Give a little general information about yourself: how did you become interested in the arts?
I’ve always been enthralled by theatre and acting from a young age. Being able to influence emotions and provide catharsis to viewers was a type of magic to me, and the older I got, the more I wanted to surround myself in that magic. Coming from a small town with minimal resources and funding for the arts, my passion for theatre grew into a passion for making theatre more available, especially for younger people who may not have had access to the arts like I did.
What kind of career do you hope to have?
I hope to work in the arts administration field, primarily working in a theatre/performance art environment. I hope to one day become the artistic director of a major theatre company.
What is your favorite thing about the Department of Theatre?
My favorite thing about the College of Arts + Architecture, and especially the Department of Theatre, would be the staff and professors within the college and department. Not only do these professionals care about their artistic craft, they genuinely care for us students and our personal, artistic, and professional development. If not for the faculty and staff at UNC Charlotte, particularly professor Kaja Dunn, I wouldn’t have found my calling as a future arts administrator or the confidence to pursue it.
Do you participate in any community activities or work in the Charlotte arts community?
Last summer, I was a part of the Charlotte Community Scholars program working with dance professor Tamara Williams in a way to bridge performance art with the community. Additionally, as a brother of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., I’ve created and hosted programs that focus on art on campus for the UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte community, my favorite program being named “Theatre Therapy.”
What have you gained from the Arts + Architecture Honors Program?
One thing that I gained from being in the Arts + Architecture Honors Program is confidence in my professionalism. Learning professional development is a valuable tool, but being able to put those tools to work in this program has allowed me to feel more comfortable and “ready” to try and learn new things as well as network easily.
(Alex is a Martin Scholar. The Martin Scholars Program is one of UNC Charlotte's leading merit scholarship programs, established in 2016 through the generosity of UNC Charlotte alumni Demond T. (’97) and Twakia "Kia" (’98) Martin. It is housed in the University's Honors College.)
Being a Martin Scholar has overall been the ultimate catalyst towards my academic development. By being a scholar I’ve been able to experience new places, make lasting connections, and explore opportunities that have helped shape my life and professional goals. My Martin Scholar family, including my fellow scholars, faculty fellows, and gracious donors the Martins, remain a constant beam of support and inspiration, and I feel blessed to be a part of this family.
When you are not in class, studying, working, or rehearsing, what do you like to do for fun?
Listening to music while reading is something that I’ll never get tired of doing. Taking catnaps with my cat Venus or spending time with my fraternity brothers are also things I enjoy.