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UTA Theatre Students Earn ACTF Recognition
Earlier this spring, students from UTA’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance earned multiple honors at the 2026 American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) in Abilene, Texas—recognition that highlights the depth of creative work emerging from the College of Liberal Arts.
For Toni Colbert (Theatre Studies & English ’26), what began as a Fall 2024 playwriting assignment evolved into a nationally recognized production.
Colbert was selected for the Playwriting Program at ACTF, where her original work, The Job, was produced during the festival. The play centers on two workers at a nameless company who, amid the monotony of their daily routines, experience an unlikely moment of solidarity.
“It’s a commentary on the mentality of working,” Colbert shared. “Sometimes working comes at a cost, but my characters never lose sight of what they’re working for.”
The selection marked a significant milestone for Colbert, who has previously earned playwriting awards, and reflected the department’s emphasis on developing original, socially resonant storytelling.
UTA’s recognition extended beyond playwriting.
The cast and production team for the November staged reading of Miss You Like Hell also earned commendations from ACTF, a national organization that celebrates excellence in collegiate theatre.
Directed by guest artist and Dallas–Fort Worth director Amanda Reyes, the production featured BFA Musical Theatre students and faculty collaborating both on stage and behind the scenes. The entire cast received a commendation for Excellence in Ensemble Performance, recognizing the strength of the group’s collective work.
Additional honors included:
- Excellence in Percussion and Performance of Manuel – Jorge Monzures
- Excellence in the Performance of Pearl – Alexis Lopez
- Excellence in Musical Direction – Professor Vicky Nooe
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominee – Gisela Garcia
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominee – Jacqueline Castillo
Garcia competed at the ACTF regional festival in Abilene as part of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship program.
Beyond artistic achievement, Miss You Like Hell also served as a fundraiser—donating proceeds to Proyecto Inmigrante and supporting the Musical Theatre program’s biennial New York City trip. The production reflected the department’s commitment to pairing performance with purpose.
Together, these honors underscore the strength of UTA’s Theatre Arts and Dance programs, where students are not only refining their craft but producing work that engages community, explores meaningful themes, and earns recognition on a national stage.