Dr. Diego Villada is an Assistant Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies at New College of Florida. Before moving back to the Sunshine State, he was a K. Leroy Irvis Fellow in Theatre Arts at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Villada's production work centers on movement for the stage in the areas of directing and fight choreography. His academic research focuses on theatre pedagogy, contemporary Black drama, and contemporary Latin American performance.
Some of his mentors include world-renowned teachers and artists such as: Dr. Lisa Jackson-Schebetta, Dr. Michelle Granshaw, Rick Sordelet, J. David Brimmer, Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Janet Rogers, Dr. Aaron Anderson, John David Lutz, Christia Ward, Andrea Kidd, Graciela Binghi, Chuck Meacham, and Kevin Cunningham.
Dr. Villada has performed, directed, and choreographed for companies such as: Hostos Repertory Theatre (NYC), Nuyorican Poets Cafe (NYC), 3-Legged Dog Media & Theatre Group (NYC), Gallery Players (NYC), Chautauqua Theater Company (NY), New Prospectives Theatre Company (NYC), M Ensemble (Miami, FL), Urbanite Theatre (Sarasota, FL), The Barksdale Theater (Richmond, VA), and The Conciliation Project (Richmond, VA).
Dr. Villada's family is from Pereira, Colombia. He was born in New York City and raised in Miami, FL. He currently lives in Sarasota with his partner Amelia Villada, who is a doula and childbirth educator. They have three kids: Aiden, Isla, and Ezra. Aside from being a lifelong martial artist, Dr. Villada is an aficionado of Star Trek, jello, cheesecake, and single malt scotch.
Credentials
Dr. Villada earned his Doctorate in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University and an Honors Bachelor of Science from the University of Evansville in both Psychology and Theatre Performance. He studied abroad in the United Kingdom at Harlaxton College, earning a Writ of Achievement in British Studies.
Ph.D
MFA
BS, cum laude
Writ of Achievement (UK)