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

Sara Sadjadi receives the 2025 Shirley Jo Finney Excellence Award

headshot of Shirley Jo Finney

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. Those who had the honor of knowing Shirley Jo miss her dearly. 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 talent. This year’s recipient is Sara Sadjadi.

Sara Sadjadi headshot

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!

 

 

Shirley Jo Finney in rehearsal for The White Card at UCSB.
Sara Sadjadi. (photo credit: Chris Orwell)

 

Past Recipients

2024 ~ INDIGO RUNGE

Indigo Runge on stage

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 and Taylor Kirk rehearsal

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