Educator
and
Theatre Director
ASU Gammage 2023-24 Scholar
Presidential Graduate Assistant
Arizona State University
Herberger Institute
All About Crestcencia Ortiz-Barnett, Ph.D.
Crestcencia Ortiz-Barnett, Affectionately known as CeCe, is a motivated and passionate Educator and Theatre Director from Detroit, Michigan. Crestcencia believes that theatre is a transformative art form and has the power to impact lives though the influence of story telling. Each performance reflects the human experience and gives us a glimpse into our current society. Her aim is to grow as a skilled and recognized Educator and Theatre Director with notable research on sense of belonging for students of color in higher education and the impact of student theatre organizations that center on the Black lived experience and belongingness.
CeCe holds an Associates in Education, a Bachelors in theatre studies, a Masters in Theatre with a concentration in African American Theatre, a Ph.D in Education (Curriculum Accessment and Instruction) and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Directing (2024).
Please browse her site to view highlights of her work, and get in touch with any questions.
Directing Experience
Detroit 67 by Dominique Morriseau
Arizona State University (2024)
Pipeline by Dominique Morriseau
Arizona State University
NEAT by Charlayne Woodard
Arizona State University
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Paul Harris Theatre
Miss Evers' Boys by David Feldshuh
University of Las Vegas
Paul Harris Theatre
Instructions On How To Love A Black Girl by J. Rich
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Paul Harris Theatre
Aladdin Jr. by Chad Beguelin
Shreveport Little Theatre, LA
Assistant Directing Experience
EVERYBODY By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Arizona State University
Bright Star by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell
Arizona State University
Seven Guitars by August Wilson
Nevada Conservatory Theatre
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Nevada Conservatory Theatre
The Mystery Of Irma Vep by Charles Ludlum
Auburn University Montgomery Theatre
Blues for Mr. Charlie by James Baldwin
Auburn University Montgomery
Related Experience
Stage Manager for Auburn University Theatre, 1 season
Sound Technician for Bossier Parish Community College “Peter Pan” production
Spotlight operator for Nevada Conservatory Theatre for “Christmas Carol” production
Producer UNLV student theatre for “Fabulation” production
Lighting Technician for Auburn University Theatre for “Fiddler on the roof” production
Wardrobe Assistant for Disney on Ice
Education / Training
Arizona State University MFA Directing, Present
University of Arizona Global Campus, Ph.D. Education 2023
University of Nevada Las Vegas, MA Theatre 2015
Auburn University, Photography Certification 2015
ITTT TEFL Teaching Certification 2012
University of Nevada Las Vegas, BA Theatre 2010
Stage Management Workshop, AUM, 2007
Research
Dissertation
Ortiz-Barnett, Crestcencia Lynn. "A Phenomenological Exploration of Sense of Belonging in First-Generation African American Female Students and Its Influence on Persistence to Graduation" University of Arizona Global Campus ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2023. 30523371.
Thesis
Ortiz-Barnett, Crestcencia Lynn, "African American Student Theatre Organization Involvement and the College Experience at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas" (2015). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 2404.
Awards
Arizona State University Catalyst Award
Since 2017, the Committee for Campus Inclusion Catalyst Award honors individuals, groups, teams, clubs, organizations/units and programs that have catalyzed change by fostering and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Arizona State University JEDI Award
GPSA Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI), Social Justice Spotlight Award
2022 Best Graduate Mentor Award
Award given by ASU Music Dance and Theatre program.
Presidential Graduate Assistantship Professional Development Award
Award given by ASU Graduate College
Artistic Director of Excellence Award
Award given by the African American Student Association for Theatre and Film.
Humanitarian Award
Award given by Delta Tau Lambda Sorority Inc.
Graduate Roosevelt Fitzgerald Award
Award Given by University of Nevada, Las Vegas Graduate Department
Alumni of Excellence Award
Award given by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Academic Success Center.
Commitment to diversity
Award given by University of Nevada Las Vegas Civic Engagement & Diversity Department.
Founder of The African American Student Association for Theatre and Film
University of Nevada Las Vegas (2012)
Founder of The Black Theatre Organization (2022)
Arizona State University
