Student Blog: Back to School as a Theatre BA Student

I blinked, and I’m four weeks into my second semester of freshman year at Wake Forest University. So far, I’ve already been assistant stage manager of a professional workshop, started a new job, and now I’m nearing my first big assessments.

Last semester, I focused on getting acclimated to a new town and new school. I met people in (and out of) the theatre department and concentrated on learning all I could. Instead of performing on stage during the first semester, I was a dramaturg for Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom, an assistant stage manager for the Fall Dance Concert, and sang in choir and individual voice lessons. I also went to lots of volunteer work calls where I learned how to hang/focus lights, paint sets, and more! Most of my classes were divisionals, required for my liberal arts degree. At Wake Forest, there are nine categories of classes you have to take to fulfill the divisional requirements. I enjoyed learning in other disciplines, but I was definitely excited to start taking classes for my majors this semester.

I’m a double major in Theatre and Politics & International Affairs. This semester, I’m taking two theatre classes (Introduction to Design & Production and Acting I), as well as two politics classes (International Politics and Political Theory). Additionally, I’m in Chamber Choir, individual voice lessons (Classical), and Theatrical Singing. Chamber Choir rehearses four days a week, for an hour. We perform at various venues around Winston-Salem throughout the semester, and we are going on a choir tour in May. My individual voice lessons are one hour each week and include a required performance class. This is essentially a masterclass I must sing in five times each semester. It’s a great opportunity to learn from my talented peers and get feedback on my pieces. Theatrical Singing is a five-person masterclass that meets for an hour each week. We work on a variety of solo pieces throughout the first half of the semester and focus on one duet or trio and one solo during the second half of the semester, culminating in a final performance.

In addition to all of my classes, I’ve already worked on a workshop of Azad (a show written by a Wake Forest alum), which is currently traveling to various universities around the country. I grew so much during that experience, and I plan on writing an article detailing what I learned, so look forward to that!

I also started a job this semester in Wake Forest’s Scene Shop! I’ve really enjoyed this job because I get to spend more time in the theatre building and apply what I’m learning in Design & Production. It also serves as a nice study break in the middle of busy days. The low hour requirement and flexible schedule also make it easy to customize my schedule each week around rehearsals and classes.  

This week, I start rehearsals for my first mainstage show at Wake, Urinetown. I saw this show two years ago when my best friend performed in her high school’s production as Hope (shoutout to another BW blogger - Ruby!!), and I’ve wanted to be in it since! I’m also working as the assistant production manager on the sketch comedy show that Wake Forest’s theatre club (Anthony Aston Players) puts on each year.

Even though so much has already happened this semester, I have lots to look forward to in the coming months. I’m so excited to take everyone along on my journey getting a BA in theatre!