Notable Achievements

Assistant Professor of Theatre Gabriel Peña performed as invited guest artist in Notes from the Field, the final production of Sewanee University of the South’s theatrical season, presented at the Tennessee Williams Center in Sewanee, TN. The docu-drama, compiled from hundreds of interviews with individuals impacted by the school-to-prison pipeline, features Gab portraying three distinct characters in this powerful multimedia work. Rehearsals began remotely, then integration with the local production team took place in March, and the show ran from April 15–April 19. Additional information is available here.

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Gabriel M. Peña

Assistant Professor of Theatre

Expertise

Acting

Gabriel Peña is Assistant Professor of Theater with a specialty in teaching performance/acting. He received a B.A. in Theatre from Pomona College and his M.F.A. in Acting from Pennsylvania State University. 

His performance work has ranged from contemporary plays to Shakespeare, musicals to devised works, short films to commercials, and voice-over. His performance work and research has taken him many places including ACT in San Francisco, the Gaiety Theatre in Ireland, and the National Arts Festival in South Africa. 

Current areas of interest include the intersection of the somatic practice of Moshe Feldenkrais’ Awareness Through Movement with actor training, and exploring what new interdisciplinary possibilities might exist for the 21st century actor. 

  • Biography

    Gabriel Peña is Assistant Professor of Theater with a specialty in teaching performance/acting. He received a B.A. in Theatre from Pomona College and his M.F.A. in Acting from Pennsylvania State University. 

    His performance work has ranged from contemporary plays to Shakespeare, musicals to devised works, short films to commercials, and voice-over. His performance work and research has taken him many places including ACT in San Francisco, the Gaiety Theatre in Ireland, and the National Arts Festival in South Africa. 

    Current areas of interest include the intersection of the somatic practice of Moshe Feldenkrais’ Awareness Through Movement with actor training, and exploring what new interdisciplinary possibilities might exist for the 21st century actor. 

  • Presentations

    Workshop Presenter: “Sensing Possibilities: Feldenkrais Method and its Potential Applications for Performers”. The workshop explored how Awareness Through Movement lessons (from the Feldenkrais Method), often utilized as physical therapy, can be resourceful to actors. SETC (Southeastern Theatre Conference), Spring 2023.

    Panelist: “Spotlight on New Works LIA (Latinx Indigenous and the Americas) and ATDS (American Theatre and Drama Society)”. Representing Author Marissa Chibás and her book Mythic Imagination. ATHE, a national theatre conference, Summer 2023.

In the News

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