NSU’s Theatre program in the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts is focused on preparing students for real-world industry work. The program collaborates with professional theater companies, working professionals and guest artists, with students producing all parts of a show, both onstage and backstage.
Alex Alvarez, associate professor in DCMA, said what makes the NSU Theatre program unique is the people.
“It allows for all kinds of people who are curious about having careers in theater, people who want a release or some relief from their STEM classes and people who just want to kind of try a little something,” Alvarez said. “We invite everyone to audition for all of the shows that we do. We don’t exclude, and it’s not just theater people.”
In winter 2025, Alvarez invited Nicole Stodard, adjunct professor in DCMA and producing artistic director of Thinking Cap Theatre, to direct “Cymbeline,” so students could experience working with other producing directors.
Also, NSU Theatre has been able to partner with City Theatre Miami to help students engage with real professionals, so they know what to expect and enhance their skills.
“I think that’s a big deal, and it’s not been done at NSU before, and, perhaps, it feels like it may have flown under the radar a little bit when it’s such a monumental thing that we did,” Alvarez said. “We have brought in professionals to music direct here, we have invited intimacy directors and power dynamics workshops, which are done in the professional world now.”
Sebastian Baena, sophomore theatre major, said the NSU Theatre collaboration of “From Page to Stage: A Program of Short Plays and Musicals” with City Theatre Miami was a huge break into what it looks like to be in the professional world. He also said he feels prepared for the outside world because of what he has learned.
“Alex Alvarez is probably one of the best acting professors at the school. He has done wonders for not just the students here at NSU, but he’s done wonders, really big things for me,” Baena said. “He made me realize things that I previously didn’t see, techniques and tools that I must use if I want to succeed professionally in the future.”
Baena has been in multiple productions at NSU, such as “Now. Here. This.,” “From Page to Stage: A Program of Short Plays and Musicals” in collaboration with City Theatre Miami, as well as student-run productions from Stage 2, such as “Spellbound” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
He said these experiences are helping him to become a well-rounded actor.
“I want to keep doing all of those other things, theater, musical theater, film, TV, commercials, all that stuff,” Baena said. “I want to be a part of all that because I feel like that rounds yourself as an actor. I feel like if I abandoned one of them, it just wouldn’t feel right to me.”
Baena has also been able to do projects outside of NSU.
“I have filmed four commercials and two feature films. I have been extremely grateful to have the opportunity to partake in theater outside of NSU. Last semester, I was in the world premiere production of ‘One Summer in Brooklyn’ that took place with Not Your Average Theater Group, and now I’m currently in a show with them called ‘Serial Dating,’” Baena said.
Chelsea Larose, sophomore double major in theatre and law, has gotten more involved with theatre at NSU last year.
“For the 2024-2025 season, I’ve been in every show, from doing crew for ‘Page to Stage,’ ‘Improv Jam’ and ‘Spelling Bee,’ to acting in ‘Mayfly’ and ‘Cymbeline,’” Larose said. “I also work in the scene shop, which allowed me to assist in set construction for all the shows, and even the set for the Broward Center pilot show.”
Larose’s experience at NSU helped her get a job last summer as teaching artist assistant for the Miramar Cultural Center.
“I will be helping them prepare programming for different visual and performing arts. I have also been attending different theaters and shows to discover more of the South Florida arts scene. I recently discovered one show that I intend to audition for this fall, but I also must be able to focus on my prior engagements,” Larose said.
Alvarez thinks it is important for students to explore but also to find a balance between learning and opportunities in the industry.
“It’s beneficial while you’re in school to focus on learning and growing, and if you also want to do stuff outside, I think it’s important and I think it’s great. Just make sure that class and learning is equally as important as the gig,” Alvarez said. “It’s really rewarding to see the students create relationships with each other through this art and grow as artists and become more confident, more resilient.”
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