ORLANDO, Fla. – Celebrate music, theatre, dance, and more as UCF Celebrates the Arts returns for its 11th year at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
This year, the festival highlights the theme of “Transforming Experiences” with 50 diverse performances and exhibits, according to a news release from the venue. The two-week showcase runs from April 1-13 across five venues and spaces, with the theater production “Fiddler on the Roof” headlining the event.
Students from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in various art majors work year-round to plan and operate this impressive showcase.
One of those students is senior stage management major Delayna Wahlberg. A Titusville native, Wahlberg initially pursued a dual degree in music education at Florida State University but discovered during an internship that teaching wasn’t her calling.
She then applied to UCF to pursue a bachelor’s degree in theater with a focus on stage management.
Wahlberg credits a professor at UCF for taking a chance on her, which allowed her to grow and succeed in the program. She has worked on multiple theatrical productions at UCF, including serving as assistant music director for “Sweeney Todd,” production stage manager for “Fiddler on the Roof” and completing a production internship at the Dr. Phillips Center. This summer, she will work as an Actors’ Equity Association assistant stage manager at Theatre by the Sea.
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Claudia Nunn, senior director of production at Dr. Phillips Center, expressed admiration for both the young cast members and those working behind the scenes.
“The young cast members, they work so hard at their craft,” Nunn said. “But the stage managers, the technicians do as well, because you’re not only learning the skill set, but you are learning how to develop people, and you deal with your peers as a leader. That’s hard.”
When reflecting on the dedication of these students and their efforts in one word, Nunn said, “I’m impressed. I really am, because they are very dedicated, very focused, and we see it in the interview process. UCF will provide six or seven different candidates, and they all have very different backgrounds.”
The festival showcases not only artistic excellence but also leadership development among students — both onstage and behind the scenes — making it a transformative experience for all involved.
To see a list of scheduled events and times, click here.
