Many students come to college to audition for a BFA in Musical Theater or Acting. Others come and go into Production or Design/Technical Theater. While they are all great areas to go into, only sometimes students will stay in that major until graduation. The Theatrical Studies major is not specialized, but gives students an opportunity to learn a wide arrange of skills within the theater. My friend and Theatrical Studies major, Ashley Flowers, talked to me about life as a “TSO” at Ball State University.
As a Theatrical Studies Major, what do you do within the department at Ball State?
Well I enjoy doing everything, so as a TSO I have been able to immerse myself in various aspects of the theater. I work in the Scene Shop, where I perform a multitude of tasks varying form building to painting. In addition to this, I am the department’s Prop Organizer. With this I keep track of ALL of the props and keep the prop rooms organized, which can gets crazy with all the shows we do. I have also dabbled in acting classes, dance classes, dramaturgy and playwriting (which is becoming one of my favorite hobbies). My playwriting class actually inspired me to pursue writing more and at the moment I am in the process of writing a play that will eventually turn into a musical. Also, I do a lot of student films, which is great because I can act and experience the difference from film to theater. As you can see, as a TSO I am able to try about anything within the theater and I love it.
Do you think it is important to be skilled in more than one area of theater? Why?
YES! I think it is extremely important for anyone involved in the theater to understand the different aspects of the theater, not only to gain the general knowledge of how a production is created, but also to gain an appreciation for everyone involved in the theater. If no one understood or appreciated one another’s job, then it would be come a huge mess that no one would enjoy.
Why did you decide to go into acting?
Ever since I could remember, I have been performing on stage. My mom actually put me in the theater because I was so hyper and she thought it would calm me down; she didn’t know the can of worms she was opening. She told me that when I was younger (and an only child keep in mind) I would give myself different names and personalities (I know I was THAT kid and it’s fine, I’m judging too), which she went along with and realized that I belonged onstage. I got the theater bug big time because there was nothing like escaping my own life to be a part of another world. Acting allowed me to reinvent myself with each character. I could creatively express myself and be anyone I wanted.
What are some of the benefits of not being a BFA major in Acting or Musical Theater? Does not being a BFA have any disadvantages?
There are always advantages and disadvantages to each option and it depends on who you are and how you look at it. I was very devastated when I did not make it into the BFA program at first, but now I realize that I wasn’t suppose to be a BFA Musical Theater or Acting Major. For me, Theatrical Studies is the best option because I enjoy learning about everything and trying new things. As a TSO, I can take a wide variety of classes. With that I can learn more about the production and design aspect of creating a production. For me this is great because I know I will most likely always have a job within the theater because I am now well rounded in the theater compared to other students. The biggest disadvantage of not being a BFA is not being able to have the extensive training in performing. However, I keep myself very busy by acting in student films and I am also a dance minor. I figure that if I can’t get the training, then I’ll do it on my own. Therefore I act in several student films, take dance classes, take as many acting classes, and teach myself guitar and piano (which is an interesting process, but possible).
How did you get involved with props and working in the scene shop?
Sophomore year I wanted to get a job so I applied for a general job within our department. On the application it says to list your skills. Well I am very organized and I enjoy being organized so I wrote that down. Next thing I know John Sadler (My boss and Scene Shop Supervisor) meets with me and asks if I could organize the prop rooms. I thought, “great I have a job!” Then he took me down to one of the prop rooms and well, let’s just say I couldn’t see the floor. I put on my music and got to work. After I organized the rooms they kept me as their organizer. Then I got to a point where the rooms were all in order so John put me to work in the scene shop building. I did some carpentry before Ball State, but not to the extent that they were wanting. I was willing to learn and now I think I’m an okay carpenter and painter. I never would have thought Freshman year that I would be working on these amazing sets, it just proves that you never know what life is going to give you.
You have been accepted to an opera house in Utah as a props assistant this summer. What do you think is important to remember when applying for an internship?
Keep an open mind and apply to everything! All you can do is apply and be honest when interviewing. A lot of places aren’t looking for a highly skilled intern. The majority of places want someone friendly, honest, hardworking, eager to learn and open-minded. Applying to internships seem a lot more stressful than what it is, just be yourself and everything will work out.
What are your plans when you graduate from college? What are you going to take from college that will help you in the real world?
I have two plans at the moment: move to NYC or get my master’s in Acting (both would be great). My plan is to start auditioning for everything I can find and applying to various jobs within the prop world. I want to live in New York, I went to there during spring break and fell in love. There has never been a place where I felt I belonged, then I found New York. My main goal in life is to create art that I believe in and that inspires others. I don’t care if I ever become famous, all I want is to create pieces of art that moves and inspires audiences and fellow artists. Once I have done that, then I know I did my job.
College has been a roller coaster, but most importantly it has taught me to be more open, to be proud of my art, to be myself, and it has given me so much knowledge about the business of show business. I also learned a lot about myself while I was here, most importantly that I do not need to make people like me, all I have to do is be myself and the right people and work will come. I know that this is the right path for me.
What advice would you give for students coming into college to major in theater?
Life is about to go crazy and take so many shifts and turns, but if you stay open minded you will end up where you are suppose to. College will suck at times and you will doubt yourself, when that happens remind yourself of your dreams. If you stay focused and determined, your dreams will become your reality and every late night studying will pay off. Also, keep in mind theater is hard and highly competitive, so you can’t compare yourself to others. Once you start comparing yourself and trying to be someone else, your art suffers. No one will ever be like you, so why try to be like them?
