UMD TDPS Presents: Fearless New Works Festival

Written by: Madisyn Falto

The poster for the New Works Festival (@theclariceumd on Instagram)

UMD School of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies opened their first ever Fearless Works Festival, from Apr. 10-12. The festival was a brand new way for UMD to showcase the talents of their TDPS students through three days of featured readings, choreographed routines and guest speakers. 

Although the official start of the festival was Friday, UMD faculty, staff, and students were pleased to welcome Jonathan Spector on Thursday. Spector is a Tony-award winning playwright who won for his play “Eureka Day,” and is also highly regarded in the theatre world for his numerous productions. 

UMD students performed his play “Best Available.” Spector popped into several classes speaking to students about the industry, his experience and how to make a name for themselves. Additionally, students involved in the play were able to ask him questions about the industry and advice in cultivating their talents. 

Jem Highstein, a freshman Theater major, said she was really grateful for the opportunity to speak with such a distinguished playwright and felt it was a great experience in encouraging her future aspirations. 

The weekend was kickstarted with the first half of student play readings. These plays were written and performed by TDPS students and directed by alumni. 

Chris Patiag, who played Dean in Naomi Louie’s “Year of the Sheep,” is a sophomore theater and math major at UMD and has been an active member in the Clarice Performing Arts Center. 

He said, “It was a theatre experience that was very different from anything I’ve done before. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into at first, but it was very refreshing to see the different [point of views] in the theatre creative process.”  

Patiag was thrilled and excited when UMD announced the festival and was eager to be a part of this inaugural event. 

On Saturday, Apr. 11, there were two opportunities to see students perform original dances and wrapping up the weekend on Sunday was a second part to the student theatre performances showcased on the 10th. 

Many of the performers that weekend all shared a sense of pride to be the first UMD students highlighted in this festival. These students had been practicing for over a month but preparing for the duration of the semester, and were thrilled to finally share all the hard work they had done.