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Jenna Pastuszek is shown singing into a standing microphone with her arms outstretched in front of her.
Drama

Jenna Pastuszek Wants You to "Get Happy!"

Bringing "Get Happy!" to the Virginia Theatre Festival this summer is not just a regular performance for Jenna Pastuszek — it is a homecoming. “As I was building my own professional career … I always thought about Charlottesville,” she said. “That is every U.Va. alum’s constant question of like, how can I get back there?” Pastuszek, an alumna from Class of 2010, will be paying homage to Judy Garland July 24-27 at the Ruth Caplin Theatre, singing the iconic performer’s uptempo medleys & ingénue ballads while also incorporating personal stories in a cabaret performance she has taken to over 10 states and 20 regional theatres.

https://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025/04/jenna-pastuszek-wants-you-to-get-happy?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_featured

The cast of Into the Woods rehearses in costume and with props.
Drama

Back ‘Into the Woods’: UVA Alum Directs Magical Homecoming

After choreographing and watching the Broadway musical “Into the Woods” dozens of times, you might think University of Virginia alumnus Matthew Steffens would be tired of the show. But when Virginia Theatre Festival artistic director Jenny Wales asked Steffens if he would be interested in directing a production of “Into the Woods” for the festival’s 51st season, he jumped at the chance.

https://news.virginia.edu/content/back-woods-uva-alum-directs-magical-homecoming

A digital drawing of Cav Man waving goodbye to a student as she walks to a big city in the distance.
Drama

“History Has Its Eyes on You”: Advice for a New Generation of UVA Arts Graduates

Despite Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction, graduation weekend has arrived. From theater to media studies to even architecture, graduating arts students are soaking in their final days as University undergraduates, begging time to slow down, even considering graduate school to prolong their tenure in Charlottesville. Inevitably, however, after diplomas are received and caps tossed high above the Rotunda, these students must reckon with the ultimate question — what comes next after the University?

https://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025/05/history-has-its-eyes-on-you-advice-for-a-new-generation-of-uva-arts-graduates?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest

Collage of various performing arts photos, some including chorus performances, dance showcases, and theatre performances.

Graduating Arts Leaders Leave Lasting Legacies on Their Communities

As they prepare to walk the Lawn, graduating fourth-year leaders are leaving their mark on student arts organizations. From increased accessibility for student dancers and comedians, to a more inclusive community established in the theater and music scenes, the University’s robust arts community has undergone tremendous change under its class of 2025 leaders.

https://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025/05/graduating-arts-leaders-leave-lasting-legacies-on-their-communities?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest

Five characters from Into the Woods are posing in front of a bookshelf in a library.
Drama

Into the Woods Set to Open June 27th

The Virginia Theatre Festival will launch its 51st season with Into the Woods, the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine Tony Award-winning musical that follows some of our favorite fairy tale characters on a journey toward, and beyond, happily ever after. Into the Woods, directed and choreographed by UVA alum Matthew Steffens, who directed VTF’s highly acclaimed 2023 production Cabaret, will run from June 27-July 6. Tickets start at only $15, with $5 tickets available for children 12 and under.

https://virginiatheatrefestival.org/into-the-woods-show-announcement/

Yellow box with the word Overcranked

Overcranked Film Festival’s Final Act Was a Celebration of Year-long Endeavors

As the academic year winds to a close, students begin to reap the fruits of their labors from the previous two semesters. Some students have particularly tangible, triumphant final projects — namely those who debuted their short films Monday night to a crowd of around one hundred attendees at the Ruth Caplin Theater during the Overcranked Student Film Festival.

https://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025/05/overcranked-film-festivals-final-act-was-a-celebration-of-year-long-endeavors

Cast members Marc and Yunina shared their excitement about the production, highlighting its innovative approach.
Drama

'Hamlet' Gets a Hilarious, Modern, Queer Twist in 'Fat Ham' at Austin Playhouse

Shakespeare's classic tragedy "Hamlet" is getting a fresh, funny, and modern twist with "Fat Ham," now playing at Austin Playhouse. This unique adaptation brings a queer perspective to the timeless tale, promising audiences a theatrical experience like no other. Cast members Marc and Yunina shared their excitement about the production, highlighting its innovative approach. "It's Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' but with a funny, modern, queer twist," they said, inviting theatergoers to witness this bold reimagining.

https://cbsaustin.com/features/we-are-austin/hamlet-gets-a-hilarious-modern-queer-twist-in-fat-ham-at-austin-playhouse

The Heart Sellers with an illustration of a person in a red dress carrying a suitcase with writing on it
Drama

Casting Announcement for "The Heart Sellers"

he Virginia Theatre Festival has announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of playwright Lloyd Suh’s The Heart Sellers. The Heart Sellers will run from July 11-July 20 and will be directed by Desdemona Chiang, who returns to VTF, where she directed Harvey in 2018. Pulitzer Prize-finalist Lloyd Suh’s sweet, funny, and deeply moving play highlights the experiences of two 20-something immigrant women, one from the Philippines and one from South Korea, who meet, by chance, in a grocery store on Thanksgiving night. Set in 1973, eight years after the passing of the Hart-Celler Act, which abolished immigration quotas in America, the play finds Luna and Jane bonding over their common longing for the homes they left behind and the excitement for what lies ahead in a new land.

https://virginiatheatrefestival.org/casting-announcement-for-the-heart-sellers/

Get Happy Female presenting figure with black hat and suit on
Drama

Casting Announcement for "Get Happy!"

The Virginia Theatre Festival has announced the creative team for its season-ending production of Get Happy! A Celebration of the World’s Greatest Entertainer with Jenna Pastuszek. The show lives up to its name by taking audiences on a joy-filled journey powered by the songs of the legendary Judy Garland.

https://virginiatheatrefestival.org/casting-announcement-for-get-happy/

David J. Getsy, the Eleanor Shea Professor of Art History at the University of Virginia, has been awarded a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship for his work exploring how non-normative genders and sexualities have shaped art and cultural history. Photo credit: Evan Kutsko

David J. Getsy Awarded Prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship

David J. Getsy, the Eleanor Shea Professor of Art History at the University of Virginia, has been awarded a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship. The honor recognizes his groundbreaking research at the intersection of art history, queer studies, trans studies and performance studies. Getsy's work has significantly contributed to understanding how non-normative genders and sexualities have shaped art and cultural history.

https://as.virginia.edu/david-j-getsy-awarded-prestigious-guggenheim-fellowship

The Virginia Premier for All Bark, No Bite. A play by Emily Krantz with a picture of a bowtie
Drama

Arts This Week: Persimmon Tree Players present “All Bark, No Bite”

The Persimmon Tree Players will be performing the play, “All Bark, No Bite” on April, 26th and 27th and May 3rd and 4th at the historic Victory Hall Theater in Scottsville, Virginia. For Arts This Week we spoke with the director and the assistant director/ stage manager, about the play.

https://www.wtju.net/arts-this-week-persimmon-tree-players-present-all-bark-no-bite/

Into the Woods with an illustration of a Person in Red Coat Walking Through The woods
Drama

Virginia Theatre Festival Makes First Casting Announcement for Upcoming 51st Season-opening Production of Stephen Sondheim’s 'Into the Woods'

The Virginia Theatre Festival has announced the cast and creative team for its season-opening production of Into the Woods. Set to run June 27-July 6 in Culbreth Theatre at the University of Virginia, Into the Woods will be directed and choreographed by Matthew Steffens, who directed and choreographed the highly acclaimed 2023 VTF production of Cabaret and returns to VTF and his alma mater from recently serving as Associate Choreographer on the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival and subsequent national tour of Into the Woods.

https://virginiatheatrefestival.org/casting-announcement-for-into-the-woods/