Cuesta College production selected for American College Theatre Festival
Student-directed production chosen from western United States region
– Cuesta College Theatre Arts’ student-directed production James and the Giant Peach has been selected to represent Region 8 at the American College Theatre Festival, scheduled for Feb. 10–14, 2026, in Glendale, California.
The production is one of four chosen from Region 8, which includes colleges and universities from Arizona, Central and Southern California, Hawaii, Southern Nevada, Utah, and Guam.
In response to the selection and audience demand, Cuesta College will remount James and the Giant Peach for three performances at the Harold J. Miossi Cultural and Performing Arts Center Mainstage. Performances are scheduled for Jan. 16 at 7 p.m., and Jan. 17–18 at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for general admission and $15 for children under 12 and are available at tickets.cuesta.edu.
The production was selected by the executive board of the regional festival to be presented at Conference 58, a five-day gathering of college theatre programs that includes performances, workshops, professional feedback, and national award consideration.
“The conference is a celebration of creativity where our students will shine as emerging theatre artists,” said Bree Valle, artistic director of the Cuesta College Theatre Arts Program. “It gives them a powerful platform to showcase their work, take creative risks, and grow through improvisation, performance, and bold new ideas. More than just an event, it’s an immersive experience that builds confidence, flexible thinking, and artistic courage.”
The festival provides students with opportunities to participate in disciplines including acting, musical theatre, playwriting, directing, dramaturgy, design, technology, stage management, and devised theatre. National theatre professionals attend to respond to productions and determine awards and commendations.
“Students will become part of a vibrant community of artists – exchanging ideas, debating each other’s work, attending live theatre together, and discovering future creative partners,” Valle said.
James and the Giant Peach is led by student directors Cash Costango and Kasady Riley.
“This production was truly a team effort, and being selected for the festival feels like a celebration of everyone involved,” Costango said. “From rehearsals to performances, we poured our hearts into this show, and it means so much to have that work recognized alongside other outstanding college programs.”
“This experience has pushed us to grow as artists and collaborators in ways we couldn’t have imagined,” Riley said. “Representing Cuesta College at the American College Theatre Festival allows us to learn from other programs, receive professional feedback, and celebrate the power of student-driven theatre.”
The invitation marks the sixth time Cuesta College Theatre Arts has represented the western region of the United States at the festival. Previous selections include pool ’63 in 2014, Refried Elvis in 2016, Man of La Mancha in 2018, Ghost Ship in 2019, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in 2023. In 2021, Valle received the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for theatre education.
To support the remount and student participation in the regional festival, Cuesta College has launched a crowdfunding campaign to offset production, travel, lodging, and transportation costs. Donations are being matched dollar for dollar up to $5,000.
“The Cuesta College Theatre Arts Program is all about collaboration, creativity, and self-discovery where students learn to listen deeply, share leadership, and communicate their ideas with confidence – onstage and off,” Valle said. “Just as importantly, the program empowers artists to celebrate their own unique identities and bring their full, authentic selves into the work.”
Community members are encouraged to attend the remounted performances and support the students as they prepare to present their work on a regional stage.
