As a young artist in high school, I had dreamed about the day I would study abroad in a country that I had never stepped foot in but still heard endless accounts of its beauty, history, and art. I wanted to immerse myself in a different culture and theater environment that I had never seen before. I began looking at colleges that would not only allow but encourage me to study abroad as part of my course work in a BFA Musical Theatre program. I didn’t want to go somewhere at random or “just because,” I wanted world class theater training with professional working individuals throughout my entire college career and overseas during my time abroad. When I found Nazareth, I instantly fell in love with its faculty and campus. Shortly after starting my journey at Naz, I uncovered the possibility of studying abroad in London.
In March of 2022, after numerous advisement meetings, interest meetings, and lots contemplating, I made the decision to apply to the University of Roehampton in London, United Kingdom. Through a valuable partnership with Performing Arts Abroad, my semester has been carefully crafted to be immersed in the London theater scene. I am currently studying as a junior and taking this program in my fifth semester at Naz (the first semester of junior year). In my opinion, this is the perfect time to study abroad. Over the past 2 years I have been given the tools that I need to be successful here like technique classes, repertoire classes, and tons of performance opportunities/classes.
This semester-long program abroad is through tuition exchange and makes it easy for me to participate in all of the fantastic training opportunities here. My weekly schedule is, how I like to describe it, perfectly hectic! At the beginning of the week on Monday’s, I start at Roe with my “Introduction to the London Stage” class. This class meets in the classroom once a week and we go to some sort of supplemental event like a show, art gallery, or museum to discuss our takeaways and the impact each event had on us. This week I saw Blues for an Alabama Sky at the National Theatre, which is one of the most prominent publicly funded performing arts venues in the U.K. The goal for this class is that students get fully engaged with all parts of London theater, not just the big flashy West End musicals. My training schedule continues on Tuesday and Wednesday at the “West End on Demand” class series. This course brings in working industry professionals that host classes in addition to mock auditions, dance calls, workshops, master classes, and more. The typical class routine is an acting class, then a dance class, followed by a song class.
At the end of the week, I spend Thursday and Friday at Shakespeare’s Globe- yes the real Globe theater. Here I study Shakespearian text and work with some of the best Shakespeare artists in the world. And it all happens on Shakespeare’s very own home stage. These classes focus on text work, acting, voice work, movement, and specialty classes like clowning!
In my off time I supplement my training by attending voice lessons. I also attend dance classes with the Roehampton Student Union’s Dance Society which offers daily classes. What would this experience be if I did not see as much theater as possible! My friends and I are constantly entering show lotteries, looking for rush tickets, and same day discounts. London Theatre is far more accessible than theater in New York. We consistently find good tickets for less than $25, 
and so far I have seen almost 15 shows! Some of my favorites include, Back to the Future: The Musical, Henry VIII at Shakespeare’s Globe, and House of Flamenca. Not only have I seen some of the best theater in my life but I have also seen the most diverse amount of theater in my life. I spend one night at The Great Gatsby Immersive Experience and the next I find myself at an improv musical called Showstoppers! where performers make up a story and songs as a group, as they go.
I am absolutely over the moon to be able to study abroad here. Thanks to the diligent work of the theater faculty members at Nazareth, all of my classes will be transferred and I will get credit towards my degree plan. I look forward to reporting back with my experiences of culture shock, both as a student and a theater goer.
