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Home › News & Events › News › ‘Born Singing at the Top of My Lungs’: Roxanna Denise Stevens Ibarra (’20) Brings Her Culture to Song and Screen

‘Born Singing at the Top of My Lungs’: Roxanna Denise Stevens Ibarra (’20) Brings Her Culture to Song and Screen

September 17, 2021
Stevens Ibarra graduated with a bachelor’s degree in film and television in the spring of 2020, and will complete her music education degree in December. Carlos Moreno/Campus Brand Engagement

Roxanna Denise Stevens Ibarra was born into a musical family and picked up the hobby quickly, but not quietly.

“My whole family loves karaoke, so I was born singing at the top of my lungs,” said Stevens Ibarra , a senior in the University of Arizona’s Fred Fox School of Music. “I didn’t know what singing well was; I just knew that louder was better.”

Initially, music was a hobby for Stevens Ibarra. Going to school in Tucson and spending summers with family in Mexico, she didn’t see a practical path to making a career out of the arts. One of three children raised by two parents who grew up in Mexico, Stevens Ibarra wanted a career that would allow her to help support her family.

“I grew up seeing my dad work really hard selling and delivering charcoal and coming back covered in dust,” Stevens Ibarra recalls. “My mom had to hose him down outside. It didn’t seem practical for me to go into music. I felt like it would be almost disrespectful, given the work my parents put in.”

Her outlook changed during her search for a college. Her auditions and applications to study music and film and television at the University of Arizona attracted scholarship offers that made a future in fine arts more viable.

Stevens Ibarra graduated with a bachelor’s degree in film and television from the School of Theatre, Film & Television in the spring of 2020, and will complete her music education degree in December.

Telling Stories Through Music

Stevens Ibarra traces her love of music to her great-grandmother, who was a Holocaust survivor. Despite hardships, her “GG,” as she is affectionately known, found a way to keep family traditions and stories alive by sharing music she had memorized that had been passed down through generations. That music ultimately reached Stevens Ibarra, who was inspired to take piano lessons before ultimately settling on violin, which is her instrument of choice.

Stevens Ibarra faced hurdles in her music education, due in large part to underfunding at her high school. She found herself practicing on borrowed instruments, but thanks to what she calls “an insane amount of intervention” from a handful of teachers who recognized her talent and passion, she was able to achieve her goals.

Stevens Ibarra hopes to pay that help forward to students of her own. She is now finishing her student teaching requirements through UArizona and has accepted a full-time teaching position at Wakefield Middle School in Tucson.

One way to cultivate appreciation for music’s rich and diverse history, she says, is to show students how music passed down through different cultures impacts what they listen to today.

“Students, for example, are not learning nearly enough about sub-Saharan African drum rhythms, but they most certainly are learning about Mozart,” she said. “Students aren’t rocking out to Mozart. They’re listening to Cardi B and singing along to Tobi Lou. They’re adapting to this new form of rhythm in music, which is derivative of sub-Saharan African rhythms. We’re not learning about something that we’re hearing all the time, but we’re learning about Mozart.”

‘Seeing Myself on Screen’

Stevens Ibarra grew up embracing her family and community traditions, but she noticed she was not seeing people who looked like her or her family on television or in movies. Mexican culture was being depicted, she says, but not accurately.

“It’s normally Mexican drug cartels or novellas where some beautiful blonde woman and a buff white guy are together on a horse,” she said. “That’s not something I know. I’ve never really seen my family represented on the screen.”

Stevens Ibarra set out to change that with her UArizona senior thesis film “Tesoro,” about an elderly man reliving his memories as he prepares to sell his car to make ends meet. She said the film is, in some ways, a collage of snippets from stories her family would tell.

“Tesoro,” which premiered during the UArizona School of Theatre, Film and Television’s 2020 I Dream in Widescreen student film showcase, has since been selected for inclusion in nine film festivals, including two prominent festivals in New York this month: the New York Latino Film Festival from Sept. 14-19 and the Academy Award-qualifying Urbanworld Film Festival from Sept. 29-Oct. 3.

Film will continue to be a part of Stevens Ibarra’s professional journey in addition to music. She recently accepted a position as a film critic with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, a role in which she will review film submissions for the festival. Stevens Ibarra said she hopes “Tesoro” and the other art she creates in her career can shine a spotlight on the authentic Hispanic culture that she lives and loves.

“For too long, we’ve been considered an anomaly rather than part of a diverse, rich culture. It’s become lonely,” Stevens Ibarra said. “I think that’s why I’ve decided to become louder about it. I feel like it’s a personal responsibility to make my culture accessible through the art that I create.”

Story featured on UA News.

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CASTING CALL: Does your dog want to be a star?

We are searching for a small-medium sized well-trained dog to play Bruiser Woods in our upcoming production of LEGALLY BLONDE.

The show dates will be October 2-16 with rehearsals beginning in September (more details to follow).

If interested please contact Christie Kerr (Director) for more information: ckerr1@arizona.edu or 520-621-1324.
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6 months ago
CASTING CALL: Does your dog want to be a star?

We are searching for a small-medium sized well-trained dog to play Bruiser Woods in our upcoming production of LEGALLY BLONDE.

The show dates will be October 2-16 with rehearsals beginning in September (more details to follow).

If interested please contact Christie Kerr (Director) for more information: ckerr1@arizona.edu or 520-621-1324.
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Margie Perry!

Lisa

This weekend TREASURES BENEATH MY TREE, the senior thesis film directed by TFTV alum Alexandra Cerna ('21), screened at Comic-Con International as part of the 18th annual San Diego Children’s Film Festival. Alexandra travelled to the world-famous convention to take part in a festival panel - watch an excerpt below!

TREASURES BENEATH MY TREE has now been officially selected by nearly a dozen film festivals. Additionally, on being awarded “Best of the Fest” at the Children's Film Festival Seattle, Cerna’s film is part of the Festival’s traveling film series currently screening in cinemas around the country. Next, the film will make its European debut at Festival FILMAR en América Latina, Switzerland’s premiere festival dedicated to Latin American cinema, and Festival Ciné Junior, the biggest youth film festival in France with an annual audience of 45,000.

“I am so grateful for the success of my film nationally and internationally, and it would not be possible without TFTV's Advancement Director Kerryn Negus.” says Cerna. “She developed a film festival entry strategy tailored specifically for my film and has been mentoring me for months, encouraging me to set high standards when it comes to marketing myself and my work. I am very proud of everyone involved with 'Treasures Beneath My Tree,' and excited for its upcoming European premiere in November!"
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6 months ago
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✨ 2022/23 Theatre Season Announcement ✨

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is excited to announce our 2022/23 theatre season. A mythologically inspired play, two award-winning musicals, a world-premiere production of visual theatre, and the ultimate love story all feature in the 2022/23 theatre season. Starting October 2022, we invite you to join us on campus to be among the first to discover the next generation of outstanding theatre makers.

Hailed by Broadway World as “a stellar program to rival some of the nation’s most reputable institutions,” the UA Arizona Repertory Theatre, led by Artistic Director Hank Stratton and comprising students in the University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre, presents LEGALLY BLONDE, POLAROID STORIES, HEAD OVER HEELS and ROMEO & JULIET. The Next Performance Collective, a program of the School’s BA Theatre Studies division, will present the balance of the season with two original productions: VAUD and the second annual NEW DIRECTIONS FESTIVAL. All productions are supported by students in the UA School of Theatre, Film, and Television Design & Technical Production program.

“I am excited to welcome audiences to campus for a season that blends exciting new devised work with beloved classics of love and longing, contemporary stories of resilience and triumph, and buoyant musicals that will inspire joy at a time when our community needs it the most,” said Dr. Brant Pope, the School’s new Interim Director.

Subscription packages for TFTV’s new theatre season are now on sale in-person at the Arizona Arts Box Office, and by mail, phone, or online. Individual tickets will be available from August 23.

Get your subscription here: am.ticketmaster.com/uacfa/buy
... See MoreSee Less

7 months ago
✨ 2022/23 Theatre Season Announcement ✨

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is excited to announce our 2022/23 theatre season. A mythologically inspired play, two award-winning musicals, a world-premiere production of visual theatre, and the ultimate love story all feature in the 2022/23 theatre season. Starting October 2022, we invite you to join us on campus to be among the first to discover the next generation of outstanding theatre makers.

Hailed by Broadway World as “a stellar program to rival some of the nation’s most reputable institutions,” the UA Arizona Repertory Theatre, led by Artistic Director Hank Stratton and comprising students in the University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre, presents LEGALLY BLONDE, POLAROID STORIES, HEAD OVER HEELS and ROMEO & JULIET. The Next Performance Collective, a program of the School’s BA Theatre Studies division, will present the balance of the season with two original productions: VAUD and the second annual NEW DIRECTIONS FESTIVAL. All productions are supported by students in the UA School of Theatre, Film, and Television Design & Technical Production program.

“I am excited to welcome audiences to campus for a season that blends exciting new devised work with beloved classics of love and longing, contemporary stories of resilience and triumph, and buoyant musicals that will inspire joy at a time when our community needs it the most,” said Dr. Brant Pope, the School’s new Interim Director.

Subscription packages for TFTV’s new theatre season are now on sale in-person at the Arizona Arts Box Office, and by mail, phone, or online. Individual tickets will be available from August 23.

Get your subscription here: https://am.ticketmaster.com/uacfa/buyImage attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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Here's Assistant Professor of Practice Darnell T. Roulhac in his "The Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully" workshop at the International Thespian Festival 2022!

"The Room Where it Happens" is a masterclass-style workshop to better prepare young singers as they are auditioning for schools and shows. Participants get tips on how to pick impactful songs as well as how to get the attention of the panel one's performing for. They will also discuss 32-bar cuts and what else one should have prepared.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions!
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8 months ago
Heres Assistant Professor of Practice Darnell T. Roulhac in his The Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully workshop at the International Thespian Festival 2022!

The Room Where it Happens is a masterclass-style workshop to better prepare young singers as they are auditioning for schools and shows. Participants get tips on how to pick impactful songs as well as how to get the attention of the panel ones performing for. They will also discuss 32-bar cuts and what else one should have prepared.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions!
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Three of our University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre faculty members are spending the week in Indiana at the International Thespian Festival 2022! The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is one of the participating colleges and faculty members Christie Kerr, Darnell T Roulhac, and Hank Stratton are in attendance.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions! This year over 5,000 students are attending the festival, and our faculty members are there promoting all the TFTV degree offerings. Our faculty members are also participating in two different workshops at the festival, including 'In the Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully,' and 'Defying Gravity: Belting 101.'

They are currently located at Booth 46 if you are attending and want to chat with any of them! Thank you for your amazing recruitment work Christie, Darnell, and Hank, Bear Down!
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8 months ago
Three of our University of Arizona: Acting/Musical Theatre faculty members are spending the week in Indiana at the International Thespian Festival 2022! The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television is one of the participating colleges and faculty members Christie Kerr, Darnell T Roulhac, and Hank Stratton are in attendance.

Hosted at Indiana University, the festival is a celebration of school theatre and gathers thespians from around the globe for performances, workshops, and college auditions! This year over 5,000 students are attending the festival, and our faculty members are there promoting all the TFTV degree offerings. Our faculty members are also participating in two different workshops at the festival, including In the Room Where it Happens: Guide to Auditioning Successfully, and Defying Gravity: Belting 101.

They are currently located at Booth 46 if you are attending and want to chat with any of them! Thank you for your amazing recruitment work Christie, Darnell, and Hank, Bear Down!
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Welcome Wildcats!

On Saturday night Zach Lovvorn (BFA Film & Television ’20) walked the red carpet as a nominee at the Next Generation Indie Film Awards in Los Angeles. It’s the latest achievement for Zach and his senior thesis short IRIS, which is set in a world where everyone owns - or is owned by - a companion in the form of a sentient human eyeball. “I’m very grateful to the Next Generation Indie Film Awards for including IRIS in this year’s lineup for Best Sci-Fi Short Film!” said Zach. “It’s been a long, and often unforgiving last couple of years, so having IRIS be recognized was such a great feeling. It was an amazing opportunity and a night I’ll never forget!”

IRIS, written and directed by Zach Lovvorn and produced by Antonia Maher (BFA Film & Television ’21) and Lana Moltrop, with eyeball voiced by Alex Simpson (BFA Acting '23) has also been an official selection at the Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival in New York, the Phoenix Film Festival in Arizona, and Phoenix Shorts in Ottawa Canada, where it won Best SciFi/Fantasy Short. Last week the film was part of a special screening presented by the Bristol Science Film Festival in the UK, where it was included in a lineup of science fact or fiction films with a data science and AI theme shortlisted for the Jean Golding Institute prize.

Congratulations Zach!
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8 months ago
On Saturday night Zach Lovvorn (BFA Film & Television ’20) walked the red carpet as a nominee at the Next Generation Indie Film Awards in Los Angeles. It’s the latest achievement for Zach and his senior thesis short IRIS, which is set in a world where everyone owns - or is owned by - a companion in the form of a sentient human eyeball. “I’m very grateful to the Next Generation Indie Film Awards for including IRIS in this year’s lineup for Best Sci-Fi Short Film!” said Zach. “It’s been a long, and often unforgiving last couple of years, so having IRIS be recognized was such a great feeling. It was an amazing opportunity and a night I’ll never forget!”  
 
IRIS, written and directed by Zach Lovvorn and produced by Antonia Maher (BFA Film & Television ’21) and Lana Moltrop, with eyeball voiced by Alex Simpson (BFA Acting 23) has also been an official selection at the Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival in New York, the Phoenix Film Festival in Arizona, and Phoenix Shorts in Ottawa Canada, where it won Best SciFi/Fantasy Short. Last week the film was part of a special screening presented by the Bristol Science Film Festival in the UK, where it was included in a lineup of science fact or fiction films with a data science and AI theme shortlisted for the Jean Golding Institute prize.
 
Congratulations Zach!
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