Jerry Berger, 2017

Name: Jerry Berger

Year: Freshman

Major: Theater and Dance, Acting focus

Welcome to the 40 Acres

Her Campus Texas: Why did you decide to come to UT?

Jerry Berger: I chose UT’s theater department because I wanted to grow and develop as an actor. I wanted to discover things about my talent that I didn’t know before. As an actor, you can go straight to New York City and start auditioning, but I really wanted to experience campus life. I think being a college student is an experience everyone needs to have before becoming an adult!

HCTX: What excites you about the next four years at UT?

JB: I can’t wait to see how far I have come as a person and an actor. I am a very nostalgic person, so I want to walk across that stage senior year and look back at all of the work I’ve done, and be proud of it.

HCTX: And what scares you?

JB: I’ve got the daily time management down, but I’m stressed about long-term time management. Being a theater major, I’m learning to balance my general ed classes with all of the outside-of-class theater work, rehearsals, etc. 

I also don’t want to look back as a senior and regret anything. I don’t want to feel like I didn’t do anything. I never regret things I do, I just regret things I didn’t do. I want to take advantage of all opportunities presented to me.

All The World’s A Stage

HCTX: How did you get into theater? Who has been your biggest influence?

JB: I began by taking a theater class in seventh grade and continued on at North Crowley High School. I was the only freshman in our UIL show, and I just loved it so I wanted to keep going. Especially because of Sarah Tomasi, my high school theater teacher, and my biggest influence. She was such an inspiration to pursue college theater because she was so talented and willing to share her ability with those around her. She was pretty young, around 25 years old, and so she not only became a mentor but a friend as well. She will do incredible things as a teacher, and acting if she decides to pursue it. 

HCTX: What is your favorite role that you have played? 

JB: I loved being “Nunzio Cristano” in Over the River and Through the Woods. Nunzio was the grandpa in a New Jersey Italian family. I loved playing it because there were super comedic moments within an overall drama. I also love playing parts that my friends won’t recognize me in, those parts that are very different from me.

HCTX: What is your dream role to play?

JB: The character “Man in Chair” from The Drowsy Chaperone.

Fun Facts

HCTX: Who is your celeb crush?

JB: Jared Paledcki from Supernatural! (and I guess Mila Kunis, too.)

HCTX: What is your idea of a perfect date?

JB: The ultimate dream date would take place atop a sky scrapper on the Fourth of July. We would watch the Macy’s fireworks over the Hudson River with a glass of wine, a nice hammock, and a nice breeze. Just me and him. But for normal dates I love simplicity.

HCTX: What are the top 5 most played songs on your iPod?

JB:“Premadonna” by Marina and the Diamonds

“Royals” by Lourde

“Roar” by Katy Perry

“Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus

“Love More” by Chris Brown ft. Nicki Minaj

HCTX: Anything else you want people to know?

JB: My only goal in life is to be happy and content. I’m simple!

“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.” – James Dean

• 2017
• actors
• freshman
• theater