We are pleased to share that Isabel Salazar (BFA Acting ’26) has received the 2026 Kensaku Asano Award.
The award was created in memory of Kensaku Asano by his family, friends, and colleagues. Kensaku studied Theatre and English Literature at UBC and worked as a theatre and television actor following graduation. He died of cancer at the age of 25.
The prize is awarded to a third- or fourth-year Theatre major or minor, in any stream, who demonstrates the qualities for which Kensaku was known: “an unshakeably positive attitude toward theatrical work, a gift for encouraging other students, and a healthy sense of humour at all times.”
Isabel Salazar is a passionate Filipino artist who is graduating from the BFA Acting program later this month. Her recent theatre roles include Maria and Edna Krabappel in Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, Becca in Common: Hope is in Winnipeg, The Doctor of Philosophy in The Arsonists, and Clarice in A Servant of Two Masters. Isabel is a member of the UBC Puppetry Initiative.
On receiving the award Isabel had this to share:
“I am deeply grateful for the support of my teammates in the UBC Puppetry Initiative—especially Krista Ellis, who not only nominated me for this award, but also offered constant encouragement as I navigated my final year at UBC.
This past year, I struggled with burnout. However, by creating simple puppetry performances for children with the UBC Puppetry Initiative, and witnessing how theatre can ignite their imagination, I was able to rediscover my passion for performing.
As I graduate from the BFA Acting program, receiving the Kensaku Asano Award inspires me to continue growing this initiative so that children can experience the joy of seeing live theatre—and future students, in turn, can experience the joy of performing for young audiences.”
Congratulations, Isabel!
