College of Liberal Arts
Zorissa James didn't set out to study theatre. She arrived at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ to pursue biology, but a few volunteer hours in the costume shop introduced her to a creative community that would shape the rest of her college experience. From backstage to the light board and stage management, she discovered that theatre is about building connections that last long after the curtain falls. Read on to learn more about Zorissa's ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ journey.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Zorissa James. I'm studying biology with a minor in theater, and over the course of my time at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, I've made more than 10,000 paper cranes. I make them during class whenever I need something to do with my hands if I'm not taking notes.
What brought you to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, and what made you decide it was the right place for you?
I decided to come to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ for a variety of reasons. The small class sizes, low student-to-teacher ratio and opportunities for undergraduate research really stood out to me. I also loved all of the different activities, communities and opportunities to get involved.
I also liked the financial aid offer they gave me.
ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ stood out because it's located in ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, which felt unique compared to schools in the Lower 48. At first, I just thought it would be cool to say I'd gone to school in ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. I didn't know I was going to fall in love with the state or want to stay here after graduation.
After spending the past four years here, I really have fallen in love with ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. I think it's a great place. In my experience, people here really come together to help each other and are friendly and outgoing. I'm planning to stay in ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ after I graduate.
In your own words, why study the liberal arts?
I'm a biological sciences major, but I chose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in biology instead of a Bachelor of Science because I wanted a well-rounded education that included the liberal arts. Part of earning a Bachelor of Arts in biology is completing a minor. I didn't declare mine until my junior year because I was waiting to find something that really clicked with me.
During my freshman and sophomore years, I started getting involved in the theater community. At first, I was just volunteering my time and skills, but as I got to know everyone, I realized it was a really fun place to be. I started taking classes, and that's when I declared my theater minor.
The reason I'm talking about this is because I think we should all study the liberal arts. They help make us well-rounded people by giving us the opportunity to meet people who aren't studying the same things we are.
One of the best parts of a liberal arts education is taking classes outside your primary focus. You get to meet people learning things you may not have considered before, and you learn how to talk with people whose interests are different from your own. I think that's incredibly important. There are so many fields within the liberal arts, and every class—whether it's part of your major, your minor, a general education requirement or an elective—helps build your education and broaden your perspective.
What has your experience in the Department of Theatre and Film been like, and what makes it special?
I first got involved with the Department of Theatre and Film my freshman year when I started volunteering in the costume shop. After a couple of months, I was offered a job helping construct costumes for the main stage productions. I also helped organize the costume shop and take care of day-to-day tasks.
That introduced me to the main stage productions, where I sometimes helped on the running crew. Through that work, I got to know the faculty, staff and students, and I realized how big of a community we have here at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. It's not really marketed as a theater school, but we have a great theater program.
I started by working behind the scenes on costume crew, helping with quick changes and taking actors' measurements. Then, during my junior year, one of the light board operators had to run backstage for bows, so I stepped in to run the light board for the end of the show. That's when I realized, This is cool. This is something I want to do. So I asked the faculty if I could do it more, and they said, "Yes, of course."
I think that experience really highlights how you can do as much or as little as you want in the Department of Theatre and Film. You don't even have to be a major or a minor. I think more than half of the people in the scene shop are engineering majors, which shows how welcoming the department is to people from all kinds of backgrounds.
I decided to declare a theater minor during my junior year because I was surrounded by this community so much, and everyone was so welcoming. As I took classes, I realized this was something I wanted to keep doing after graduation. Even if theater isn't my career, I know that wherever I end up, I'll find the community theater and build a community there. That's one of the most valuable things theater gives you.
How has your time at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ changed you, either academically, personally, or professionally?
My time at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ has changed me as a person. Not only have I grown over the past four years, but finding a community and a place where I can be myself has really grown my confidence.
I've learned to ask for things that will help me both personally and professionally. I've become better at advocating for myself and asking for opportunities that I think will benefit me in the future.
I've also learned how to say no to people and to set better boundaries with myself and others. I'm able to appreciate my own time and the effort I put into things instead of always taking on more when I already have too much on my plate.
Was there a professor, mentor, or community that made a big impact on your journey? How?
Professor Kade Mendelowitz, in the Department of Theatre and Film, teaches basic stagecraft, editing, lighting design and production design. He's also the technical director and scenic designer for many of the department's main stage productions.
I first met him while working on the running crew for the main stage productions. When I wanted to become more involved in theater, he became a mentor and helped me realize my full potential as both a technician and a stage manager.
He gave me great advice throughout my time as a stage manager and in every class I took with him. He's patient, very descriptive and a great teacher. I've loved every class I've taken with him.
What’s one experience at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ that really stands out to you, and why?
One experience that really stood out to me happened one night when I was walking home to my apartment after rehearsal. It was around 10 p.m., so it was very dark. I was walking through a darker part of the street when I looked up and saw the northern lights.
It was this magical experience. I hadn't seen them yet, even though I'd already been at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ for three years. I usually go to bed early, but getting involved in the theater community meant staying out later because rehearsals went until 10 p.m.
I was tired, I was done with the day and I was heading home. Then I looked up, and the lights were everywhere. They were dancing. It was magical. I remember thinking, This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. That's when I understood why everyone talks about the northern lights the way they do.
Congratulations again to Zorissa 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.
