Student Blogger: Eva Viciana - Page 2

Broadway owes much of its soul to queer people. They have created, costumed, composed, choreographed, and carried this stage long before there was space to be openly celebrated. And still, even now, queerness is often invited to perform but not to lead.

On June 21, 2025, JOY: A New True Musical had its very first preview. I feel incredibly grateful to play even a small part on the marketing team, helping the show take its first steps into the world. Being there for that moment, watching something so personal and heartfelt finally meet an audience, was a privilege I won’t forget.

I’ve always seen Broadway as a kind of benchmark for where theater is at, not just in terms of quality but in terms of what the industry values. So when I heard that this season was the highest-grossing in Broadway history, it definitely caught my attention. It was encouraging to see that audiences were coming back in such big numbers and that live performance is still drawing crowds in a major way. 

We live in a world, especially in the arts, where “becoming” has almost become a brand. We post our breakthroughs, our quiet healing moments, our sunlit mornings with coffee and a journal, but only when they look poetic. We talk about progress, but we often polish even our vulnerability until it shines. Like sunsets, we capture the golden hour, the soft light, the aesthetic peace, but we rarely show what comes before or after.

The performing arts demand a unique form of vulnerability. Artists, whether on stage or behind the scenes, share their deepest emotions with audiences, often at the expense of their own mental and emotional well-being. In an industry where perfectionism and emotional intensity are paramount, the distinction between the artist and their work becomes blurred, leading to mental health challenges that are often overlooked. 

Today marks my 20th birthday. That feels surreal to say out loud. For someone who has spent most of her life in motion—as a dancer, a performer, and someone constantly chasing growth—it is both humbling and eye-opening to pause and reflect. This milestone doesn’t just mark another year; it invites a moment to truly acknowledge how much has shifted within me, around me, and through me. 

They always say it’s a whirlwind this time of year, and honestly, that feels about right. It’s trying to juggle a million things at once, hoping nothing falls apart. As an Entertainment Business major training in the performing arts, I’m constantly juggling the push and pull between creative expression and the pressures of academic and professional life.

Every spring break, Oklahoma City University gives its performing arts students the chance to step beyond the classroom and immerse themselves in the industry through OCUNYC. More than just a training program, it is an opportunity to experience the professional world firsthand.

As the spring semester kicks off, the flurry of auditions, applications, and new opportunities begins to unfold. For many performing arts students, it’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing this season as a race to compile a list of accomplishments that will catch the attention of professors, casting directors, and future employers.

As the spring semester kicks off, so does the whirlwind of auditions, applications, and fresh opportunities. For many performing arts students, it's tempting to fall into the trap of treating this season like a race where the goal is to stack accomplishments that will impress professors, casting directors, and future employers.

Hi there, and welcome to my first ever blog post! My name is Eva Viciana, and I’m so excited to share my journey in the world of entertainment with you all! Currently, I’m studying Entertainment Business at Oklahoma City University.