UF Acting

This month, we are highlighting a professor who brings all the joy and laughter, it’s Dr. Charlie Mitchell! @drcharliem was an artistic associate with the award-winning Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and has worked as an actor in a variety of theatres in New York City, Chicago, and Baltimore. At the Hippodrome Theatre, the only professional theatre in Gainesville, he has appeared in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Abridged], Let the Right One In, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Hamlet, Hand to God, Peter and the Starcatcher, Mr. Burns, and The Tempest. There, he also directed A Doll’s House, Part 2, As You Like It, and The Snow Queen, his adaption of the story by Hans Christian Anderson. His last play, The Report, was performed by the American Theatre of Actors in New York City. At UF, Dr. Mitchell has directed the following productions: The Visit, Eurydice, Luna Gale, Sketchy People (written by Dr. Mitchell), Metamorphoses, Hobson’s Choice, Urinetown, A Piece of My Heart, You Can’t Take It With You, The Grapes of Wrath, and In the Blood. Some principles Dr. Mitchell instills in his teaching are: "Take your art seriously and strive to get better. Seek criticism over praise every time." #gogators #facultyspotlight #director #comedy #playwriting

Congratulations to the company of our final mainstage play of the 25/26 season, The Visit! From the subtle foreshadowing to intricate characters, this show was chilling, thought-provoking, and a phenomenal way to close out our season!🐝 When asked about his experience working on The Visit, first year MFA @mack_debernardo said the following: "I really enjoyed my time in The Visit! In my experience, UF is one of the most professional programs around. All aspects, from production to design to directing were top-notch. For my first show here, I was especially impressed with the sheer amount of talent within the program. Everyone here is handpicked and wonderful. I can’t wait to continue working with everyone in and outside of the program here in Gainesville." Cast members cont: @julia.actorwriterdreamer , @wanta.spritecranberry , @alex_naranjo___ The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Adapted by Maurice Valency  Directed by @drcharliem Costume and Logo Design by @stephensstuff Scenic Design by @kaydazey Lighting Design by @travismoak Hair, Makeup, and Wig Design by @jooshwoots Sound Design by @mma.dyy Stage Managed by @lauren.w.rench Dramaturgy by @leo.markos #wheregatorsgrow #mainstageplay #thevisit #darkcomedy #finalshowoftheseason

Join us this month in admiring our Assistant Professor of Theatre and Acting, Kaitlin Henderson! Kaitlin is a truly impressive artist who has worked as an Actor with Equity in companies across New England, Chicago, and on the West Coast. She previously served as the Associate Director of Education at Shakespeare & Company in addition to a 20 Year company membership. She has also been a guest artist with the Flute Theatre Company in London. Kaitlin is a proud member of AEA, VASTA, and the Shakespeare Association of America. In addition to performing, Kaitlin has recently served as Dialect Coach for a world premiere production of "Lovelocked" with Green Shirt Studios (Chicago). Kaitlin has also served as a faculty member at Southern Oregon University, Northern Illinois University, and Monterey Peninsula College. When it comes to principles she wants to instill in her students, Kaitlin looks towards these quotes for inspiration: "Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say" --King Lear "Hear my soul speak!" --The Tempest "Here could I breathe my soul into the air" --Henry VI, part 2 #gogators #facultyspotlight #shakespeareactor #actinginspiration

TAKEOVER ALERT! Tune in tomorrow, March 31st, as we follow a day in the life of @pedro_mboc ! Pedro is a first year BFA Acting student and is making his @ufsotd debut in The Visit as Karl Schill! Pedro also recently founded and debuted his own production company, @our_time_productions ! There are only four shows left and tickets are going FAST, so be sure to call the box office at (352) 392-1653 or visit the link in our bio to secure yours today! Come visit Pedro and the rest of this phenomenal cast!🐝👠 #wheregatorsgrow #collegetheatre #dayinthelife #instagramtakeover #bfalife

We are officially TWO weeks away from the opening of our final mainstage play of the season, The Visit! Directed by @drcharliem , The Visit is a darkly comedic and haunting exploration of justice, revenge, and the price of moral compromise. When a wealthy woman returns to her impoverished hometown offering a fortune in exchange for a chilling demand, the community is forced to confront its values and loyalties. Blending sharp satire with gripping drama, Dürrenmatt’s play examines how desperation and power can distort ethical boundaries. Tense, thought-provoking, and theatrically bold, The Visit asks what people are willing to sacrifice when faced with the promise of salvation—and the cost of conscience. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased using the link in our bio or by calling the box office at (352) 392-1653! “Bee” sure to secure yours today and come visit us!🐝 Cast continued: @alex_naranjo___ @julia.actorwriterdreamer @lilyjaneyoung Poster design: @stephensstuff #wheregatorsgrow #thevisit #castannouncement #darkcomedy #collegetheatre

It’s that time again! The 2026 UF Actor Showcase in New York City takes place on Monday March 16 at Open Jar Studios. This year’s showcase is a closed networking event for final year students in the performance programs. Industry professionals scheduled to appear: Ellery Sandhu (The Mine Agency); Lindsay Levine (The Telsey Office); Amy Lord (Eris Talent Agency); Chad Murnane (Murnane Casting); Rachel Reiss (Liz Lewis Casting) and Judy Boals (Boals, Winnett, & Associates). This year’s participants include Talia Caso, Rylee Siegel, and Emily Mahleb (BFA Acting) as well as Ethan Garrepy, Ary’ana Davis, Beatriz Arevalo Medellin, AJ De Leon, and Indya Skye (BFA Musical Theatre). Get up and go get it, Gators! #wheregatorsgo #wheregatorsgrow #actorlife #agents #casting #graduation

It's time to reveal of 5th MainStage poster of the 2025/26 @ufsotd Season! With themes of consumerism, cult following, and greed, Poster Designer @stephensstuff and Director @drcharliem collaborated together on this design to create something that felt like a vintage advertisement from the 1950s, the era in which Friedrich Dürrenmatt's chilling dark comedy takes place. Complete with weathered edges, faux fold lines, and accurate typefaces, we hope this one transports you back in time to the era of the New Look, and brings you in to the mysterious world of Güellen. "Visit" us on March 27th in the Constans Theatre on Opening Night for our final MainStage theatre production of the 25/26 season! Directed by: @drcharliem Lighting Design: @travismoak Scenic Design: @kaydazey Makeup and Hair Design: @jwaltzcostumedesign Sound Design: @mma.dyy Stage Management: @lauren.w.rench Costume Design: @stephensstuff #uf#universityofflorida#schooloftheatreanddance#thevisit#gogators

Make sure to watch our spring semester staged reading, MEN ON BOATS, TOMORROW and Saturday, March 6th & 7th. Directed by Lauren Warhol Caldwell. Men on Boats is a witty, fast-paced retelling of the 1869 expedition of ten explorers navigating the uncharted American West. With sharp dialogue, Men on Boats offers a fresh and engaging take on historical narratives combining entertainment with thought-provoking insight. Energetic and clever, it encourages audiences to reflect on the ways stories are shared and remembered and is filled with merriment, camaraderie, and unstoppable momentum. Ticket link is in our bio! #jaclynbackhaus #stagedreading #allfemalecast #comedy #theatre

Congratulations to the company of F. Punk Junkies on an amazing run! From high energy dances to powerful stories, this was a beautiful and electrifying show to kick off the spring semester! When asked about F. Punk Junkies being her final show at UF, Senior BFA Acting Major Emily Mahleb said @emazzing1 ,"Being able to play someone as complex and relatable as Es was a truly special experience, and getting to hear Teo talk about his inspirations and the story behind the character was an honor we don’t always get as performers. I could not think of a more fulfilling show to close out my time here <3" F.Punk Junkies by Teo Castellanos Directed by @ryanhopetravis Choreography by @soledade.augusto & Ensemble Costume Design by @abigaillarsendesign , @amber.law00 Scenic Design by @tundexmania Lighting Design by @jonathanleatherman Sound Design by @soph.fuen Dramaturgy by @ophileaaa , @tundexmania Stage Managed by @sophiegtorri #wheregatorsgrow #fpunkjunkies #orishas #womanempowerment #afropunk

This month, we are proud to highlight our incredibly knowledgeable Visiting Assistant Professor in Movement and Acting, Eric Loscheider! @ericloscheider Eric is a highly accomplished artist whose work spans stage, film, and voice. He has appeared on Broadway in Romeo and Juliet (Richard Rodgers), and has performed at Theatre for the New City, Metropolitan Playhouse, 54 Below, and Theatre Row. Regionally, he has graced the stages of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Florida Studio Theatre, Drury Lane, and First Folio Shakespeare Festival. His film credits include The Incredible Jessica James, The Post, Letters from Baghdad, and Tapestry, along with voiceover work for The American Experience series (PBS). In addition to performing and teaching, Eric has worked as a Dialect Coach for productions including Daredevil, Divorce, Blacklist, I Love You, and My Narcissist. His directing credits include Jouhatsu, Five Times in One Night, The Medea of Euripides (& original adaptation), and You Again. He has also served as Fight Director for Steel Birds and Keys. In his classes at UF, Eric hopes to create deep, unrelenting curiosity, both artistically and intellectually. He wants to teach his students to be rigorous with themselves in their work, but also adaptable; putting the classwork into practice in daily life. He also stresses respect for one’s fellow artists. Eric is currently serving as Fight Director for Pirates of Penzance at the Phillips Center and Intimacy Director for Accomplice at the Hippodrome Theatre. Eric is a proud member of SAG/AFTRA and AEA. #gogators #facultyspotlight #ufacting #fightandintimacydirector #dialectcoach

Throwback Thursday! THE THANKSGIVING PLAY by Larissa FastHorse, featuring (left to right) Patrick Taft (MFA Acting), Sarah Schrader (MFA Acting), Emma Wohlschlaeger (BFA Acting), Mitch Gray (MFA Acting) and Indya Skye (BFA Musical Theatre)—stage managed by Emily Mahleb (BFA Acting)! #throwbackthursday #wheregatorsgrow #nativeamerican #nativeamericanart #femaleartist #theatre #comedy

#AllForTheGators: Sarah Anne Sulewski School of Theatre and Dance Scholarship MFA Acting alum, Spring 2025 School of Theatre + Dance (@ufsotd ) Sarah says: “My area of study is in the arts is theatre, specifically acting. I believe with all my heart in the power of storytelling. Acting has afforded me the opportunity to connect and collaborate with so many beautiful individuals. But more importantly, telling stories has allowed me to become an even more well-rounded and empathetic human being. Theatre helps me continue to believe in magic. Thank you for continuing to believe in the transformative power of the arts. Your funds that contribute to scholarships for artists like myself, allow us to keep dreaming and spreading joy to all kinds of communities. In my opinion, continuing to fund the arts is such an integral way in the ways we continue to work to change the world.”