UTEP DEPARTMENT THEATRE AND DANCE

Accomplishments & Achievements

Latest Recognition

The University Resident Theatre Association 2021 Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Training has been awarded to Interim Chair and Professor for sound and technology, Hideaki Tsutsui.

More on the URTA website at the following link: URTA 2021 Awards

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival - Region VI Awards and Acknowledgements

Super by Hallie Borden

Irene Ryan Nominations

Catarina Gutierrez

Annie Castillo

Sidnee Josephine Coder

Meritorious Achievements

University of Texas El Paso for Support of New Work

University of Texas El Paso for Outstanding Theatre Adaptability

Brian Ceely, Outstanding Performance

Kassia Curl, Outstanding Lighting Design

Rafa Perez, Outstanding and Inventive Audience Development

Julian Escobedo, Innovative Sound Design

Andrew Ramirez, Innovative Original Composition

Cenicienta by Caroline Reck and Rupert Reyes

Irene Ryan Nomination

Carolina Flores Parada

Meritorious Achievements

University of Texas at El Paso, Theatre Accessibility

Kassia Curl, Outstanding Lighting Design

Genesis Barraza, Outstanding Costume Design

Ruben Villa, Outstanding Properties Design and Outstanding Scenic Design

This play is being held in consideration for invitation to the regional festival.

Lysistrata adapted by Jay Stratton

Irene Ryan Nominations

Hallie Borden

Allison Bristol

Meritorious Achievements

Andrea Taman, Outstanding Performance

Aaron Herrera, Outstanding Performance

The Cast of Lysistrata, Ensemble Acting 

Student Accomplishments & Achievements

Current Students

Larry Ortiz
BFA Technology & Design
Stage Crew at Santa Fe Opera

Cassie Soto
BFA Stage Management 2022
2021 Summer Internship at Lyric Repertory Theatre in Logan, Utah

Sarah Curtis
BA Theatre Education 2021
KCACTF Region 6 Student Directing Initiative Fellow

Alumni

Anthony Michael Stokes 
BFA Performance 2008
EPISD Teacher of the Year 2017- 2018

Don Cieslik 
BFA Technology & Design 2009
Working Video Programmer in New York City

Miriam Mendoza
BFA Stage Management 2016
MFA Stage Management at UC-Irvine 2021

Gabriela E Moreno
BFA Dance 2016
Currently on the First National Tour of Escape to Margaritaville

Marissa Diaz 
BFA Technology & Design 2016
MFA Lighting Design at UC-Irvine 2019
Worked with First Circle Design Inc. Architectural Lighting Company from 2018 - 2020
Currently a Visiting Assistant Professor and the Lighting and Sound Shop Supervisor at UTEP

Adrian Salas
BFA Lighting Design/Stage Management 2016
In addition to being the Head of Lighting, Sound, and Video Tech at PSAV, he also went on to become a Shop Foreman with Brite Ideas at Complete Technical Solutions in Orange County 

Abel Garcia
BFA Performance 2016
MFA Acting at UC-Irvine 2021

Oliver Dominguez
BFA Dance 2017
Co-Founder - FAWNZ Dance Company

Gabriella Torres
BFA Performance 2017
MFA  Acting at Juilliard 2021

Merle DeWitt
BFA Technology & Design 2018
MFA Lighting Design at UC-Irvine 2021

Jesus Lopez Vargas
BFA Stage Management 2018
MFA Stage Management at UC-Irvine 2021
Co-wrote & Co-directed a devised project with Transversal Theater Company & Dawar Arts in Cairo, Egypt - No Erasure, April 2021
Became the Associate Creative Producer for Transversal Theater Company
Produced the nation wide initiative for young industry professionals and students "Re-Creating the Stage" with KB Theatre - report published by UCI, 2020
Produced multiple video & film projects with MOON Collective in the past two years: Distance in its Movement, Zu Sein, Duality Broken, WWW, Symptoms 20, etc.
Wrote & Directed a performance installation piece at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA - In This Light | There is Silence, February 2019

Brandon Ray Alba
BFA Dance 2018
Co-Founder & Artistic Director - FAWNZ Dance Company

Nita Mendoza
BFA Technology & Design 2018
MFA Lighting Design at UC-Irvine 2021

Cynthia Alvarez
BFA Performance 2018
MFA Acting at UCLA 2021

Katie Harding 
BFA Dance 2019
Development Associate at Jacob's Pillow 

Lauren Wagner
BFA Performance 2019
Production Assistant at TheatreSquared

Gabriel Franco Kull
BFA Performance 2019
MFA Acting Candidate at University of Arkansas

Ana Miramontes
BFA Performance 2019
MFA Acting Candidate at University of Arkansas

Jorge Blakely
BFA Musical Theatre 2020
2021 Company Dancer at TEXAS - The Musical
Currently in NYC at Open Jar Institute Residency

Juan Ontiveros
BFA Technology & Design 2020
Scene Shop Foreman at UTEP

Itzel Martinez
BFA Technology & Design 2020
KCACTF Region 6 Aspire Fellow

Chris Morere
BFA Technology & Design 2020
Production Crew at Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Scenic Designer for PRF 2021 Christmas Show

Alex Ringering
BFA Technology & Design 2020
Sound & Lighting Design for various productions at the UTEP Dinner Theatre, Wise Family Theatre and Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall
Currently the Technical Supervisor at the Office of Special Events at UTEP

Victor Maldonado
BFA Technology & Design 2021
Accepted to the University of Iowa MFA program in Lighting Design, receiving assistance and fellowship

Ian Gilliam
BFA Technology & Design 2021
Audio/Video Apprenticeship at Santa Fe Opera

Isabelle Rivera
BFA Musical Theatre 2021
KCACTF Region 6 Aspire Fellow