Hosted by UT Theatre and Dance, the Cohen New Works Festival is a week-long showcase of 40 student pieces, including performances, installations, dances and plays. With the festival running from April 7-11, The Daily Texan compiled a list of must-see works during the showcase. From powerful narratives to interactive experiences, the festival highlights the creativity of UT’s emerging artists.
Emiliana: A Revolution Cabaret – Play/Cabaret
(Project Leads: Jessica Peña Torres, theatre and dance graduate student and Laura Camacho, musicology graduate student)
Step into a sultry 1940s Mexico City cabaret, where Emiliana’s bold, gender-bending show intersects revolution and performance art. Emiliana impersonates Emiliano Zapata, a Mexican revolutionary, blending cabaret, music and social justice to tell a thought-provoking story. The story challenges gender roles while uplifting queer voices.
ArtVend 2.0 – Installation
(Project Leads: Marisa Lawrence, theatre graduate student and Jason Buchanan, lecturer in the theatre and dance department)
Spare some change and drop a quarter or two into the ArtVend machine. Visitors can walk away with a random, hand-crafted piece of 2D artwork from an anonymous College of Fine Arts student. Each item is a unique piece of a student’s creativity, a showcase of the talent on campus.
Quiet Tears of Roses – Dance/Visual Art
(Project Leads: London Lack, dance and Plan II junior and Paris Lack, studio art and Plan II freshman)
The performance “Quiet Tears of Roses” blends contemporary ballet with striking visuals to unravel the pain behind femininity and expectation. Through movement and multimedia art, this piece gives voice to the silent struggles of women facing reproductive health issues — layered like petals and thorns, raw and unforgettable.
Rigged: the Game Show – Interactive Experience
(Project Leads: Anthony Anello, theatre graduate student and Julia Kreutzer, theatre graduate student)
Step into the chaos of reality TV with “Rigged: The Game Show,” an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure experience where the player helps shape the drama. As a new production assistant, participants navigate behind-the-scenes antics and vote on who stays, who goes and who snags the million-dollar prize — creating one out of 24 possible endings.
Things That Happen To A Girl Walking To A Bus Stop – Film
(Project Lead: Madi Palomo, theatre and drama graduate student and Kanea MacDonald, theatre and drama graduate student )
“Things That Happen To A Girl Walking To A Bus Stop” is a bold and biting short film that blends reality with fantasy, following one girl’s chaotic journey through the everyday annoyances of street harassment. Equal parts hilarious and empowering, it’s a relatable daydream revenge — brought vividly to life.
KILELE – Performance
(Project Lead: Valentina Reyes Rubio, dance junior)
Journey to the heart of the Colombian Pacific coast with “KILELE,” a powerful performance that weaves dance, music and storytelling together. The vibrant celebration of cultural identity honors Currulao traditions through dance, music and immersive visuals. The performance invited viewers to connect with the culture and celebrate.
