Here at FSU, there are so many opportunities for students to fulfill their passions and pursue their dreams. We have one of the top 10 theatre schools in the country, and I have the privilege of being one of its many students. Studying theatre in college can be very rewarding but also very challenging. It takes a lot of time, effort, dedication, and balance. You can ask any of the School of Theatre students and they’d most likely tell you the same thing.
Recently, the School of Theatre put up its first main stage play of the fall season titled Imogen Says Nothing. I had the privilege of interviewing one of the understudies, Nick Harris, and getting a little glimpse into what his life is like as a BFA Acting major here at FSU. Nick and I are in an improv class together, so it was so fun to ask these questions and see what his answers consisted of. Here we go!
Her Campus (HC): What are some pre-show rituals you might have?
Nick Harris (NH): I do a vocal warmup to relax my body and get myself into character.
HC: Knowing how busy you are, I’m just curious: when do you have time to complete your homework?
NH: I do homework between the hours of 11 and 12 a.m. because my hours are so packed when I’m in the rehearsal process.
HC: In my opinion, treating yourself for all of the hard work you do during the day is always a good idea. Personally, it keeps me going. What are your favorite ways to treat yourself after a long hectic day?
NH: My favorite way to treat myself is by relaxing via watching TV or movies and playing video games on my console. I like to not think about anything that makes my day stressful, so I find pleasure in other things like those.
HC: For a lot of students here, burnout is such a real thing, especially during this time of year. How do you stay motivated to get all your work done and still find balance in your personal life?
NH: I stay motivated by just understanding that I have a passion for what I do and in the long run, it will pay off.
HC: What does an evening look like for you when in the process of putting on a show?
NH: An evening looks like eating a meal, going to rehearsal, and then going to sleep.
HC: Lastly, I want to know, are you happy with the path you chose to become a BFA Acting major?
NH: I wouldn’t trade this program for the world. I’ve seen the highs and lows of the BFA Acting program. Both have taught me so much and have let me grow tenfold as an actor.
Though these questions can seem a bit surface-level, they do offer a lot of insight into how an actor’s life really is. It seems glamorous but behind the scenes, there is so much hard work and focus that goes into being balanced and remaining healthy. It was so interesting to learn more about my peer on a personal level and to also shed some light on what happens behind the scenes.
For anyone eager to see some of the amazing performers we have here at FSU, please don’t hesitate to come see Imogen Says Nothing running until Nov. 5, and stop in to see the children’s show Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus running Nov. 16 through 19! If you can’t make it to any of those, keep an eye out for the spring season announcement. Going to see these shows is a great way to get involved, support the school, and take advantage of all it has to offer.
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