Gabriella Roberts receives the 2026 Shirley Jo Finney Excellence Award
Our dear friend and colleague, Shirley Jo Finney, passed away on October 10, 2023. Shirley Jo was a bright light in our lives. She first came to direct for the Department of Theater and Dance in 2014. Over the next eight years, she returned several times to teach and direct. Her final project with us was the LAUNCH PAD Preview Production of Candrice Jones' A Medusa Thread. Shirley Jo was a wonderful teacher and gifted director. She brought out the best in absolutely everyone and had an unwavering commitment to nurturing young talent. We’re proud that her legacy lives on in the Shirley Jo Finney Excellence Award honoring a deserving acting or directing student who exemplifies Shirley Jo’s joyous spirit, generosity, and artistic excellence.
This year's recipient is Gabriella Roberts, a senior in the UCSB BFA Acting Program who embodies Shirley Jo's valued qualities both on and off the stage. Gabi's performance credits with the Department of Theater and Dance include Antonio in The Tempest with Naked Shakes, Lillian in Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, Elizabeth in LAUNCH PAD's The Crossing Party, and Clover in Animal Farm. Gabi will also be appearing as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet with Nakes Shakes, summer 2026.
Photos:
Shirley Jo Finney in rehearsal for The White Card at UCSB.
Gabriella Roberts.
Past Recipients
2025 ~ SARA SADJADI
Sara Sadjadi is a 2025 UCSB graduate with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Iranian Studies. Sara performed beautifully in many roles at UCSB, including Ashlee in Dance Nation, Lou in LAUNCH PAD's Strange Birds, and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing with Naked Shakes. Throughout her time at UCSB, Sara was an outstanding student who took great pride in meticulously preparing every assignment and every performance. The joy, generosity of spirit, and dedication to her art mirrored the many great qualities of Shirley Jo. We are excited to share that Sara will be in the Acting Apprentice Company at Milwaukee Repertory Theater for six months starting in the Fall, and will continue her acting career in Chicago immediately following. We wish her much success!
2024 ~ INDIGO RUNGE
Inaugural recipient (2024), Indigo Runge, received the award as an upcoming fourth year in the BFA Acting program. In addition to acting, she has aspirations of using her acting training to be a director and/or casting director. Indi graduated with many acting credits at UC Santa Barbara and took a keen interest in all aspects of theatre. Indi graduated in June 2025.
Shirley Jo Finney in rehearsal for A Medusa Thread by Candrice Jones.
With Imani Alis.
(photo credit: Jeff Liang)