Degree: B.A. Speech* and Theatre Arts; B.S. Communications
Profession: Actor and Guest Service Representative, Wilmington, N.C.
Why Western? I actually knew nothing about the school and decided to check it out because my brother was there majoring in German at the time. I had been to Western a few times and liked the feel of the campus. I happened to REALLY LUCK OUT.
Your Western experience: It was probably the first major turning point in my life. I gained so much in terms of knowledge and experience from the faculty at Western--and not just in the theatre department.
I also had a chance to work with a close-knit bunch of talented students. I could learn--I DID learn--as much by watching their work as learning from my teachers. In my experience, I am the actor I am today because of the department at Western.
How did your studies contribute to your career choice? I doubt I'll be happy doing anything other than acting. At Western I gained valuable experience doing incredible shows and I learned a great deal about the professional side of theater. That alone has helped me in other professional performance areas.
Advice for students: Please do not waste anybody's time doing what you don't want to. Let the faculty give you the push, but pedal on your own.
Into the future: I came to Wilmington to do film and theater work. I have been one of the lucky ones to have done that on top of voice acting for Japanese Animation, helping begin and produce a sketch comedy troupe, and having had opportunities to work in other aspects of theater. In a year I plan to move to Chicago and give that a spin.
* No longer offered