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.

Being back in school is definitely a change in pace from the stress free summer I spent working retail and binge-watching Dance Moms. Between classes, rehearsals, and work, it’s difficult to take a moment to appreciate the chaos that the responsibility of my schoolwork has given me this semester. Now that I’ve completed my foundational theater courses, my schedule is open to take any elective I want to, and I made sure to truly take advantage of my open schedule. As a senior, I am focused on gaining as much skill and insight as I possibly can from my teachers before I graduate!

The realization that we have less than a year left of class, about 8 months to be exact, has stirred the panic of adulthood and the events that go beyond university waiting for us after graduation.

Going into this semester, I knew I wanted to slow down and make more room for responsibilities outside of school, so I lightened my load. What happened as a result was, of course, more free time. What I did not expect, however, was discovering how reliant I was on my chaotic schedule and learning how to value my own time.

In my experience, crying over Shakespeare does not yield a better understanding of the work itself, but I’m only 19, what do I know…I’ve tried blaming the Shakespeare, I’ve tried blaming myself. Neither option worked! So instead I acknowledged every feeling in my body, validated how it sat it my conscious, and moved towards doing the work.

In today's blog, we discuss the importance of the arts in our world today and ways you can advocate for access to the arts to use possibly use the skills you acquire in possible career paths!

Club fairs, introductory meetings, social media promotions, all are different methods to try and get your attention. If you are like me, then you want to do it all. You may want to find your people in college or pack your resumé or gain diverse knowledge. Whatever your mindset is, I have found there are three approaches one can take in college.

The October chill has entered the air and school has officially begun, there's no turning back! Come along with me as I introduce myself and share what I've been up to this past month and half since school started again...