FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Kerryn Negus
Director of Advancement & External Relations
School of Theatre, Film & Television
(520) 626-1405 | knegus@email.arizona.edu

New online program from School of Theatre, Film & Television connects award-winning faculty with high school students

TUCSON, AZ [May 1, 2020] – The University of Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film & Television has launched UArizona Virtual Theatre Labs, an innovative new online program designed to inspire high school students and help them grow as artists. The series, covering a range of theatre-related topics, provides an opportunity for high schoolers to engage virtually with faculty members from the School’s Acting & Musical Theatre and Design & Technical Production divisions.

Taking place April 30 – May 11 via closed zoom meetings, the Labs will cover topics including dance, scenic design processes, costume design and technology, career options, dialects, vocal health, technical direction overview, and sound design workshops. The one-hour Labs are free for high school students across Tucson.

Assistant Professor of Scenic Design and 2020 USITT Rising Star Award winner Joe Klug was a driving force in the development of the Virtual Theatre Labs. “As faculty, we knew the stay-at-home order was affecting more than just our University students, and wanted to make a difference,” said Joe. “We had spent time migrating our University Classes online, and it made us realize that we could do something similar with some of the workshops that we teach at conferences around the country. The goal was to connect with as many students as possible, and provide a unique opportunity for them to learn, discover, and grow as artists. Kicking off the Labs yesterday was absolutely amazing. They were filled with eager young professionals, excited to learn, explore, and ask questions. Hopefully this is a program that we can continue to grow and implement in the future.”

The fully subscribed UArizona Virtual Theatre Lab schedule is as follows.

Scenic Design Journey: Process Overview | April 30 | 1pm
Taught by Joe C. Klug, Assistant Professor of Scenic Design
In this workshop students will take an in-depth look at the scenic design process from start to finish. They will get to look at examples of professional materials and the various tools and materials scenic designers use to communicate the design choices of a production.

We Got the Beat — Musical Theatre Dance | April 30 | 2pm
Taught by Christie Kerr, Assistant Professor – Musical Theatre
Are you ready to dance? We’ll start with a quick warm-up, then learn choreography from the Broadway musical. This is a fun musical theatre dance workshop for all levels. Wear comfortable clothes and be ready to work and have fun!

Speaking Like a Brit | May 1 | 1pm
Taught by David Morden, Associate Professor – Voice and Movement
A one-hour class learning the British dialect. We will talk about the differences between American and British English and then map out how to take on the Standard British dialect – for a role or just for fun!

Overview of TD Process | May 4 | 10am
Taught by Ted Kraus, Associate Professor of Technical Direction
This Lab covers the path scenic design takes from the designer’s drawings to the stage, and covers bidding materials, creating schedules, and an overview of the technical design process.

Costuming as a Career | May 5 | 1pm
Taught by Rick Tuckett, Associate Professor of Costume Technology
Making costumes isn’t just a hobby for Halloween or Cosplay. Learn about career opportunities designing and making costumes for live performance, film, television, theme parks, and other areas of the entertainment industry.

Musical Theatre Sound Design | May 6 | 1pm
Taught by Matt Marcus, Instructor of Sound Design
Simple (mostly) non-technical strategies for achieving better sound for your musical theatre productions.

QLab Demystified | May 7 | 1pm (1.5 Hours)
Taught by Matt Marcus, Instructor of Sound Design
A walk through QLab theatre sound playback software. Basics of the interface, and common programming practices.

Scene Shop Structure | May 8 | 10am
Taught by Ted Kraus, Associate Professor of Technical Direction
This Lab covers the shop structure in a typical production shop, and review some typical construction drawings.

Sing with Dr. Smokovich | May 11 | 10am
Taught by Dr. Emily Smokovich, Assistant Professor of Voice
Dr. Smokovich will demonstrate and discuss vocal health tips and multi-functional vocal warm-ups to help students optimize their practicing and performance.

About the School of Theatre, Film & Television
The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) aims to nurture and develop outstanding artists and scholars by providing rigorous training and mentoring by internationally recognized faculty, excellent internship opportunities, industry-standard resources, and hands-on production experience. TFTV offers comprehensive training programs that aim to prepare students to succeed in a wide range of careers – in the industry, the arts, and higher education. Each year through Arizona Repertory Theatre productions, the Studio Series, and Film & Television screenings, students of TFTV are able to showcase their talents, tell compelling stories, and provide clear results of what happens in their classrooms and studios. The TFTV Film & Television program was ranked #25 among U.S. film schools by The Wrap’s “Top 50 Film Schools,” and the School’s Theatre programs regularly rank in Onstage’s “Top 30 College Musical Theatre Programs” and “Top 30 College Theatre Design & Tech Programs,” making UA one of the top places to study theatre and film.

IDIWS Sneak Peek: NOSTALGIATHON '99 by Cailan Compierchio. After losing their practice space, an inexperienced riot grrrl band's skills and friendships are tested as they attempt to throw an epic final show for their entire town.

"Going into this process, I knew I wanted to do something that was weird, funny, and featured strong female friendships (three phrases that also describe the past four years of my life here in Tucson)," reflected writer/director Cailan Compierchio . "Nostalgiathon '99 was conceived as a pastiche of 90s/early 2000s comedies, so a lot of those were huge influences. Stylistically, we were drawn to the aesthetics of skate videos and stoner buddy comedies. Narratively, we drew inspiration from large ensemble pieces of the time, like Clerks ('94), Dazed and Confused ('93), Slacker ('90), and Empire Records ('95). In terms of my broader career, the person who made me realize I wanted to be a writer was Tina Fey, and her work on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock."

Premiering at I Dream in Widescreen 2025! More info and tickets at idiw.tftv.arizona.edu.

$5 | May 10 at 7pm | Fox Tucson Theatre
Doors open at 6pm. Arrive early to ensure your seat! ... See MoreSee Less

13 hours ago

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IDIWS Sneak Peek: THE GRIT OF IT ALL by Alek Mendez. In 1988 Arizona, Detective James, a man struggling with past trauma, is assigned to investigate a grisly murder in “Las Sombras”, an abandoned western show town.

“Throughout my journey in film school, I’ve been drawn to narratives exploring complex human emotions and psychological themes. With ‘The Grit of It All,’ I wanted to harness those interests into something distinctly cinematic—a story about confronting trauma, guilt, and repressed emotion, layered beneath psychological horror. The film was more than just another assignment; it was an artistic pursuit where I could authentically showcase my voice and vision as a filmmaker,” says writer/director Alek Mendez.

Premiering at I Dream in Widescreen 2025! More info and tickets at idiw.tftv.arizona.edu.

$5 | May 10 at 7pm | Fox Tucson Theatre
Doors open at 6pm. Arrive early to ensure your seat! ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago

IDIWS Sneak Peek: PARALLEL LINES by Neylani Castro. Two strangers repeatedly cross paths without noticing, until a brush between them unveils the invisible thread of their intertwined fates.

“I’ve always been a firm believer that everything we live through and every person we meet has a purpose, nothing is ever a coincidence. The concepts of fate, in-yun, the invisible string theory, and past lives have always intrigued me. Friendships, romantic relationships, and the family you are born into all consist of fate,” reflects writer/director Neylani Castro. “My dad is from Caimanero, Sinaloa. He was invited by his cousin to come to this retreat in Nogales, Sonora - 9 hours from where he lived. There he saw my mom for the first time. My dad says he felt a pull, a sort of magnetism towards my mom. At the end of the first day the new members were asked to pick out of a bowl who will be their guide for the rest of the retreat. When my dad picked out the paper, my mom’s name was written on it. My parents were two parallel lines, and when the time was right their fates intertwined.”

Premiering at I Dream in Widescreen 2025! More info and tickets at idiw.tftv.arizona.edu.

$5 | May 10 at 7pm | Fox Tucson Theatre
Doors open at 6pm. Arrive early to ensure your seat! ... See MoreSee Less

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IDIWS Sneak Peek: THE GLASS PLANET by Gaël Baup. A young astronaut defies all odds to search for his long-lost father on a perilous, uncharted glass planet—an unforgiving world where no one has ever returned, and where he must confront both the planet’s dangers and the haunting mystery of his father’s disappearance.

"It was one of my dream films to make since I was 10 years old ... It is the most ambitious project I have made so far, we got to travel with my crew to Page, Arizona and make our own space suit and shoot in amazing locations with a crew and cast of 4 people," says writer/director Gaël Baup.

The short film version of THE GLASS PLANET will be premiering at I Dream in Widescreen 2025 - a feature length version is currently in production! More info and tickets at idiw.tftv.arizona.edu.

$5 | May 10 at 7pm | Fox Tucson Theatre
Doors open at 6pm. Arrive early to ensure your seat! ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

IDIWS Sneak Peek: PIZZA GUY RETURNS by Philip D. Summers. A timid pizza delivery guy unknowingly interrupts a cult meeting and must fight for his survival as interdimensional chaos ensues.

"'Pizza Guy Returns' is a remake of the first short film I ever made: 'Pizza Guy'. When I was 15, my high school friends and I made the original film in my dad's garage with an iPhone 6 and old Halloween decorations. I decided to screen the film at a party later that year, and to my complete surprise, my friends and parents loved it. And from that moment on, I have been working on honing my skills as a writer, director, costumer, props master, set designer, and even actor both independently and through my BFA degree here at the U of A. Before I was even accepted into the BFA program, I knew EXACTLY which film I would make as my thesis: Pizza Guy...Returns! With the script pulling thematic inspiration from actual life events that I have endured and through the extreme dedication and creativity of my team, I have been able to bring my dream to life," says writer/director Philip D. Summers.

Premiering at I Dream in Widescreen 2025! More info and tickets at idiw.tftv.arizona.edu.

$5 | May 10 at 7pm | Fox Tucson Theatre
Doors open at 6pm. Arrive early to ensure your seat! ... See MoreSee Less

3 days ago

IDIWS Sneak Peek: PLAY PRETEND by Jordan Fouts. A down on her luck party princess is given one more chance to keep her job after a gig goes horribly wrong.

"For my thesis film, I wanted to tell a story that reflected something significant to my college experience. Being a party princess has been a major part of my journey at the University of Arizona - for the past three years I have been part of a student organization that strives to bring the type of performance seen in my film to children in our Southern Arizona community. But I knew my film couldn’t be just about bright colors and fancy ball gowns. I wanted it to speak to something deeper ... so in this film, through the lens of this party princess, I hope to celebrate the lesser known artist, the one who may not be the most recognized, but whose art has more value and impact on the people around them than they realize," says writer/director Jordan Fouts.

Premiering at I Dream in Widescreen 2025! More info and tickets at idiw.tftv.arizona.edu.

$5 | May 10 at 7pm | Fox Tucson Theatre
Doors open at 6pm. Arrive early to ensure your seat! ... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago