College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
School of Theatre, Television, and Film Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Message from Leadership
Dear Donor, This past year has been one of extraordinary artistic achievement for the School of Theatre, Television, and Film (TFM). I am deeply grateful for our students, faculty, and generous donors, whose support makes this work possible. Our mainstage season featured six ambitious productions, including two world premieres: When She Became the Moon by SDSU lecturer Mabelle Reynoso and Tomorrow the Island Dies by Ryan Scott Oliver, developed through our New Musicals Initiative. In TFM, donor support sent students to the set of Abbott Elementary and to a showcase at United Talent Agency in Beverly Hills, providing career-defining opportunities for our graduates. As we approach our 100th Season of Theatre at SDSU, our TFM program is expanding to a four-year degree this fall, strengthening our place among Southern California’s top programs. None of this happens without your support. Your investment funds world premieres, industry access, and innovative programs that prepare the next generation of artists and storytellers.
Stephen Brotebeck, MFA Director School of Theatre, Television, and Film
Philanthropy
Propelling the SDSU Community Forward Aztecs to Hollywood Fund Thanks to philanthropic support through the Aztecs to Hollywood Fund, students in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film gained access to transformative industry experiences during FY25-26. Donor-funded Hollywood discovery trips let students visit the set of Abbott Elementary and participate in a showcase at United Talent Agency in Beverly Hills, giving them career-defining opportunities with firsthand industry exposure, networking connections, and professional development. We are deeply grateful for the generosity that makes these experiences possible and helps prepare the next generation of artists, filmmakers, and storytellers for successful careers in the entertainment industry. Julia R. Brown New Musical Theatre Initiative Fund Thanks to philanthropic support through the Julia R. Brown New Musical Theatre Initiative Fund, students in the Musical Theatre Program received valuable opportunities to develop and perform new works while collaborating with professional artists and creative teams. Funding supported the greatest needs of the New Musical Theatre Initiative, helping bring innovative productions and original musicals to the stage, including the world premiere development of Tomorrow the Island Dies. These experiences provide students with hands-on training in the creation of new musical theatre works while strengthening SDSU’s reputation as a hub for artistic innovation. We are deeply grateful for the generosity that helps empower the next generation of performers, writers, and theatre-makers.
Student Spotlight
Thriving in the Aztec Experience Jordan Davenport, Class of 2026 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Major: Musical Theatre Jordan Davenport came to SDSU as a perfectionist and leaves as a performer who has learned to turn vulnerability into artistry. With a minor in creative writing and a heart for original work, Jordan served as artistic director of Black Renaissance Theatre, contributed to the inaugural Black Renaissance fashion show, and honed her craft as an assistant stage manager and choreographer. Her greatest ambition is to be a vessel for storytellers — to give voice to writers, playwrights, and filmmakers across every genre. During her time at SDSU, Jordan has been featured in multiple musicals, including Cabaret, Ziggy Stardust, Me and Tomorrow, and The Island Dies.
Finley Louch, Class of 2026 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Major: Television, Film, and New Media Finley Louch’s path to the TFM production major was not without obstacles. He was initially rejected and had only one more opportunity to apply. He applied again, persevered, and graduated as the outstanding student in his program. As president of SDSU’s improv team, an editor on an independent documentary, and a collaborator across multiple theatre productions, Finley built a college experience defined by resilience and relationships.
Student Spotlight
Alexander Ameen, Class of 2026 Class Level: Graduate Student College: College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Major: Theatre Arts Alexander Ameen is ambitious, determined, and fearless — qualities that define both the artist and the playwright. His thesis project, a full-length play titled The Stormy Present, is set in the media office of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, where an idealistic newcomer’s arrival ignites a confrontation over what America truly represents. Ameen’s work is sharp, provocative, and deeply civic — a portrait of a modern military institution at war with its own identity. He leaves SDSU with a Dean’s Award from the Student Research Symposium and his sights set on a career as a professional playwright.
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A sharp, provocative voice, Alexander Ameen leaves SDSU ready to bring deeply civic stories to the professional stage.
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Points of Pride
Celebrating Shared Success Statistics of Interest We have just over 750 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled across our 13 degree programs, reflecting both steady growth and the strong reputation of our School across theatre, television, and film. Five students won awards at the 2026 Student Research Symposium, with Celia Beaumont winning the President’s Award for the Arts. Recent Highlights We recently launched our B.A. in Musical Theatre; the B.S. in Film and Television Production is transitioning to a first-year admission process, with the first class entering in the fall of 2026. The SDSU New Musical Initiative was featured at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre Fall Festival of New Musicals in New York in October 2025. We hosted the World Fringe Congress in May 2025, featuring panels and performances from our students in Design and Technology, Musical Theatre, and Performance.
Rising Impact
13 Degree programs, 750+ students, and five 2026 research award winners show the School’s rising reputation and impact.
New Program
B.A. in Musical Theatre launched in Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Faculty and Staff Achievements
Carlton Daniel Jr., MFA Title: Assistant Professor, Screenwriting College: College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts Achievement: Carlton’s film Fly has been selected for multiple film festivals in 2026, including NewFest Pride in New York, New York, and the American Black Film Festival in Miami, Florida. Carlton Daniel Jr. is a writer-director whose work is grounded in the experiences of Black and LGBTQIA+ American life, and he now brings that perspective directly into the classroom as assistant professor of screenwriting at SDSU. His award-winning directorial debut, Monogamish, screened at over 20 festivals internationally, and his short Homegoing screened at Academy and BAFTA-qualifying festivals, including the American Black Film Festival and Outfest LA. Most recently, he wrote and directed an episode of 20th Digital Studio’s horror anthology series Bite Size Halloween, now streaming on Hulu. An active working filmmaker and dedicated educator, Carlton Daniel Jr. represents exactly the kind of faculty this School attracts: artists who are building careers and shaping the next generation of storytellers at the same time.
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... Carlton Daniel Jr. represents exactly the kind of faculty this School attracts: artists who are building careers and shaping the next generation of storytellers at the same time.
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Thank you for your generous support.
University Relations and Development San Diego State University 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-8045 sdsu.edu | give.sdsu.edu