As the O’Kane Theatre prepares to open its spring production of “Macbeth” on April 2 (tickets available below), involvement with UHD’s drama program is already translating into real-world opportunities for students—including one who recently secured an internship at the Alley Theatre.
Sofia Hurtado, a Fine Arts major with a concentration in drama and theater, will begin her work at the nearby company next semester. Her duties will mainly entail assisting with script translation for the Alley’s live interpretation feature for Spanish-speaking audiences.
That opportunity came about, she said, after attending a joint event hosted by UHD’s drama faculty and the Center for Latino Studies at the Alley Theatre. During that visit, faculty introduced her to industry professionals, leading to follow-up conversations, an interview, and ultimately, an offer.
“Our faculty are so invested in the students,” Hurtado said, and added that they’re the key reason she chose to transfer to UHD from San Jacinto College. The university’s downtown location and proximity to Houston’s theatre district also played a role, creating opportunities for students to engage directly with working professionals in the field.
That pathway—from classroom to stage to industry—manifests in UHD’s upcoming production of "Macbeth." Directed by Zach Dailey, Assistant Professor of Arts and Communication, the play is set in 1920s Chicago, an adaptation that allows Shakespeare’s tragedy to speak to American histories and structures of power.
For Hurtado, performing in the production is part of a broader process of artistic and professional development. “The challenge as an actor is you have to figure out a way to make the character’s experiences real for you, even though you haven’t been through the same thing,” she said. She brings that approach to her portrayal of Lady Macbeth, a character often viewed as manipulative but is, in Hurtado’s interpretation, more complex.
“She’s just a woman trying to get ahead,” Hurtado said. “But there’s so much more to her than that. Her story is told through her husband, so it’s my job to dissect her character and past in a way that enriches the play we have worked together to create.”
Experiences like these—combining performance, faculty mentorship, and direct exposure to the professional arts community—are central to UHD’s drama program. Students not only develop their craft as artists, but also gain the relationships and professional experience needed to pursue careers in the field.
An international student from Bogotá, Colombia, Hurtado said she is grateful for the opportunities that have come from that environment.
“I’m so excited,” she said. “We’ve all been working so hard, and we’re excited to present Shakespeare and his characters in a new way for a new audience.”
Image: Sofia Hurtado rehearsing her role as Lady Macbeth.
Photo credit: Luke Fedell, Director, O'Kane Theatre and Senior Lecturer of Theatre and Acting
Tickets to the O'Kane Theatre's production of "Macbeth" are available for purchase via the button below.