Christine Avila '69

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Christine Avila ’69 is in rehearsals for the world premiere of "Detained," opening Feb. 19 at  The Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. Performances will continue through April 10 with three public previews taking place Feb. 16–18. The play is a compilation of true stories that explores the rippling impact of mass deportations on families.

Avila is not the only Bruin associated with the production: she recently discovered that one of the theatre’s board members, Maggie Phillips, is a Bruin who lived in Mira Hershey Hall, then a dorm for women, at the same time, 1965, as she did.

Avila is an accomplished actress, dancer and voice artist, as well as an educator who was honored with a Teacher of the Year award by UCLA Extension. She is a longtime member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, and an invited member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Avila is a seven-time participant in the Sundance Playwrights' Lab and an active member of The Open Fist Theatre Company and L.A.'s Classical Theatre Lab.  She was in the original cast of "Zoot Suit" (Mark Taper Forum) and "La Posada Majica" (South Coast Repertory), and has been Acknowledged by the City of Los Angeles for her work in ARTREACH/Fred C. Nelles School for Boys and at LMU (Dept of Theatre). Her film work includes "Liar, Liar" and "Innerspace."

Avila recently shared some memories of her time at UCLA, which has played a large part in her family's lives.

Both Avila and McClure, who was featured in several popular movies, including "Smokey and the Bandit," "Hooper," and "The Cannonball Run," earned their degrees in theatre arts.  Judging by their accomplishments, both during and after their UCLA days, that experience served them well.