Shirley Jo Finney Excellence Award

photo of Shirley Jo Finney

screenshot of award description

picture of Shirley Jo in an interview

link to contribute to the SJ Finney Award

Indigo Runge receives the first
Shirley Jo Finney Excellence Award

Shirley Jo Finney and Taylor Kirk rehearsal

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 Theater/Dance Department in 2014. Over the next 8 years, she returned several times to teach and direct, most recently Candrice Jones' "A Medusa Thread." You can read more about her incredible career here. Shirley Jo was a wonderful teacher and gifted director. She brought out the best in absolutely everyone she came in contact with. Those who had the honor of knowing Shirley Jo miss her dearly. Her legacy lives on through the "Shirley Jo Finney Excellence Award" which honors a deserving acting or directing student who exemplifies Shirley Jo's joyous spirit, generostiy, and talent. 

Indigo Runge on stage

Inaugural recipient, Indigo Runge, is 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 has many acting credits at UC Santa Barbara and has taken a keen interest in all aspects of theatre. We congratulate Indi on this award and look forward to seeing her continue to shine in her final year with us. 

 

 

 

Shirley Jo Finney in rehearsal for A Medusa Thread by Candrice Jones. With Imani Alis.
Indigo Runge in rehearsal.
(photo credits: Jeff Liang)