Theresa Rudesil started college thinking she knew what she wanted СAPP to major in biology СAPP but quickly discovered СAPPI had no idea what I actually wanted.СAPP
After discovering that biology wasnСAPPt the path for her, she re-assessed her plans and looked to her passion: theatre.
СAPPTheatre had been a passion of mine for a long time, and it got me through a difficult time in high school,СAPP she said. СAPPWhen I was struggling to figure out what I really wanted in life, I thought, well, I really loved being in theatre, so why not spend the rest of my life doing what I love?СAPP
Career Opportunities in Theatre
Theresa hesitated to change her major because of financial concerns. She came to UL Lafayette because it was an affordable choice for a high-quality education, and she needed to trust that she could find work after she graduated.
СAPPI actually talked to my advisor, and I was like, I really want to do this,СAPP but I didnСAPPt go straight for it because I was nervous I would never make any money,СAPP she said.
СAPPBut Fortune 500 companies hire theatre majors because of their ability to think creatively and come up with creative solutions to problems. No matter what you end up doing, being a theatre major gives you a leg up because it teaches you how to think creatively.СAPP
Theresa is pursuing a concentration in acting but is open to opportunities in all realms of theatre, from costumes to lighting to scenic design.
СAPPYou see the actors on stage, but where did the set come from? Where did the props come from? What about what theyСAPPre wearing?СAPP she said. СAPPAnd then thereСAPPs the director and the stage manager СAPP there are so many different jobs, and youСAPPre going to find something you love whether itСAPPs on the technical side, the business side, or the acting side. There are so many avenues to go down.СAPP
Immersed in Theatre on Campus
In the performing arts program, Theresa found a community of students and faculty who challenge and support her.
СAPPWhenever I switched to theatre, I found a community of people that supported me and wanted the best for me,СAPP she said. СAPPThe professors are all super supportive, and the students have become not just my friends but also my family."
"We have become a family in the performing arts department.СAPP
Part of the family atmosphere comes from working together on multiple shows a year. TheresaСAPPs taken on responsibilities as a stage manager, stagehand, set builder, and dramaturge (a person who advises on the context of a script). In her classes, sheСAPPs exploring acting, directing, and writing original pieces.
In TheresaСAPPs THEA 392: Devised Solo Performance class, she directed, designed, acted, and stage-managed an original performance based on real-life trauma. Her sister, a police officer, was shot on duty but recovered.
TheresaСAPPs piece explored how life would have changed if her sister hadnСAPPt survived.
СAPPI struggled a bit at the beginning, but IСAPPm the proudest of it,СAPP she said. СAPPIt was a piece on the significance of understanding how to use our moral compass to guide our decisions СAPP and how everything is different for every person.СAPP
After graduation, Theresa wants to do СAPPa little bit of everything.СAPP She wants to work in film and television on projects like СAPPMadame Secretary,СAPP СAPPThis Is Us,СAPP or the Marvel franchise.
СAPPThat would be a dream come true,СAPP she said. СAPPI want to work on projects that go against stereotypes and play to humanity, so, in a way, weСAPPre teaching things rather than just entertaining."
