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

The School of Theatre, Film & Television at the University of Arizona presents 8th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium

TUCSON, AZ – The School of Theatre, Film & Television is proud to present the 8th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, an event which showcases outstanding research papers of the School’s undergraduate students. This year the event has pivoted to online.

Over the course of several days starting Wednesday April 15, the research papers of thirteen student finalists will be made available to read at urs.tftv.arizona.edu.

The symposium will conclude on April 24 with an announcement of prizes for student winners from each of the four panels. The URS schedule of events is as follows:

URS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Panel 1 | The Savage Domestic | April 15, 2020

Sophia Goodin, BFA Theatre Production – Professional Actor Training
- She Persists: An Examination of Women’s Roles in Classical Drama
Maggie McNeil, BFA Theatre Production – Professional Actor Training
- Buon Giorno, Commedia dell’Arte!
Linda Paola Varela Sánchez, BFA Film & Television
- Sexploitation Statements: Analyzing Films by Doris Wishman

Panel 2 | Violence and Entertainment | April 17, 2020

Kate Gross, BA Film & Television
- An Analysis of Ethics and Morality in Spielberg’s Wartime Dramas
Zoe Keeter, BA Theatre Studies
- Safety in Blood
Hannah Landreville Miller, BA Film & Television
- ‘Born on the Fourth of July’: Oliver Stone and the Vietnam War
Tyler Godowski, BA Theatre Studies
- Theatre in Chains: The Influence of Slavery on the Theatre

Panel 3 | Making a Movement | April 20, 2020

Joann Kohng, BA Film & Television
- Korean New Wave: The Influence of South Korean Cinema Following International Success
Abigail Dunscomb, BA Theatre Studies
- A World With and Without Will
Tiffany Gordon, BA Theatre Studies
- Ain’t it Funny: Marginalized and Mute

Panel 4 | Resistances | April 22, 2020

Megan Wiese, BFA Theatre Production – Design and Technical Production
- Justice and Mercy: History and Religious Ambiguity in Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’
Aria Levin, BA Theatre Studies
- Spotlight on Social Change: Bringing the People to the Stage
Bergen Borer, BA Film & Television
- Resistance in Beyoncé’s ‘Formation’

Announcement of URS 2020 Winners | April 24, 2020

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 #20 among U.S. film schools by The Wrap’s “Top 50 Film Schools,” making UA one of the top places to study theatre and film.

Join us for Magic Hour 🎬✨

Tonight we’ll debut ten new short fiction films made by TFTV students in back-to-back screenings in the Marroney Theatre at 6pm and 8pm.

• THE PAINTER – Written by Clinton Willis, Directed by Mike Choi & Clinton Willis
• BETWEEN THE LINES – Written & Directed by Litzy Carrasco, Cinematography by Angelica Pelaez
• SAVING CLEMENTINE – Written, Directed, & Produced by Steven Saldaña & David J. Aberle
• THE DANCER – Written by Sean Leeman, Directed & Produced by Sarah Astrowsky
• STUFFED – Written by Ashley Courter, Directed & Edited by Ashley Courter & Danielle Norris
• ACTION MAN – Written, Directed & Produced by Donovan Heaney & Elias Rice Bensch
• MY OTHER HALF – Written & Directed by Lindsey Policar & Brent Cesolini
• LOCKED OUT! – Written & Directed by Brady McDowell, Produced by Emory Johnson & Brady McDowell
• BACKROADS – Written & Directed by Marcus Thomas, Produced by Marcus Thomas & Garrett Heﬀelfinger
• 1, 2, 3… DATE! – Written & Directed by Kaitlyn Liddicoat & Geen Lee

The 8pm screening will be followed by a short Q&A with the filmmakers hosted by The Loft Cinema’s Jeff Yanc.

May 14
Back-to-back screenings at 6pm and 8pm
Marroney Theatre
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On May 10, filmmakers from TFTV’s Class of 2025 screened their senior thesis films for a completely sold out audience at I Dream in Widescreen! Along with the filmmakers, we were excited to welcome to the Fox Tucson Theatre their families, cast and crew, industry guests, sponsors, TFTV faculty, staff and students, and countless community supporters. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible!

Huge congratulations to all of our filmmakers on this incredible achievement. We cannot wait to see where your paths take you next!

Missed the in-person event but still want to catch the films from the Class of 2025? Watch them all for a limited time on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/_07CFZnutrg.

Photos by Julius Schlosburg. ... See MoreSee Less

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Sarah Astrowsky’s film REMEMBER OUR LEGACY has been officially selected to screen next month at the Hot Springs International Women's Film Festival, where it is also a Finalist in the Student Film category.

The story of REMEMBER OUR LEGACY is close to Sarah’s heart. The film is a tribute to her great-grandmother, Mania Lichtenstein, who survived unimaginable horrors during the Holocaust, and whose strength has shaped the lives of each subsequent generation of Sarah’s family. “My hope is that her story inspires viewers to recognize the power of resilience and the beauty of carrying forward those who came before us,” says Sarah.

The short film was created in TFTV’s Documentary Production Class and first debuted in December at the What’s Up Docs showcase. Congratulations Sarah!

Catch Sarah’s latest film THE DANCER, co-created with Sean Leeman, this week at Magic Hour! ... See MoreSee Less

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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

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

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El mejor Director el Mejor cortometraje felicidades Alek Mendez lo hiciste Excelente ❤️❤️❤️

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