Department prepares for upcoming projects

Adalia Garza | THE RIDER

After a long pause on live performances due to COVID-19 protocols, the UTRGV Theatre Department will host a series of virtual performances this semester. 

What seemed like a halt in production was actually a sequence of work relayed through other avenues in performance. Peter Mikolasky, interim chair and associate professor of the Theatre Department, explained how students were able to expand the use of their talent into other aspects of performance.  

“We have film, radio, voice elements, we have all these other elements and genres and ways to go about doing this,” Mikolasky said. “I think we have really opened ourselves up to other avenues that we can pursue on a yearly and seasonal basis instead of just doing live theater performances.” 

This semester, performances will be hosted through a streaming service known as Vimeo. Most of their past productions and future productions will be posted for the audience to view online. 

Mikolasky noted upcoming virtual events happening within UTRGV Theatre and the Latino Theatre Initiatives, which is an organization on campus. 

“This spring, for example, the Latino Theatre Initiatives have just finished their filming, and they have a show that they are sending their play to a Canadian theatre festival,” he said. “People can watch that and support the theatre. Professor [Jennifer] Saxton is working on [the] “Out of the Canon” series of monologues and scenes that we’re in development for right now. We also have two more productions happening after Spring Break. One of them is the directing showcase, like we had in the fall, and then a second showcase, which will lead us into the summer.” 

Priscylla Guzman, mass communication senior and vice president of the Latino Theatre Initiatives organization, said the upcoming virtual theatre festival is a comeback.  

“This was the comeback because this was the first time students were coming back together to do something, even if it meant we were wearing masks in the show and were apart,” Guzman said. “The festival starts next week. … You buy the link for $5 and that link will work from the start of the festival to the end.” 

Students, patrons, and staff are encouraged to support the UTRGV theatre and Latino Theatre Initiatives by viewing the performances on Vimeo. 

Alexandra Gonzalez, UTRGV Theatre business manager, said the department intends to reach more people through an online format. 

“We are trying to get the word out as best as possible,” she said. “Since it is not an in-person event, we are hoping that it will be able to reach more people. Since it is streaming, they can watch it anytime that it is streaming. Everything on Vimeo is free of charge, the only exception is the LTI event.” 

To support the UTRGV Theatre and LTI, students can access recorded plays free of charge through the link to their Vimeo accounts. To view recorded plays by the Theatre Department, click here.

LTI will also participate in the Festival De La Bête Noire, which showcases several theatre organizations across the world.  To purchase tickets for the Festival De La Bête Noire, click here.