College of Liberal Arts
To Seamus Knight, art is a conversation. Whether composing music, designing lights, directing productions or editing film, each experience became another way to understand the creative process. Read on to learn more about Seamus' ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ journey.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Seamus Knight. I'm a fourth-year ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in film and performing arts with a concentration in film and a Bachelor of Arts in music with a concentration in music theory.
One interesting thing about me is that I've never broken a bone.
Isn't that what actors do? They go and break a leg?
Yeah, oh yeah. Well, one theory about the term 'break a leg' is that the curtain on the side of the stage is called a leg. If you were a lower-paid chorus line member, you'd be on the edges of the stage, so 'good luck' would be 'break a leg.
There are a few theories. But anyway...
What has your experience in the Department of Theatre and Film been like, and what makes it special?
Studying art is so special because it's studying dialogue. I especially compare music, film and theater because they are time-based mediums of expression, and they change with every second. They model the dialogical process in a controlled environment, and I think that's very interesting.
I also think ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ has a unique position in time and space because of how much the daylight changes throughout the year. Time flows differently here, and there's so much more dialogue to be had with time and with artistic representations of time.
How has your time at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ changed you, either academically, personally, or professionally?
I think every day in college is a little challenging because you have to balance so much. But my friends who are also ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ students, and everyone who's going through the same thing, reminded me that we're all sort of chasing this impossible dream of getting a degree. As your friends graduate and you get closer to that yourself, it all starts to feel achievable.
The most challenging time for me was my sophomore year, which I think a lot of people would say, because that's when the responsibility really starts to kick in and you don't have a lot of those skills yet.
The answer to that challenge is to take care of yourself first and your academics second. Things tend to work out if you keep those things in balance.
Was there a professor, mentor, or community that made a big impact on your journey? How?
Wow, who do I thank? It's hard to thank any one member of the faculty because they've all been so impactful. The faculty here really believe in what they're doing and are doing what they feel they're called to do. Everyone is here because they love it, not because it's what they're getting paid the most to do.
There are so many people to thank. I never had a real cello teacher before Dr. Daniel Strawser, so I have to thank him. Everything I know about lighting design came from Professor Kade Mendelowitz and Scene Shop Director Alex Gagne-Hawes. They've both been mentors to me.
My employer in the music department, Scott Hansen, has opened a lot of doors for me in the community. My employer in the film department, Maya Salganek, who is the chair of the department and founder of the film program at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, has also been a mentor to me in so many ways. I wouldn't be where I am today without her.
What are you excited about next, and how has ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ prepared you for it?
I'm excited to work in my field. ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ has given me a lot of hands-on experience. The classes have been integral for learning things like terminology, but they've also helped me learn how to step into the professional world.
ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ has given me experience on film sets, touring music productions, student music productions, in theater and in film, and in a variety of different roles, including lighting design, sound design, acting and directing. Every production has student designers and student leaders, so if you're the kind of learner I am, it makes a huge difference.
I struggle with hypotheticals. If you're a very tactile learner, ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ is a great school for that. I'm glad ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ has prepared me to step into my career field.
What advice would you give to future ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ students?
My advice to future ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ students is: Don't fear anything. Jump right into everything, and be honest when you have questions, because if you're not honest, you're only burying yourself.
All you have to do is ask for help. There are so many students and faculty who want to help you, and it's through that sense of community that you build a strong foundation for any type of project.
Congratulations again to Seamus on being recognized as an Outstanding Student. Learn more about the Department of Theatre & Film and the opportunities available to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ students, and watch for more Outstanding Student spotlights from the College of Liberal Arts.
