Creative Communities
Brown Bag Theatre Company
How Claire Trevor School of the Arts clubs cultivate belonging and equity beyond the classroom and across campus
By Diana Kalaji
At UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA), students’ success goes beyond main-stage productions, choral performances and thesis exhibitions. With over 100 clubs on campus, organizations tied to CTSA provide students with spaces of belonging, community and maximum creative opportunities. Clubs like Brown Bag Theatre Company, rooted in highlighting Latinx theatre and experiences through performance, and Bare Bones Dance Theater, which promotes inclusivity by offering workshops to dancers at any skill level, provide unique spaces for expression. Catalyst Undergraduate Art Gallery, the only student-led art gallery on campus, supports the growth of emerging artists, while touring choral ensemble Voces brings vocalists together to perform locally and internationally, building a global community. Each organization contributes something special, enriching the fabric of CTSA and creating a sense of home.
Brown Bag Theatre Company
“At the forefront of Brown Bag is the ability to create a community that has no bounds and no judgments,” said Nadia Garza ’25, a leadership team member of Brown Bag Theater Company (BBTC).
Founded in 2012 with only three members, BBTC’s goal was to expand Latinx theatre at UC Irvine. Over a decade later, the club now has hundreds of supporters witnessing productions showcasing how art can be a cultural force for transformation and community enrichment. With works centered on Latinx experiences, BBTC creates an environment where people’s creativity and identities are held sacred.
“At the forefront of Brown Bag is the ability to create a community that has no bounds and no judgments.”
“In this day and age, there are not enough places that people can go to for a sense of security,” said Garza. “The goal of BBTC is to foster a sense of community.”
With the support of CTSA, BBTC has presented powerful productions in the Little Theatre, Nixon Theatre and Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL). These include Mojada, which explores a family’s journey across the Mexican-American border, and Real Women Have Curves, which examines gender politics, body positivity and the Latina immigrant experience.
“Our theme this year is Finding Light Under the Rubble: A Season of Seeking Hope,” said Garza. “We want to highlight the trials and triumphs of different experiences with the utmost care.”
Image: Brown Bag Theatre club members tabling at the annual Arts Involvement Fair at CTSA. Photo: Emily Zheng
When deciding the theme for the 2025 season, club members participated in story circles, sharing their unique experiences to find a central theme for the year's productions. A production to look forward to, with a title yet to be revealed, is about a singular story told between generations of women and how they each process it differently.
“Every year, there is a strive to continue to uplift our community,” said Garza. “Everyone gives so much; it's hard not to want to shoot for the stars.”
Bare Bones Dance Theater
“Bare Bones Dance Theater makes dance accessible on campus,” said Sarah Sun ’25, executive and artistic co-director of Bare Bones Dance Theater (BBDT).
With over 37 years of history, BBDT is one of UC Irvine’s oldest clubs committed to inclusivity and artistic freedom. The club hosts an annual dance concert where undergraduate dance majors and the broader UC Irvine community create a professional theatrical experience. BBDT also offers free, donation-based workshops taught by industry professionals, welcoming students at any dance level.
Image: BBDT performance of Purrr, choreographed by Randy Phalouka ’24. Photo: Taesung Hwang.
“Studying dance can be rigid, and that’s not for everybody,” said Carly Fiskness ’25, executive and artistic co-director of BBDT. “Bare Bones is a great place where no one is grading you — you can express yourself creatively, no matter how much experience you have.”
Although dance is at the core of BBDT, the club encourages its members to step out of their comfort zones and develop skills in areas like arts administration and lighting design.
“Bare Bones isn’t just about dance,” said Sun. “It’s lighting, costume design, business administration and more. It’s a butterfly effect where one workshop can change your life.”
The club’s impact stretches beyond the campus at UC Irvine. BBDT is committed to communal outreach, with local high schools and middle schools invited to showcases and rehearsals. Dance is often a communal experience, and that sentiment drives BBDT.
“Through the Collegiate Conference for Movement Artists, we partner with colleges across Southern California to create a weekend of dance,” said Fiskness. “It’s a great way to connect with people and gain new perspectives.”
For those considering joining a club like BBDT, Sun and Fiskness emphasize the value of investing in your creative practice.
Image: Bare Bones 2023-2024 Board. Photo: Taesung Hwang.
“You get out what you put into the club,” said Sun. “Whether you attend workshops or choreograph a piece, the experience can be one of your best moments at UCI.”
Catalyst Undergraduate Art Gallery
“Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where all students, regardless of race or gender, can showcase their work in a gallery space,” said Aejin Yi, head curator of Catalyst Undergraduate Art Gallery.
As UC Irvine’s only fully student-run art gallery, Catalyst serves as a hub that supports the creative, academic and social growth of students across campus.
Image: Catalyst club members invite students to draw at the annual Arts Involvement Fair at CTSA. Photo: Emily Zheng.
When Yi decided to join Catalyst, she wanted to find belonging outside of the classroom.
“I felt disconnected from my community,” said Yi. “Since joining Catalyst, I’ve gained confidence as an artist. Having supportive peers helped me be more open and prouder of my work.”
Throughout the year, Catalyst hosts open calls for students to be featured in the gallery, including one that coincides with Tenth Thursday, the Department of Art’s largest exhibition, showcasing work from all art classes. This timing allows members to reach a broader audience for their work on campus, regardless of major.
“Having supportive peers helped me be more open and prouder of my work.”
During the fall quarter, the club has a readymade tradition where anyone can come to the galley with their completed artwork and have it on display. With numerous possibilities, Catalyst welcomes students to step out of their artistic box.
“Don’t be afraid to submit your work,” said Yi. “You never know the impact your art has — any medium and message you use has an impact!”
Voces
“Voces has been a blessing to my career and academic development,” said Michael Castigador Balerite, Voces choir ensemble member. “Not only as a musician but as part of a community united by the goal of making music.”
Voces is a student-run touring choral group in partnership with the UC Irvine Chamber Singers. From Ireland to New York City and plans to perform in Portugal next year, Voces opens new pathways for students to unlock their creativity and have enriching experiences.
Image: Voces and UCI Choir in NYC before their performance in Carnegie Hall. Photo: Toni Dulce.
“We were able to sing at Carnegie Hall,” said Balerite. “It was my first time in New York City, and to be in a metropolis built on making art made it all the more special.”
Members range from music to non-music majors whose musical knowledge goes the extra mile in singing challenging music.
“The pieces we perform are not just fun, they’re emotional,” said Balerite. “They bring the listener and the performer’s mind to conceiving the world differently.”
The ensemble sees its audience as important to the singers themselves. The relationship between the performer and participant creates greater connections.
“Without the community, without the people who can admire, laugh and cry — what we do is irrelevant,” said Balerite. “We members of Voces go into every rehearsal knowing that there is a soul who will be touched by our singing.”
To learn more about CTSA-affiliated student clubs, visit arts.uci.edu/student-clubs.
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