Help Alexa Go to London feat. West End + Shakespeare's Globe

Alexa Powell Start Date: May 12, 2022 - End Date: Sep 11, 2022
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • London, England, United Kingdom

My Travel Story

by: Alexa Powell Start Date: May 12, 2022 - End Date: Sep 11, 2022
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
The program I’ve been accepted to is the “Nazareth College London Semester in collaboration with Performing Arts Abroad and the University of Roehampton”. The program has students living on-campus and studying within the University of Roehampton, alongside London West End professionals, and at Shakespeare’s Globe. The London West End is like the second “Broadway” of the world and therefore a hugely influential part of the theatre world. This training is the arts equivalent of clinical placements, an essential part of the academic journey, though rarely is it ever available in theatre education - especially for credit!

The program’s curriculum includes the viewing of many different theatrical productions and excursions to London cultural landmarks such as museums and Stratford-upon-Avon. I’m taking “Introduction to the London Stage”, the “Performing Shakespeare” experience at the Globe, and “Musical Theatre Dance & Performance” with West End professionals. What draws me most to this Roehampton program is the emphasis on the importance of being a well-rounded theatre artist - something I’m always striving towards. I also love Roehampton’s approach of the well-rounded experience being integrated into the path of study, encouraging students to try it all and take the lead on their own projects. 

It’s a life-long journey to understand your purpose in life, but I’ve begun to understand the direction I’m heading in. Of all creative arts fields, theatre feels the most inclusive to all art forms - from performance to painting scenic design to writing original work. Therefore it also feels the most inclusive for people from all walks of life. The combination of inclusive creativity and inclusive community has fostered within me a love for theatre. 

Nazareth College encourages the exploration of an “enduring question” during your college years and continuing throughout your life. I’ve identified mine as “how can we better utilize compassion in the arts?” I believe that theatre should be a place of unconditional love and support as we all explore what it means to be human. In order to nurture such an environment, we must feel compassion for the intersectional diversity brought into every room. I’ve applied this academically by taking courses focused on breaking down biases and increasing attention to underrepresented and marginalized groups. As I begin to nurture my professional career, I’ve brought this into the room as I directed my first musical (Starkid's Firebringer) with daily health check-ins and mindful reception to all kinds of feedback. Studying abroad can only increase the pool of people, experiences, and cultures that can teach me to better expand my compassion towards humanity. When I return to the USA, I’ll come back with a more global scale of how theatre brings people together and what I can contribute as an artist to this journey.


Also, the structure is much more flexible than typical US 4-year degrees. The unique structure includes 90 logged hours spent on theatre - it’s up to me whether that’s time seeing a show, in a practice room, or rehearsing for a show. We have the amazing opportunity to get involved with student productions as part of those hours, something I definitely plan to take advantage of. This could be a huge career-builder because theatre is all about connections! It’s not unusual to hear about people reconnecting from their college years to work on a project. Not only do alumni continue to collaborate, but faculty and various professionals are also invaluable bridges often built in college. Lynn Ahrens (Suessical) and Andrew Lloyd Weber (The Phantom of the Opera) both jump-started their own careers through college experiences and colleagues. With more recent adoption of digital connections like Zoom, it's feasible to continue work with connections made abroad upon returning to the USA.

As we ease out of the pandemic, I’m finally ready to get on my first flight ever to explore the world outside of the US. The change in academic courses, scenery, and culture will be the perfect thing to reinvigorate me as I begin my personal, academic, and career journey beyond Nazareth College to take my place in the world with compassion!



 


  • London, England, United Kingdom

Updates

1

  • Phi Kappa Phi Grant!

    Phi Kappa Phi Grant!
    I'm pleased to share that I was awarded a $1,000 study abroad grant from the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society based on my academic record and life/career ambitions as outlined in my essay application!

Adventure Registry

  • Gilman Scholarship

    $ 4,000
    Gilman
    • Granted