Department of Theatre and Dance Receives Multiple URTA Awards

Throughout the 2022-2023 academic year, the UTEP Department of Theatre & Dance has been the recipient of several esteemed accolades from the University Resident Theater Association (URTA). This organization is devoted to developing programs and services that cater to the needs of university theaters, training programs, and individual artists. The URTA Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Training, was presented to visiting assistant professor Marissa Diaz and the department for their instrumental role in preparing Kassia Curl, a 2022 UTEP alum, for the URTAs, an annual recruiting event for the prospective MFA students. Curl is now pursuing her MFA in Lighting Design at UC Irvine.

Additionally, the department has also been honored with the institutional award in Design & Technology and the Candidate Award which grants one UTEP student free registration for the URTA Auditions & Interviews. These Excellence Awards serve to recognize the accomplishments of both individuals and institutions whose students exhibit exceptional talent and professionalism.

By bestowing these awards, URTA aims to underscore the importance of nurturing the essential skills required for young theatre artists to advance to the next stage of their training and ultimately thrive in the profession. Tony Hagopian, the Executive Director of this organization, expressed his gratitude to UTEP for its dedication to enhancing the theatrical and entertainment fields. He commended the university’s commitment to the excellent training of new artists, stating, "Congratulations and thank you for your work in elevating the theatrical and entertainment fields through your dedication to the excellent training of new artists." The recipients of these awards will be officially recognized during the 2024 URTA Auditions and Interviews, which will take place in Chicago, Illinois in January 2024.