This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emerson chapter.
Name: Daniel Begin
Hometown: Medford, MA
Major: Theatre Studies: Acting and Directing
What organizations are you involved in on campus? I am involved with Kidding Around, Zeta Phi Eta, Achoired Taste, and Orientation.
What’s your role in Kidding Around? I am currently Vice President and I am looking to continue working on the Board next year! I have also acted, directed, and produced for them before.
Why did you want to create Achoired Taste? Alicia Carroll, Marina Altschiller, and I all wanted to be a part of an a capella group. We met at a callback for one of the other groups and we just instantly connected! We wanted something that we could make on our own and it was the right time to do it. It was really a blast figuring out what our sound was going to be. Our first semester we had about 25 people audition. Last semester we had about 85! And we are only 3 years old. I think that is pretty cool. Since then, we have grown and now have quite a large group. We left our mark on the Emerson Community!
What’s it like being on Core Staff? Core Staff is a blast. We have a lot of responsibility because we are planning the first impression of Emerson for the new students next year. All eight of us have grown together over the past couple of months. we really love what we do and cannot wait to meet all of the new students next year! The decisions we make affect many people, so working on Core Staff can be stressful at times, but I know it is going to be a rewarding experience in the end.
What’s your favorite thing about theater? I love making people think. The audience that is. When a person comes to a show that I direct, I want them to leave impacted in some way. I specifically love Theatre for Young Audiences. TYA is, in my opinion, theatre for all ages. Making theatre that challenges everyone to think is what I hope to do.
Who is your favorite actor? Kristen Chenoweth. She is life.
Who inspires you professionally and in life? I am really inspired by what my fellow Emersonians are doing. I wouldn’t say I have one person that inspires me because everyone at Emerson does it on a daily basis. What Emerson Students accomplish simply astounds me.
What’s your greatest accomplishment at Emerson? The Velveteen Rabbit with Kidding Around. This was the first full show I directed. I was proud of the work I did, and honored to work with the team. Some of them have become my best friends. This was the first time I felt like I accomplished something big at Emerson College.
Best college memory? Stepping out of my car at Orientation and having everyone cheer. I have never been happier to be somewhere before. Either that or when I met Camra Godwin. Finding out we had the same exact schedule both semesters freshman year was the best moment because I knew then that we were going to be friends. Also, who doesn’t want to be friends with someone named Camra?
Where do you see yourself after graduation? Honestly, I don’t know! My goal is to be an Artistic Director of a Regional Theatre Company some day but that is a long ways off. I don’t think I will stay in Boston either. I need to experience other areas!
Favorite thing to do in Boston? Walking down Newbury Street and acting like I belong.
Three words to describe yourself? Bringing Booty Back
What’s your #1 piece of advice to incoming Emerson students? Be yourself unconditionally and take chances. People will like you for you! Say hi on Campus!