Theatre kids are no strangers to busy schedules. I feel like around every corner there’s a new show, a new scene to memorize, a new song to learn, another audition to prepare for, etc. Scheduling becomes a feat one must master through communication.

I am no stranger to a full schedule in the realm of theatre, usually finding myself engaged in several projects at once. My current calendar, for better or worse, is no different.

Declaring your major can be very daunting, especially when you aren’t sure what you want to study. As someone who’s had many different career aspirations throughout my lifetime, I eventually figured out what interests me. It was a long journey, but now I can successfully say I declared my major in something I am passionate about.

Over the past several years, TikTok has become one of the most used apps globally. Personally, the app has become my main hub for doom-scrolling: I am able to consume hours of media and retain virtually zero information. While I am not proud of this “talent,” I have come to understand that it is a shared tendency among many of my peers.

I may be in my 16th and final year of schooling, but that doesn’t make back to school any less fun (or any less busy). Juggling classes, a job, and theater is a feat not for the faint of heart, but it’s very rewarding.

As theater lovers and aspiring industry professionals, staying musically literate is extremely important. You can learn just as much watching live productions as you can in class, not to mention it’s a great way to support your local arts community. However, being a patron of the arts isn’t exactly college-budget friendly, so I’ve compiled a list of ways to support the arts and stay musically literate on a college student budget.

I am taking a German class while studying abroad in Austria, and one of my recent assignments was to use the language in real life. I went to a local theater, the Josefstadt, and bought a ticket to an upcoming show!

I’ve been trying to only say yes to things that I know are going to fulfil me and fill up my cup and not take away from it. They are going to help feel better mentally and physically.

As someone who breezed through a lot of school, I, admittedly, haven’t always had the best study skills or habits. Here's how I'm trying to fix that.

As I reflect on my dramaturgical education over the past two years – which feels like a lifetime but is really only the blink of an eye – it’s fascinating to see how my view of what dramaturgy is has shifted and transformed. What once existed in my mind’s eye as an inaccessible, optional aspect of a production process has become the very foundation of any project I work on artistically, regardless of my role.

October, the month of change, is upon us. The leaves turn from a tranquil green to a crunchy burnt orange, the morning air becomes less balmy and gains a biting crispiness, and my grades always decline. Curse you, midterms. Alas, some things never change; I still find time to dance with my friends, watch The Office, and act a fool on campus.

This whole process has made me realize just how important it is to really expand your own understanding and to work in a sort of multi-disciplinary way.

When I leave in the morning, I double check that I have everything I need before I leave my apartment. Phone, wallet, keys, notebook, script, binder, highlighters, water bottle, pencils, snacks — it can get overwhelming! Here’s my list of Director Rehearsal Bag Essentials that make my life a little bit easier on the days I am out from 10AM- 10PM.

As a double BFA reject (both Acting and Musical Theatre) student who now studies directing in a Theatre Arts B.A. program, I wanted to share the things I enjoy about the B.A. route that I wouldn't be able to get had I been in a BFA program. This is in NO way to throw any shade at BFA programs, but sometimes your journey changes along the way and the things you don't want to happen can turn into great opportunities.

Although I miss having my own bedroom and bathroom and midterm season never really ends here, I feel like I’m finally in a good rhythm. I can navigate around campus pretty well, I’m managing my courseload, and I’m keeping myself alive, so I think college has been a success so far. 

Midterms are a struggle for people of all academic pursuits and levels, but nothing compares to staring down one of your worst subjects and realizing both you and your grade might just crack under the pressure. This was the unfortunate scenario I found myself in this midterm season and, surprisingly, it did not go as expected.

My first time being involved with a department-run show at UC San Diego would not come until recently, and so as an underclassman, my quarters were spent focused on pursuing student-led theater. To this day, my favorite rehearsal process and show run I’ve ever had the privilege to be part of was The Rocky Horror Show, directed by Danniel Ureña and Roselle Castro.

In July I spent a few days in New York City, and one morning, I had the chance to grab breakfast with a director I admire who graduated from UCSD. About midway through our conversation, she asked me a question so stunningly simple that for a few seconds I had no idea how to answer. “What do you want to do this year?”

If you’d told me that I’d learn an entire musical in two days, have one rehearsal, and then perform an entire weekend of shows, I definitely would not have believed you. But in April of this year, that’s exactly what I did. Something I honestly still can’t believe entirely. 

The greatest beauty and biggest heartbreaks of life in theatre are the friends you make along the way. I have incredible friends around the country from various theatre contracts. Something about creating art together forges lifelong friendships unlike anything else. Unfortunately, the nature of theatre also necessitates constant goodbyes.

Curious about what it's like to be part of an English-language theater group in Japan? In this blog, I’ll share my experience with MODEL PRODUCTION (MP), a student-led theater organization founded on the concept of “English through Drama.” MP is unique in Japan, where students communicate entirely in English while producing a full-scale musical. I participated as part of the costume and makeup team, learning how to navigate language barriers and production challenges along the way. I’ll also give you a preview of MP25’s theme, “Just Be You,” set to debut in May. If you're a student in Tokyo with a passion for theater, MP is an incredible community to be part of!

Over fall break, I had the opportunity to visit NYC with my parents and twin sister in order to celebrate our birthday coming up on October 30 (and it's Wicked Day!). Here were my favorite moments from the weekend!

This semester I am a part-time student as well as working a part-time job. I went into the semester thinking that meant I would not have as busy of a schedule. But taking opportunities has taken my schedule another direction.

I really tried to focus on the fact that these were the last ones I was going to do here at this place. I wanted to enjoy it. I wanted to enjoy every opportunity I had and everything I did.

Life is full of crazy adventures, and one random Thursday night proved this to be true. On October 10, we had a beautiful display of the northern lights across America. I was lucky enough to be able to view them right on UConn’s campus, and it was truly a sight to behold. Here’s a recap of my incredible evening viewing the lights.