Alumnus Lou Diamond Phillips returns to UTA for weeklong teaching residency
Actor, writer and director Lou Diamond Phillips is returning to The University of Texas at Arlington, his alma mater, for a weeklong residency in the College of Liberal Arts beginning Oct. 14.
The distinguished UTA alumnus is most notable for his portrayal of Ritchie Valens in “La Bamba” and his role as King of Siam in the Broadway revival of “The King and I.” Phillips (’85, BFA) was invited by UTA President Jennifer Cowley to mentor aspiring young actors and filmmakers preparing to enter the industry.
“As an actor, writer and director, it’s in me to pass the torch to the next generation and ignite their passion for their craft,” Phillips said. “I’m thrilled—very thrilled. UTA has made amazing advancements over the years, not only in academics, but for me more importantly in diversity. UTA has grown in size and grown in accessibility and opportunity for a lot of young students. Being a part of this and a product of that work means a lot.”
When Phillips arrived at UTA’s Theatre Arts Department as a student, he was cast in stage productions right away, including classic plays like “Dracula” and “The Physician in Spite of Himself.”
In his college years, Phillips said, he was heavily invested in launching his professional career. In between tap dance class, costume class and acting class, he began taking professional roles in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the film, television and commercial industry. He recounted that some of his first professional performances were at Stage West Theater in Fort Worth.
Jeanmarie Higgins, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, said she is looking forward to Phillips attending the University’s production of “Bright Star.”
“I’m really excited for our students to have Lou in the room watching their work,” Higgins said. “He was also in this department doing this kind of work—just like them.”
Higgins said she hopes the students can take from this residency that a life in the arts is within their reach.
“I want them to understand that if they dedicate themselves to lifelong learning and lifelong work, like Lou has, they can be successful,” said Higgins.
The Tony Award nominee will interact with students from the Department of Art and Art History and the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. He’ll lead classes in acting fundamentals, acting for the camera, directing, the business of acting and film aesthetics and analysis. Phillips will also be working with students from across the college in an all-day film shoot. August Davis, chair of the Department of Art and Art History, said "it will be a real privilege to have a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences like Lou directing our students."
“We’re excited to give our students the opportunity to learn from someone with a long and distinguished career in film and performance like Lou Diamond Phillips,” said Elizabeth Terese Newman, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “The activities our faculty and staff have planned are designed to show our students just how rewarding a career in the arts can be.”
For Phillips, returning to Arlington will be one of those full circle moments, he said. He is looking forward to working with the students and staff, but he’ll also have a chance to take something away, too.
“Anytime I teach, it reinvigorates my passion for what I do, and that passion is what I want to convey to the students,” Phillips said. “One of the wonderful things about the industry is that you can never stop learning. You should never stop learning things that will help you in your craft, and you can never stop learning about yourself.”