UCR TFDP

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The official page for UCR’s very own Theatre, Film, and Digital Production department.

09/24/2026

Join us TONIGHT for our annual Fall Welcome Event at 7:00 PM in the University Theatre. By joining, you’ll get to know our faculty, lecturers, TAs, production staff, academic advisors, and student organizations. We’ll also be giving you information on this year’s season, auditions, and production opportunities!

New to UCR? We’ll also offer tips on how to successfully navigate life at UCR and in our department.

All TFDP majors/minors are strongly encouraged to attend, even if you have attended in previous years.

📆 September 24, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 University Theatre

09/16/2026

CALL FOR CREW

OPEN TO CURRENTLY ENROLLED TFDP MAJORS/MINORS WHO ARE IN GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING AND NEED AT LEAST 4 PRODUCTION UNITS

TWELFTH NIGHT
A play by William Shakespeare
Directed by Melanie Queponds

This production and all crew calls will take place in person on the UCR campus in the fall quarter. Previous crew experience is not required.

Crew positions will be assigned based on signup list timestamp. Signup link and more information can be found on our Linktree.

All students will be notified whether they have been placed on crew by the end of the day on September 18th or sooner.

09/11/2026

AUDITIONS

OPEN TO ALL UCR STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF MAJOR

TWELFTH NIGHT
A play by William Shakespeare
Directed by Melanie Queponds

Shipwrecked on a strange shore and separated from her twin, Viola disguises herself and plunges into a whirlwind of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and sharp-witted comedy in William Shakespeare’s classic play.

Friday, September 25, 2026 5:00 PM-9:00 PM
Studio Theatre (ARTS 113)
Callbacks: Saturday, September 26, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Needed: 12 cast members.

Melanie Queponds will be hosting a “meet the director” session on Wednesday, September 23rd from 6:30-7:30 PM in Zoom. This is not required, but you Re welcome to come say hello and ask questions about the show.
All students should sign up for an audition slot will receive the Zoom link to this session.

Audition info can be found on our Linktree or the UCR PUBB.

06/16/2026

On Sunday June 21, Bella Merlin, Miles Anderson and UCR production manager Ben Tusher fly to Munich, to perform as part of the 100th anniversary of the Theatre Studies department at the Ludwig-Maximilian University. This invitation came from Professor Dr. David Roesner, the sound designer/composer for TILLY NO-BODY, whose mother (and celebrated author), Margret Greiner, originally helped them with archival research on the Wedekinds and translations of Tilly’s autobiography. Taking Tilly’s story back to her final resting place in Munich feels very poignant.

Bella writes:

“While Tilly’s husband Frank Wedekind is extremely well-known throughout Europe and theatre circles, Tilly’s story is far less familiar. I’m excited for the post-show discussions and to understand how it will resonate for audiences having Tilly’s experience foregrounded, as part of our ongoing intent to give voice to women’s stories...My own experience of domestic violence in my 20s has always been complicated to navigate. Yet through TILLY NO-BODY - and the encouragement of Sheva Carr, CEO of Heart Ambassadors and the Fyera Foundation - it has become evident that Tilly’s story (informed by my own experiences as an actress and woman) resonates with people in all kinds of unexpected and illuminating ways. We all have serious work to do as theatrical storytellers.”

Shortly after Munich the show heads to London for the three-week run at the Arcola Theatre. Book your tickets now at our Linktree!

Prior to opening night, Bella and Miles will be part of the BBC Radio show, “The Make A Difference Show” with Gaby Roslin Sunday July 5. They will discuss the ways in which live theatre provides a medium for sharing stories and making connections to those parts of people’s lives that are not always easy to voice.

(Image: Wikicommons)

06/09/2026

⭐️UCR AT THE 2026 TONY AWARDS⭐️

Actor and singer-songwriter—and UCR TFDP Alumni—Hana Bookman attends the 2026 Tony Awards with partner Roman Zaragoza (Ghosts).

06/04/2026

Introducing: New Works Festival Playwright Gabby Chavez!

TFDP sat down with Gabby Chavez to talk about fraternities, the need for community, and some of the seeds of inspiration for her new play Coyote Hazing!

JUNE 5 | 7:00 PM | ARTS Studio Theatre
COYOTE HAZING by Gabby Chavez | Directed by Courtney Ulrich

Forced to survive a night on a secluded mountain top, four pledges will sacrifice everything to prove that they are worthy of being part of the most esteemed fraternity on campus: Zeta Kappa Phi.

Featuring: Hayden Harbison, Winter Johnson, Sebastian Ocampo, Aaron Tackwood, Kyle Whan
Dramaturgy: Colin Loveland and Baylee Muise

‼️Content warning: Violence and conversations of su***de.

Free and Open to the Public

Video footage by Triniti Jelks
Edited by Cruz Tapia, Matthew Harmon, and Erica Tsuei

06/03/2026

The New Works Festival is right around the corner! Be sure to come support your fellow actors and production crew this week with 2 nights of original, creative works by our MFA playwrights. 🎭

New Works Festival
By UCR MFA Playwrights
June 3 & 5
ARTS Studio Theatre

Free and open to the public.
Livestream links can be found on our Linktree.

June 3 | 7:00 PM
BEASTHOOD by Emma Winiarski | Directed by Carly DW Bones

In rural Massachusetts, four tween girls attending a Catholic wilderness survival camp must band together to save their kidnapped counselors while navigating their coming-of-age and far-fetched dreams.

Featuring: River Burnash, Yennie Cannon, Abby Lazar, Juliette Lazard
Dramaturgy: Ammie Jergenson and Josephine Wang

June 5 | 7:00 PM
COYOTE HAZING by Gabby Chavez | Directed by Courtney Ulrich

Forced to survive a night on a secluded mountain top, four pledges will sacrifice everything to prove that they are worthy of being part of the most esteemed fraternity on campus: Zeta Kappa Phi.

Featuring: Hayden Harbison, Winter Johnson, Sebastian Ocampo, Aaron Tackwood, Kyle Whan
Dramaturgy: Colin Loveland and Baylee Muise

Content warning: Violence and conversations of su***de.
Content warning: Strong language and tense situations.

Photos and collage by Erica Tsuei

06/01/2026

Introducing: New Works Festival Playwright Emma Winiarski!

TFDP sat down with Winiarski to talk about her childhood experiences at a survival camp, the need for nostalgia as we grow up, and her new play Beasthood! 🪶

***

JUNE 3 | 7:00 PM | ARTS Studio Theatre
BEASTHOOD by Emma Winiarski | Directed by Carly DW Bones 🌲

In rural Massachusetts, four tween girls attending a Catholic wilderness survival camp must band together to save their kidnapped counselors while navigating their coming-of-age and far-fetched dreams.

Featuring: River Burnash, Yennie Cannon, Abby Lazar, Juliette Lazard
Dramaturgy: Ammie Jergenson and Josephine Wang

‼️Content warning: Strong language and tense situations

Free and Open to the Public

Video footage by Triniti Jelks
Edited by Cruz Tapia & Matthew Harmon

05/28/2026

UCR’s Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production presents…

NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
By UCR MFA Playwrights

June 3 & 5, 2026
Wednesday and Friday, 7:00pm
ARTS Studio Theatre

Wheeled devices, including but not limited to skateboards, scooters, and bicycles, are prohibited inside TFDP performance venues and may not be stored in the lobby or adjacent interior spaces.

This two-night event brings student playwrights, student actors, and student dramaturgs into process with professional directors to model the rigor, curiosity, collaboration, and revision required at a professional level to give new plays life! More information can be found on our Linktree.

Free and open to the public.

JUNE 3 | 7:00 PM
BEASTHOOD by Emma Winiarski | Directed by Carly DW Bones 🌲

In rural Massachusetts, four tween girls attending a Catholic wilderness survival camp must band together to save their kidnapped counselors while navigating their coming-of-age and far-fetched dreams.

Featuring: River Burnash, Yennie Cannon, Abby Lazar, Juliette Lazard
Dramaturgy: Ammie Jergenson and Josephine Wang

‼️Content warning: Strong language and tense situations.

JUNE 5 | 7:00 PM
COYOTE HAZING by Gabby Chavez | Directed by Courtney Ulrich

Forced to survive a night on a secluded mountain top, four pledges will sacrifice everything to prove that they are worthy of being part of the most esteemed fraternity on campus: Zeta Kappa Phi. 🔥

Featuring: Hayden Harbison, Winter Johnson, Sebastian Ocampo, Aaron Tackwood, Kyle Whan
Dramaturgy: Colin Loveland and Baylee Muise

‼️Content warning: Violence and conversations of su***de.

📺Livestream links can be found on our Linktree.

Poster design by Erica Tsuei & Cruz Tapia

05/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to watch our spring production of Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea! Congratulations once again to the cast and production crew for creating such an incredible and successful show!! 🎉🌧️☂️

SOMETIMES THE RAIN, SOMETIMES THE SEA
By Julia Izumi

Photos by Shuaitong Lu
Collage by Erica Tsuei

Address

900 University Avenue
Riverside, CA
92521

Website

http://linktr.ee/ucrtfdp

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