The City of Arlington and Walkable Arlington discussed the city’s form-based code changes Tuesday at the Central Library. During the Q&A, the speakers touched on zoning codes, how to connect UTA to Arlington’s Entertainment District and updating the city’s bike network system. Form-based code, unlike traditional zoning methods, focuses on the physical form of buildings and public spaces, not the land usage. It emphasizes how buildings interact with streets, sidewalks and public spaces. Principal planner Tharani Devi Palma said there are different types of zoning known as “land uses.” The form-based code will not be about the uses but about the look of the building. Palma said an example of a form-based code can be seen with infrastructure improvements like traffic lighting and a designated pedestrian walkway. “The vision here is to create a more walkable and pedestrian-friendly environment,” she said. Jay Narayana, consultant project manager at Livable Plans and Codes, said in order to improve the bike network, bikes should have dedicated right of ways. They’ve looked into implementing “shared streets,” where pedestrians, bikes and cars all share the right of way, as seen in Europe. “We’re looking at some of those ideas, not on the main corridors but at least where you can actually take advantage of future redevelopment,” she said. Software engineering sophomore Liam Crowley said he believes in the power of UTA students’ involvement in Arlington’s development and said their presence in community planning meetings can help shape the city’s future. “Arlington has good bones and a lot of good potential and good plans, I want to see those plans realized,” he said. “I think Arlington is currently not a great place for cycling and for walkability, but it could be a lot worse, and I think we have good momentum.” Walkable Arlington President Hyacinth Szabó said they envision an affordable and pedestrian-friendly university. “We share a vision for what the City of Arlington should be like,” Szabó said. “We all care about sustainability, we all care about safety.” news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The dream took center stage as the Black Theater Society’s rendition of Cinderella sprang to life in the Rosebud Theater on Sunday afternoon, offering audiences a fresh, heartfelt retelling of the classic fairy tale. Gabrielle Malbrough, Black Theater Society president and scene designer for the play, said the organization centers artists of color. It focuses on advocacy, education and celebration within the theater world, and aims to create a safe space for artistic growth, mentorship and community. Malbrough said theater often isn’t catered toward minorities, so the play provided an opportunity to represent Black culture in a unique space. “I'm happy to be able to have a space like this, and to have people be on the stage and feel themselves and learn,” Malbrough said. “I'm just happy I could be a cultivator of that.” The Black Theater Society played a significant role in the production, with many members involved onstage and behind the scenes, she said. Nearly half the cast were members, and several students on the executive board held production roles. Malbrough said that the decision to produce this particular play, a reimagining of Cinderella, was largely influenced by London Crawford, the playwright and associate director, who saw a need for more Black voices in the department. “I think London did a really beautiful job of trying to integrate culture into this story, and having a story where Black people can look there and kind of see themselves,” she said. T’niyah McLaughlin, actress executive producer, production manager and interim costume designer for the production said their work came at a critical time. The Black theater community was pushing for a show reflecting their identity and were tired of being overlooked, she said. This production ensures every detail, from costumes to crew, was rooted in shared cultural experience and feeling. “We're gonna do our own thing, and we're gonna make it as Black as possible,” McLaughlin said’ “And that's exactly what you see up here.” GeCamri Amberay, who stars as Cinderella, said representation means feeling included and seen. She said it's about being visible from a young age and not being restricted or hidden for who we are. Crawford said what sets this version of Cinderella apart is the emotional depth given to characters overlooked in other renditions. Characters like the prince and stepmother, who tend to be flat in traditional tellings, were given backstories and growth. “I wanted to show a positive relationship between a Black boy and his father, but also that Black boys can also get wishes,” he said. “So, I think those things make it stand out.” Seeing the show come to life was a deeply emotional experience for Crawford. He said he cried through the first few numbers, overwhelmed by hearing his words brought to life on stage. The journey from script to stage took several months. Crawford completed the script in October, then casting followed in November and full rehearsals began late February. One of the most powerful shifts in this reimagining is the redemption of the stepmother Mona. Crawford said no one is inherently evil in this version. This layered portrayal of McLaughlin, who played Mona. While she’s played many villains in the past, Mona was one of the few characters where she felt the audience could truly sympathize with, she said. McLaughlin said portraying Mona was a challenge because her cruelty stems from deep pain. She’s a wounded woman whose harshness stems from misplaced attempts to protect Cinderella from the world. “London did not want the ‘angry Black woman, mother’ to be portrayed. Although that is her character, I didn't want it to fall into that stereotype,” she said. McLaughlin, who stepped in as interim costume designer just three weeks before the show, said the team had to be resourceful with their tight $1,200 budget, relying on collaboration and creativity to make costumes work. She worked closely with director co-choreographer Jess Anoruigwe to reflect the characters' emotional journeys through their clothing, especially Cinderella’s transformation, while encouraging actor input to ensure authenticity. “A lot of those costumes you see from their closets and ensemble members, they created, their own name, their own story, their own everything,” she said. “You see the costumes kind of reflect that.” Anoruigwe, described the production as a blend of play and musical, with dance replacing traditional song. Movement was used as a storytelling tool to express the characters’ internal emotions — desire, conflict and longing — especially where words fell short, she said. She said in one scene the lack of synchronicity in the choreography between the king and queen physically represents tension in their relationship. Kalumbu Tshibangu, who plays King Marcellus, said he begins with breathwork and warmups, then mentally steps into the role by doing dialogue with the character until the lines blur and he fully embodies the the role. A collective favorite memory among the cast is their water gun rehearsal. Tshibangu said it not only helped the actors understand their characters' intentions in the scene, but also gave them a chance to let loose and have fun. Amberay said the cast grew close while working. It started with a simple ritual where the cast would go around sharing what they’re thankful for, and over time, they started saying each other. She said that even though she was pre-casted as Cinderella, she still auditioned to keep the process fair. She worked hard to differentiate the character from other meek characters she's played, focusing on making her quirky, yet strong. Even while nearing opening night, Amberay continued to discover new aspects of her character. Prince Williams, who plays the Emcee, said her character process draws heavily from her love of Dungeons & Dragons. She builds each role from the ground up — crafting traits, flaws and even objects the character would carry. “I always have an objective for the character in each scene and also throughout the show,” she said. “Even though the character might not have lines, the character still has an objective.” Williams said performing with the cast required a lot of trust and energy-sharing, especially in big ensemble scenes like the buzz drumline. She said moments like that worked because the cast supported each other and gave energy when others needed it and to create space to lead or follow as needed. Williams said she hopes audiences walk away knowing this shouldn’t be the last all-Black reimagining of a classic. She said the show is a reminder that traditions can be reshaped, and now is the time to change things for the better. “For some of the people who are in the audience that have a dream to dance, have a dream to write, have a dream to tell stories like these. This is to show that things are possible,” she said. @taylor._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From baseball to jazz, there’s fun to be had for Dallas-Fort Worth area residents this week. Sports At 7:05 p.m. Friday residents can visit Globe Life Field to watch the Texas Rangers bat it out against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tickets start at $70 and can be purchased online. The Arlington Renegades play against the St. Louis Battlehawks at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Choctaw Stadium. Tickets start at $17 and are available online. Entertainment See Spyro Gyra live 8 p.m. Friday at the Arlington Music Hall to experience the fusion of jazz, R&B, funk and Latin sounds the band is known for. Doors open 6 p.m. and tickets are available online, starting at $32. Head to the Arlington Music Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday to watch the gospel stage play Never Would’ve Made It Without You for a night filled with live music, speeches and special surprises for attendees. Tickets are $25 and are available online. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The aromas of Twiggy’z Mangonadas y Mas fill The Park nearly every Wednesday afternoon. Situated between Trimble Hall and the UTA Planetarium, The Park hosts local food trucks weekly for students and staff to enjoy during lunch rush. While the university offers various dining options, Jennifer Lookenbill, Maverick Dining director of operations, compared the feeling to searching a fridge full of food and still finding “nothing to eat.” “When you see the same variety day in and day out, you almost become numb to what the offerings are,” Lookenbill said. Twiggy’z owner Frank Leija first brought his business to The Park last fall, quickly becoming a fan favorite. The business’ staples include elote with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, tacos, homemade marinated bistek, nachos and more. The name Twiggy’z is inspired by Leija’s 13-year-old daughter, whose nickname growing up was “Twigz” due to her petite frame. His logo incorporates a rainbow unicorn horn in place of the ‘i,’ another nod to his daughter, who loves the magical creature. Leija’s wife fell ill a few years ago, leaving her unable to work. This left the family in a difficult financial situation as they faced homelessness. In the midst of it, his daughter asked him for a snow cone machine. Leija said he purchased one off of eBay and got two deep freezers from Facebook. His children made cardboard signs displaying his phone number, and soon, the family was getting calls and selling $0.50 snow cones from their Dodge Caravan. “We were in neighborhoods, and then we were in taco shops, tire shops, warehouses. Then, going into that first year, we got our first party,” he said. Gaining momentum in their second year of business, COVID-19 caused traction to slow down as Leija got sick as well. Soon after getting up and running again nearly two years ago, the family lost their home to a fire. Close to being put out of the hotel they were staying at, a customer he catered a quinceañera for remembered his kindness and offered them a house for rent in Lancaster, Texas. Leija began working again, selling snow cones and tacos on an empty acre of land bordering the city and Red Oak, Texas. While working out there, Leija said a customer’s parents heard he was going through a rough patch and asked him to name three things he needed help with. Among the three wishes, he said he wanted a trailer. “About two weeks later he took me out to Tyler, Texas, to a ranch, and the trailer was sitting just rusted. No windows, no tires, animals living in it and trash all in it,” Leija said. “He said, ‘Can you do something with that?’ I was like, ‘Man, I told you, if I had a trailer, I’d be unstoppable.’” After taking the trailer to a body shop and adding Leija’s desires — three windows, a grill and a cooler — he said the rest is history. “It went beyond my expectations. Not in my wildest dreams I thought I’d be here,” Leija said, gesturing to the UTA campus. “When I got invited here, I’m still in awe.” Growing up with six brothers and two sisters, Leija said he spent a lot of time in the kitchen with his mother and grandmother when visiting México in the summer. Sharing his culture’s food with people from all walks of life and seeing them enjoy it is an amazing feeling, he said. “Not only you get to tell your friends, and they get to now experience what you grew up with or a delicacy for your culture,” Lookenbill said. “It’s fun because that’s building relationships. It’s building foundations. It’s building memories.” Molly Baggett, Maverick Dining marketing manager, said bringing food trucks of different cultures speaks to what UTA offers as a whole. With a stout international student population, bringing ethnic cuisine to campus allows university members to fully immerse themselves. Because the space used for The Park is small, Lookenbill said there can only be two food trucks at once. Though quickly becoming a weekly staple, she said they had to allow other businesses in the rotation. His first week absent from campus, Leija said he received around 60 messages from concerned UTA students. “The week we didn’t have Twiggy’z, it was a big uproar,” Lookenbill said. Support from the UTA community has been intense, but Leija said he couldn’t ask for more. “I just thank everybody, thank them all from the bottom of my heart,” Leija said. “My family, my kids, we all pray together. We say ‘Thank you.’ We’re beyond blessed to have y’all.” @hjgarcia0 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu