ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
My experience at Illinois taught me something about myself that I never knew I needed to be taught: that I am worthy of taking up space. As a Theatre Studies major, I had the responsibility of creating work for myself and making the most out of my college experience. To do this, I had to learn that if I wanted to reach my goals, I needed to get over my fear of rejection and the voices that made me hesitate to pursue opportunities. Thanks to the support of my peers and faculty, I was able to graduate with three assistant directorships (Marat/Sade, Gem of the Ocean, Cabaret), three directorships (Songs for a New World, Love Life, Prospect High: Brooklyn), a workshop production of one of my original plays (Fugitives In America),
and a full movie musical film that I directed and produced (Gay Card)! Only two months after graduation, I have already booked my first professional directing project working with Chicago Dramatists on their Network Playwright 10 Minute Play Festival, and my first assistant directing project working with the Pride Arts Center in Chicago on their production of The Things I Could Never Tell Steven. I will also be starting a new parttime position at the Windy City Playhouse this September as their Associate Audience Services Manager. I thank my training at Illinois for teaching me to believe in myself. I truly believe that where I go from here with my theatre career is all thanks to my time at Illinois.”
—JORDAN RATLIFF
(Theatre Studies BFA, 2021)
STUDENT LIFE
ALLEN RESIDENCE HALL – UNIT 1
Housing 651 students, Allen Hall is a creative and engaging community featuring about 60 credit-granting visual and performing arts courses, private music lessons, a music recording studio, darkroom, ceramics lab, free music lessons, and a renowned Guest-inResidence program.
SOME OF THESE CLUBS INCLUDE
• Debono Improv
• Elysium on the Prairie (LARP)
• Eternity to Express
• Expression Theatre Troupe
• Hive Society Improv
• Illini Student Musicals
• Mithya
• New Revels Players
• Odd Request Improv
• Penny Dreadful Players
Of the 1,600 student organizations available at Illinois, more than 100 are visual and performing arts related.
• Potted Meat Sketch Comedy
• Spicy Clamato
• The Phoenix Improv Company
• The What You Will Shakespeare Company
ENGAGE NOW
DISCOVER FAA HIGH SCHOOL TALENT COMPETITION
Theatre’s competition varies annually from a Shakespeare monologue to a set design for a specific piece. Check the website for the current year’s competition. For high school seniors, the prize is $1,000 to be applied toward your freshman year of study. w go.illinois.edu/FAAcompetitions
FAA SUMMER INTENSIVE
Immerse yourself in a one-week, college-level program. The FAA Summer Intensive provides a perfect platform for high school students to learn about careers in theatre arts and get a true taste of college life. The broad curriculum allows students to choose a theatre discipline for the week (Acting or Theatre Technology & Design). Whether you want to hone an existing talent or sample new options, the FAA Summer Intensive has something for you. w go.illinois.edu/FAAsummer
