Brownsville arts festival returns with ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Peanuts,’ ‘Blue’s Clues’ talent

A downtown arts festival is returning with a lineup that spans major film franchises, children’s television, and cross-border talent, bringing industry professionals directly to the Rio Grande Valley.

“Mitte in Motion,” a one-day event in the Mitte Cultural District, will feature actors, filmmakers, musicians, and other professionals leading workshops and performances designed to give residents hands-on exposure to careers in the arts.

Brownsville Actor R.J. Mitte of “Breaking Bad,” partnered with his family a few years ago to help launch the festival. His grandparents, Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte, founded the Mitte Foundation, which the district is named after. 

Who’s coming

• Miguel Rodarte — Actor in Narcos: Mexico and Mexican film/TV
  
• Steve Burns — Original host of Blue’s Clues
  
• Craig Wayne Boyd — Winner of The Voice
  
• R.J. Mitte — Actor in Breaking Bad
  
• Kirk Thatcher — Emmy-winning director who worked on Return of the Jedi (Star Wars) and The Muppets
  
• Patricia Patts — Voice of Peppermint Patty in Peanuts
  
• Oscar Cásares — Brownsville-born author focused on life along the Texas-Mexico border
  
• Monty Geer — Actor and comedian known for MTV’s Awkward
  

Additional participants include actors, filmmakers, producers, and artists working across film, television, music, and visual arts.

Access to industry professionals

The festival is structured around participation, with attendees able to engage directly with visiting creatives through workshops, demonstrations, and live sessions.

Programming is expected to cover multiple disciplines, including acting, filmmaking, writing, music, and production, offering a broader look at how projects are developed and produced.

The event is free and open to the public, lowering barriers for students, aspiring creatives, and families interested in exploring opportunities in the arts.

Building a creative pipeline

Organizers say the goal is to connect residents with professionals working across the entertainment industry while strengthening Brownsville’s role as a growing hub for arts and cultural activity.

The lineup spans multiple parts of the industry, from on-screen talent to behind-the-scenes roles such as directing, production, and talent representation.

Officials say events like “Mitte in Motion” can help build long-term momentum by supporting local talent, increasing exposure to creative careers, and expanding the region’s cultural economy.