Where are you from and what were you doing before enrolling in graduate school?

I was born and raised in Cleveland, OH, and lived in both New York City and Los Angeles before starting this program. Prior to enrolling, I was working as a company manager at a non-profit theater company in NYC called Mabou Mines. I have a BA in acting within the International Performance Ensemble and a minor in creative writing from Pace University in NYC. 

How did you learn of the degree program and why did you choose USC Annenberg?

I knew I wanted to go back to school to study writing of some form, but it took me a few years to decide what felt right for me. I didn’t have any sort of formal journalism experience, but working in the performing arts, I felt drawn to writing about the industry. The people I found myself in conversation with always had interesting stories to tell and the fantastic underground theater I was immersed in just wasn’t getting enough attention. I had my eye on USC for years, due to the location, quality education, and amazing connections. I stumbled upon the SJAC program and immediately felt in my gut that it was exactly what I had been looking for — an opportunity to learn more about the arts by establishing journalism skills while taking arts-related classes across the university. 

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

The opportunities that I’ve been granted through USC are unmatched. I’ve seen and written about incredible performing arts across Los Angeles and have met really amazing people introduced to me by my professors. During the fall semester, I was fortunate enough to travel to Alaska for my thesis research, funded by USC. I also was given the opportunity to go to the Sundance Film Festival as part of the Annenberg press team. Not to mention, the professors are amazing — as someone who came into this program with essentially no journalism knowledge, I have learned so much and can proudly call myself an arts journalist, thanks to everything they’ve taught me.