Prepare to be Wowed

The signature program exemplifies the dynamic arts ecosystem at UC San Diego that connects the campus and local community through shared creative experiences. It also offers an opportunity for faculty and students at UC San Diego to develop and present their own creative works. In fact, there is an entire year-long course in the Department of Theatre and Dance fondly known as the “WOW Class” where students master the art of site-responsive performance – from improvisation techniques to innovating as a collective and producing a live, interactive performance.

‘We’re all stardust, baby’

Over the last seven months, a group of undergraduate students have been learning how to evoke meaning. Their end goal is to develop a new work that will be presented at the WOW Festival. Rather than diving straight into storytelling, they began with moment-making in response to a simple prompt or prop. 

“These moments often start with, ‘Oh, what if we…’ or ‘Aha, let’s see what happens if we…’” explains Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance Vanessa Stalling. “A light, for example, has as much power to tell a story as a piece of spoken word. Once students realize this, their proposals for how to evoke meaning expand. It’s a thrill to see them in moments of discovery, experimentation and problem solving.”

One of the most impactful lessons for undergraduate student Midas Thompson was learning how to test creative expression without a fear of failure. “How do you craft something from nothing? How do you make a moment? These are all important lessons for developing interactive work,” shared Thompson, a theatre and dance major who also works at Six Flags Magic Mountain. “These courses are preparing me for the career I seek, which is to be a creative director at a theme park where I can make immersive experiences for guests to enjoy.”

Throughout the year, four faculty members from several specialties — including design faculty Robert Brill and Christopher Kuhl, directing faculty Vanessa Stalling and playwriting faculty Deborah Stein — mentored students in developing a project featured in this year’s WOW Festival. 

“We all come from different backgrounds and bring distinct methodologies to how we make live performance,” said Brill. “What’s been especially meaningful is the chance to return to our roots, to reconnect with and be re-inspired by the foundations of how we first came to this work as artists and makers. We’re in ongoing dialogue, sharing our practices, perspectives and histories as artists.”

In fall quarter students honed their ability to find inspiration from anything, anyone and anywhere – be it a prompt, object or piece of architecture. In winter quarter, ideas became more solid, with conversations focusing on transforming a concept into something tangible as well as strengthening communication among the creative team. And now in spring quarter, students are bringing the production to life, rehearsing and finalizing their script.

“For many, this is our first venture into the world of interactive and site-specific work; it’s both terrifying and extremely gratifying,” explained Edda Lam, a literary arts major. “Having folks in class with you for a whole year is pretty cool, too! Close friendships and collaborator-ships have definitely been made.”

Surprisingly, the puzzle piece that did emerge early on was the name of their performance, “Project: Stardust.” During an initial assignment, students were asked to explore the notion of “sonder,” or the awareness that others’ lives are as vivid and complex as your own. While scanning Reddit posts, one user concluded their reflection with, “We’re all stardust, baby.” The sentiment stuck. “Whenever we had problems, we kept coming back to this idea; we really started gravitating toward it, and ironically the story we’ve made fits the name absolutely perfectly,” said Thompson.

After considering several campus locations for their performance in consultation with stage designer Robert Brill, the student team settled on Atkinson Hall at Qualcomm Institute. Their interactive work is structured as a multi-track performance, where the first scene includes everyone then branches off into different tracks, with all actors and audience members returning at the end. Actors will follow a flexible script, written with breaks where audience participation will require improvisation from the actors.

“Project: Stardust” is free to attend (reservation is required), with 45-minute interactive performances happening at 4:30 p.m. on April 24, 4 p.m. on April 25 and 11 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. on April 26. Needless to say, the students are thrilled to see their work come to life at the festival. “This unique course series allows students to experience being part of a professional performance festival, showing work alongside significant local, national and international artists,” said Kuhl.

Art connects us

There’s something special about singing together in unison, embracing the messiness of shaping clay or getting swept up in a live theatrical performance. That feeling of excitement and amazement is what connects us. UC San Diego’s vibrant arts landscape is designed to create these moments of connection on a daily basis, whether it’s passing by a giant mural on the way to class, meeting a new friend at a dance workshop or being “wowed” at the annual WOW Festival.

There are many UC San Diego links at this year’s WOW Festival, with several works created by School of Arts and Humanities alumni. In addition, a special performance was curated by ArtPower, the university’s hub for live arts experiences, featuring artists from around the world.

“Karaoke Dreams” | Blindspot Collective 

Step into a neon-lit karaoke bar where the beer is cold, the mic is hot, and every song tells a story. “Karaoke Dreams” is an immersive celebration of connection, community and the catharsis of singing your truth. As regulars and newcomers take the stage, relationships spark, memories surface, and strangers are united through anthems, ballads, and guilty pleasures spanning generations. The work is created by Blindspot Collective, whose creative team includes UC San Diego Theatre and Dance alumna Shellina Hefner, ’17.

“Sung Forests” | Project [BLANK] 

A singer stands among magnolia trees, activating the quiet garden with her voice. Through a custom sound system, her singing echoes from speakers in the branches, stretching time and reshaping space. As her voice dissolves, a rich sonic landscape emerges—resembling forests, lakes, or dusk-lit fields — creating an immersive, ever-changing acoustic environment. Project [BLANK] is led by Sam Dunscombe, a recording engineer in UC San Diego’s Department of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts alumna Leslie Ann Leytham, ’15.

“With Honors” | Jesca Prudencio 

Ever wanted to be celebrated, congratulated, and awarded for being exactly as you are? “With Honors” does exactly that in this feel-good ceremonial dance party experience where you get the graduate experience. Hosted by the Masters of Fine Awesomeness (dancers, singers, and a live DJ), this playful evening is packed with surprises that will give the guests of honor (you!) the red-carpet treatment. The piece is created by Jesca Prudencia, ’16 who earned an MFA in directing through UC San Diego’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

“Choir! Choir! Choir!” | Presented by ArtPower at UC San Diego

“Why see a show when you can BE the show!” This fully interactive show turns audience into performers. Get ready to laugh, dance and sing your heart out with hundreds of other music lovers. Grab a friend – or 10 – and come out ready to give it all you’ve got! All voices are welcome; no experience is necessary. We teach; you sing. Everyone wins! The high energy performance is presented by ArtPower at UC San Diego, which presents performances and media arts that engage and enhance the diverse cultural life of the university.

Admission to the festival is free, with the majority of productions presented at no charge. This year’s event will feature two dozen theatre, dance, music, puppetry and spectacle events performed by acclaimed local, national and international artists. To learn more about the WOW Festival and access the entire four-day schedule, visit wowfestival.org.