Yesenia Iglesias (PATP '14) has been working regularly in the Washington D.C. theatre scene since she graduated from the UW School of Drama. For the last two years she has appeared in Ford's Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol playing various roles in the ensemble. This year, Yesenia has been cast as Mrs. Cratchit, and is now the first woman of color to be playing this seminal character in Ford's Theatre's fifty year history. We talked with Yesenia about her experiences in the show, what playing Mrs. Cratchit means to her, and the importance of representation onstage. 

What has your experience working with Ford's Theatre on A Christmas Carol for the last two years been like?

YI: A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre was literally my first audition and the first gig I booked in D.C., so it holds a special place in my heart in regards to professional experiences. In the Beggar Woman/Mrs....

University of Washington School of Drama faculty member emeritus Aurora Valentinetti is the 2018 recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Legacy Award, which recognizes UW teachers who inspired and influenced their students both in and out of the classroom. Professor Valentinetti, also known as "The Puppet Lady," taught puppetry at UW from 1942 until 1992. In addition to being on faculty, Professor Valentinetti is also an alumna of the School of Drama, earning her BA in 1943 and her MA in 1949. With the University of Washington Puppeteers, Valentinetti served as designer, production manager and performer from 1943 until 1948.  Each year this troupe presented a marionette show at the campus Showboat Theatre including such classics as “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” and “Rumplestiltskin.” Professor Valentinetti was born in West Seattle and has been a Seattilite all her life. 

Read about her enormous influence on generations of students in this article in ...

It's official! School is out for summer! But the students, faculty and staff are staying very busy during the next three months. Read on to learn more about what our School of Drama community will be doing this summer - and be sure to check out some of the productions featuring UW talent! 

Alyssa Franks (PATP Student) - Alyssa will be exploring the San Juan Islands this summer as she performs in Shakespeare's The Tempsest with Island Stage Left, along with fellow PATP student Xavier Bleuel. You can catch the show between July 11th and August 12th on Orcas, Shaw, Lopez, and San Juan. More information at www.islandstageleft.org. Additionally, Alyssa will be participating in faculty member Cathy Madden's Alexander workshop in Friday Harbor! 

Holly Arsenault (BA Alum, Staff) - In addition to her position as Director of Engagement, Holly is an award-...

From now until the end of the school year, we will be introducing and celebrating our graduating students, looking back on the work they've done during their time here, and sharing their reflections and wisdom as they head off into the world. Today, we meet graduating Drama major Kayleah Lewis, a double major in Drama Performance and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. Hailing from Federal Way, about 30 minutes south of Seattle, Kayleah says, "My family was very low-income, so until I got into UW, I had been in more theatre productions than I had seen." Kayleah's heart lies in acting, but, she says, she hasn't found a part of theatre that she doesn't "love to pieces." 

What do you know now that you...