By Alvaro Ayala

EDINBURG, TEXAS – APRIL 18, 2025 – The UTRGV Department of Theatre is bringing audiences of all ages into the dream-filled world of “Carmela Full of Wishes.”

The UTRGV Theatre for Young Audience (TYA) production is scheduled to run from April 25-27 at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre on the Edinburg Campus, with an additional free special preview on Thursday, April 24. The preview is in support of the UTRGV Office for Sustainability’s Earth Day festivities.

The story is about a young girl named Carmela who celebrates her birthday by running errands with her older brother all over Brownsville, Texas. As fate would have it, all of Carmela’s birthday wishes come true throughout the day.

The Brownsville location was a creative choice made as a collective by the cast and crew to make it more relatable for young audiences.

Jennifer Saxton-Rodriguez, UTRGV Theatre professor of costume design, is making her TYA directorial debut and said she wants to deliver an unforgettable experience.

“I think there is beauty behind the idea of how our work in producing this show will turn into a magical journey for kids by the end,” she said.  

LEADING THE CAST & CREW

Saxton-Rodriguez is usually the go-to person for all things costume- and wardrobe-related during the university’s theater season.

This time, though, she traded in the keys to her wardrobe shop for a director’s chair.

“Storytelling through the art of costume design is my one true love, but you get to paint a bigger picture as a director,” Saxton-Rodriguez said. “It’s almost like piloting a boat and working with your crew to get to our final destination, which is the final show.”

A key difference between overseeing wardrobe and directing is the amount of collaborative feedback and effort needed to make all the wheels turn and make a show come to life, she said.

“You assemble a team with everyone specializing in different things and different viewpoints, and the goal is to tell this story as a group,” she said. “Directing is basically asking, ‘Hey, what do you think of this?’ over and over again.”

Hence, the collaboration on Brownsville as the setting for the play.

ACCESS FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES

Saxton-Rodriguez said it is important to her to introduce as many children as possible to the theater world through this show, as part of UTRGV’s TYA series.

“The arts are important, and theater is for everyone,” she said. “This show might inspire kids in the audience to get involved in theater in the future.”

She believes early exposure to theater helps develop essential life skills and prepares young people for leadership roles.

“Many leaders were involved in theater as kids,” she said. “Theater teaches collaboration, problem-solving, meeting deadlines and working in high-pressure environments. It’s a valuable experience.”

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND

Performance dates and times for “Carmela Full of Wishes” are:

• Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m. (Free special preview)
• Friday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. 
• Sunday, April 27, 2 p.m. 

The shows are open to the general public.

Tickets can be purchased online or in-person at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre on the Edinburg Campus.

For more information about the UTRGV Department of Theatre, visit www.utrgv.edu/theatre/productions/shows.