KEEPING PACE UNCSA ALUMNI ON AN EVOLVING INDUSTRY
ON A SPRING AFTERNOON in the heart of the
theater district in New York City, a group of UNCSA students, alumni, friends and supporters gathered around the stage at 54 Below, the renowned cabaret venue known as “Broadway’s Living Room.” They were there to hear from five alumni thriving in a variety of artistic careers in the city that never sleeps. An hour later, the audience had learned about the artists’ first jobs, big breaks, artistic epiphanies, responses to evolutions in the industry, and the myriad ways the UNCSA community has helped them along the way. At the forefront of the conversation was how the industry addresses challenges related to artist well-being — a topic reflected in UNCSA Forward, the institution’s five-year strategic plan. Following is an edited version of the conversation led by Chancellor Brian Cole.
From left: Brian Cole; Cenovia Cummins, Music ’84; Avery Glymph, Drama ’95; Gilana Lobel, Film ’05; Trey McIntyre, Dance ’87; Elisheba Ittoop, D&P ’07 14 14
Chancellor Cole: One of my favorite parts of this job is meeting so many incredible alumni. You are such an important part of this institution’s past and its present — and, together with our current students, its future. One thing we talk about a lot is the training that we offer at UNCSA and how it is relevant to the industry. How do you feel your industry has changed over time? And how have you had to evolve to keep pace with those changes? Elisheba Ittoop: Something I’ve noticed that’s changed is we’re having kinder, more considerate conversations. There’s more care being paid to working hours and conditions. I came into an industry that was maybe a little more brutal. It was basically “you work till you’re dead.” Do not say no to a gig. If you say no to a gig, you’re done. And with Gen Z coming up, I just don’t feel that from them. They care more about their mental health. I’m really excited about this younger generation coming up. Trey McIntyre: I agree with that quite a bit. I think there’s a massive sea change happening, especially in ballet. I remember the general feeling in the past that dancers could only fit into a prescribed role from above, and there was no room for real artistic growth in the way that there is now. And I feel like the young people have driven so much of that. Learning from young people and changing myself to be in a place of listening more and learning more in the room, it’s changed me dramatically as an artist. I’m finding there are ways to inspire and move people forward that are incredibly generative.
Photo by Raunak Kapoor
By Katherine E. Johnson
