Graduation Spotlight: A.J. Villarreal, Performance Studies
A.J. Villarreal said he found a deeper understanding of the performing arts following his first semester at Texas A&M.
The Laredo native received his associate’s degree in theatre from Laredo Community College before he began his undergraduate degree in Performance Studies. Villarreal is now set to graduate Saturday with a Master of Arts in Performance Studies.
He will be honored as a distinguished student in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts’ Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday.
“It’s truly an honor to be chosen for this award,” he said. “I’m also deeply grateful to have been voted for by the professors, as their support and recognition make this achievement even more meaningful.”
Two courses were pivotal in his decision to enroll in the graduate program, he said: an Introduction to Performance Studies course with Dr. Angie Spalink, assistant professor, and a Seminar in Folklore course with Dr. David Donkor.
“In Dr. Spalink’s class, I immediately fell in love with applying the lens of performance studies to just about everything,” he said. “The graduate students in Dr. Donkor’s course also mentored me, welcomed my questions and made graduate study feel both exciting and accessible.”
Villarreal said his proudest achievement was his portfolio project titled “The Deer, The Hunter and The Wardrobe,” which was an immersive performance that explored aspects of hunting in Texas. He also participated in “Andy and Kate’s Garden Party,” hosted by visiting guest artists SALYER + SCHAAG, which was an interactive performance at the Leach Teaching Gardens in 2024.
“My portfolio project pushed boundaries of what immersive theatre can do, inviting the audience to engage not just intellectually, but emotionally and physically with the subject matter,” he said. “The ‘Garden Party’ was a great opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary, team-based environment, which came in handy for my own project.”
Villarreal also earned honors at the 2025 Pathways to the Profession Symposium at Tarleton State University on Feb. 3-4. The event featured a problem-solving competition for graduate students.
Villarreal and his team won first place for their creation of an app called “Job Spark,” which he describes as a job-matching platform designed to “combat systemic discrimination in hiring,” while providing career opportunities for students. He also created a jingle for the app and had the audience participate in a singalong during their presentation. Villarreal said the team was proud of what they achieved.
“It was validating to see that our solution had the potential to impact graduate education positively,” he said. “More than anything, it reinforced my belief in collaborative problem-solving and the power of innovative thinking in academia.”
Villarreal credited Spalink, who is now also program director for the Performance Studies master’s program, for her mentorship. He said she created a classroom environment where he felt supported and encouraged to grow.
“Throughout the program, she’s listened to every rant, celebrated every accomplishment and reminded me often with superhero poses and quick pep talks to take a breath and keep going,” he said. “She has been an incredible advisor, and most importantly a true friend throughout this journey.”
Villarreal said he is applying for adjunct teaching positions across Texas to gain experience before pursuing a doctoral degree program. His dream is to continue his research on the intersectionality of animals and humans at a university level. He also hopes to own a theatre and showcase work by marginalized communities.
“I envision my theatre as a collaborative, community-focused space, where performance isn’t just an art form, but a platform for activism and cultural dialogue,” he said.
Photo by Kamren Lang.
