UCF Celebrates the Arts 2021


April 2-10, 2021

Are you ready for a dose of joy?
For healing, connection and community?
For music, art and dance?
Yeah, we are too.

Our UCF artists have spent the last year making theatre in front of web cams, blowing horns in parking garages and dancing in kitchens. We’ve been hosting poetry readings over Zoom and painting alone in empty studios. And now we are ready to come out of solitude and – following every safety protocol – to experience the arts together.

At UCF, we find a way. By partnering with Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and making use of the health and safety protocols they have successfully implemented, we will safely get our UCF artists back to doing what they love doing: sharing their creativity with you. Join us outside, virtually or safely distanced in the Walt Disney Theatre. Be with us, however you feel comfortable and whatever way brings you happiness.

The arts are built on community, and together, we will Celebrate the Arts 2021. Join us April 2-10, 2021.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

UCF Celebrates the Arts 2021 will feature both in-person and virtual events to ensure everyone can celebrate UCF artists in whatever setting they are most comfortable.

UCF will host most events in the new, 2,000-seat outdoor venue on Dr. Phillips Center’s front lawn in partnership with the arts center’s Frontyard Festival™. For those interested in sitting indoors, limited seats are available for “A Knight of Dance” in the Walt Disney Theater on April 8. Along with in-person events, UCF Celebrates the Arts will feature several virtual events that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home.

Tickets are on sale starting March 8 at noon. Tickets for in-person events will be sold through Dr. Phillips Center’s website; prices range from free to $50 (with the exception of Orlando Ballet’s Peter Pan.)  Reservations for virtual events are required and can be made through the UCF School of Performing Arts box office; the events are “Pay What you Want” pricing starting at free. Each event listed in the schedule has a direct link to its ticketing platform; two transactions will be needed for people reserving tickets for in-person and virtual events.

The health and safety of our community and artists is our highest priority. Attendees at all in-person events are expected to abide by Dr. Phillips Center’s health and safety protocols.

Schedule

UCF is committed to providing universal access. Closed captioning will be provided for virtual events. Please contact boxoffice@ucf.edu or 407-823-1500 to request any other disability accommodations no later than March 29.

Download Schedule Flyer

Live & Local Lunches

Enjoy daily chamber music from UCF ensembles during the lunch hour, in partnership with Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard Festival™.


Virtual & Ongoing Events

Throughout the week, there will be a selection of virtual events for those who prefer to watch from home. Advance registration is required, and patrons can “pay what they want” to watch, starting at free.


Main Stage


ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

UCF Celebrates the Arts, a festival showcasing creativity, innovation and collaboration from Orlando’s hometown university, occurs annually at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in April. The event is hosted by the UCF College of Arts and Humanities and features the faculty and students from the School of Performing Arts and the School of Visual Arts and Design, as well as work from the humanities departments and other units from around the university. Partnership, one of UCF’s long-standing values, is brought front-and-center at UCF Celebrates the Arts, with many events showcasing the collaborative nature of the university and demonstrating how UCF is both in and of the Central Florida community.

Logos for University of Central Florida, Dr. Phillips Center, OUC The Reliable One, Baker Barrios, and Orlando BalletLogos for University of Central Florida, Dr. Phillips Center, OUC The Reliable One, Baker Barrios, and Orlando Ballet

Steering Committee

  • Michael Wainstein, chair
  • Gary Brown
  • Hannah Estes
  • Heather Gibson
  • Thomas Harrison
  • Paul Lartonoix
  • Julia Listengarten
  • Scott Lubaroff
  • Claudia Lynch
  • Rudy McDaniel
  • Joe Muley
  • Bridget Parry
  • Steven Risko
  • Jeffrey Rupert
  • Azela Santana
  • Bert Scott
  • Keri Watson

Production Supervision

Provided by SenovvA

  • James E. Cleveland
  • Amy Hadley
  • Bobby Malke

Stage, Production and Company Managers

  • Claudia Lynch, advisor
  • Emma Carbone*
  • Sarah Simone*
  • Jennifer Balestra*
  • Elana Treiser*
  • Lauren Koval*
  • Leah Klayman*
  • Lizett Echevarria*
  • Christina Samanie*
  • Sabrina Boudreaux
  • Allyson Futch*
  • Naiya Barsallo*
  • Sarah Nicholson*
  • Valarie Kutemeier*
  • Morgan Polodna*
  • Yesenia Ginzo*
  • Thomasa Hagney*
  • Magdalena Tronina*
  • Sydney Whittaker*
  • Lauran Conran*
  • Ayana Yokie*
  • Cameron Sparks*
  • Gabriella Scott*
  • Megan Ianero*
  • Cassandra McKay
  • Jordan Simon
  • Kathleen Wilkinson*

Crew

  • Justin Lalk*
  • Jonanthony Rodriguez-Olivero*
  • David Goll*
  • Hailey Osborn*
  • Robert Goldstein*
  • Taylor Coffman*

Marketing & Front-of-House

  • Quwade Bretch*
  • Jennifer Chocolate*
  • Matthew Dunn
  • Myrand Elkin*
  • Hannah Estes
  • Heather Gibson
  • Heaven Keller*
  • Bella Martinez*
  • Bridget Parry
  • Steven Risko
  • Brittany Ryder*
  • Rachel Tran*
  • Aubree Williams*
  • Nicole Wills

Festival Design

  • Jordan Stewart*

*denotes UCF student


2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015