Cuesta College theatre wins nine national awards at festival
‘James and the Giant Peach’ recognized among top productions nationally
– Cuesta College Theatre Arts’ student-directed production of “James and the Giant Peach” received nine national awards from American College Theatre Festival, the organization announced as part of its 2026 National Production Awards and Meritorious Commendations.
The awards honor achievement in college theatre across the country. The production was one of four selected to represent Region 8 at the 2026 festival in Glendale, California, after selection by the Region 8 Executive Board.
National awards received by the college include Outstanding Performance and Production Ensemble for “James and the Giant Peach,” Outstanding Costume Design for bree valle, Outstanding Production Design for “James and the Giant Peach,” Distinguished Production of a Play for “James and the Giant Peach,” Distinguished Direction of a Play for Cash Costango and Kasady Riley, Distinguished Lighting Design for Ryan Flores, Distinguished Scenic Design for Brian Williams, Distinguished Sound Design for Molly Cochran, and Distinguished Hair, Makeup, and Wig Design for Molly Cochran.
Meritorious commendations from Region 8 include Region 8 Recognition for “James and the Giant Peach,” Theatre for Young Audiences, Wig Design and Construction for Molly Cochran, Light Board Operator for Emma Rogers, Smashing the Hierarchy, Student-Centered Production, Sound and Projection Operator for Molly Cochran, Community Service and Educational Arts Impact, and Technical Direction for Ryan Flores.
“This national recognition shows what can happen when students are trusted to lead, work together, and take creative risks,” said Bree Valle, artistic director of the Cuesta College Theatre Arts Program. “Seeing their work honored on a national stage proves the courage, imagination, and artistry they brought to every part of this production.”
Student directors Cash Costango and Kasady Riley received national recognition for Distinguished Direction of a Play, highlighting the production’s student-driven approach.
“To have our work recognized at the national level is surreal,” Costango said. “This production was built on trust, collaboration, and a shared vision. Every person involved helped shape something bigger than any one of us, and that’s what makes this honor so meaningful.”
“This experience has been transformative,” Riley said. “Receiving national recognition validates the risk-taking and creativity that defined this process. It also shows what’s possible when student voices are centered and supported in meaningful ways.”
The cast and crew thanked donors and supporters whose funding made it possible for them to attend the regional festival.
The production was selected to represent Region 8, which includes colleges and universities from Arizona, Central and Southern California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Southern Nevada, Utah, and Guam, at Conference 58, a five-day event that included performances, workshops, and professional feedback from theatre experts.
The American College Theatre Festival provides students opportunities to engage in acting, directing, design, technology, stage management, and devised theatre, and connects them with a national network of artists.
This marks the sixth time Cuesta College Theatre Arts has represented the western region at the festival. Previous honors include the original play “pool ’63” in 2014, which received five national awards; “Refried Elvis” in 2016, which received six awards; “Man of La Mancha” in 2018, which received 14 awards; “Ghost Ship” in 2019, which received 10 awards, including Outstanding Theatrical Creation; and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” in 2023, which received 10 awards, including Outstanding Performance by an Actor. In 2021, bree valle received the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion.
“This achievement speaks to the strength of our teamwork and the bold creativity of our students,” Valle said. “They’re not just making theatre; they’re building confidence, community, and a lasting belief in their ability to lead and create.”
