MJ Casey

M.F.A., Drama, Catholic University

"I treasure the time I spent at Naz and especially the experiences I shared in the Theatre Arts Department. I transferred from another school where I had been majoring in another field and it was actually an alum who had studied art that made the suggestion that I look into the Nazareth Theatre Arts Department. This point brings the strength of the department into focus: A student of another discipline at Naz, so respected the work Theatre Arts department to recommend it.

The summer prior to my first year at Naz, I decided to stop by for a visit, scout the campus and hopefully catch a professor or two and just pick the brains of whomever happened to be around. I met the chair at the time and a newly hired professor and immediately realized that I had made the right choice. Their manner, wealth of knowledge and sense of fun was contagious. My experiences with the faculty of the Theatre Arts department made me certain I was going in the right direction in pursuing work in the theatre. At the beginning of my senior year, I was cast in a professional production outside of the college and although I was swamped with class work and another production in the department, the support of the faculty not only never wavered, but further nurtured my ambition.

Although my primary focus was on acting, I relished the curriculum that required me to learn and experience other areas that I had little to no familiarity (Costume & Make-up Design) and course work that was both challenging (Theatre History) and exciting (Acting Styles). I worked in the scene shop, worked events for the Arts Center, and eventually was technical director and scenic designer for a couple of shows. I was never lacking for the experiences that gave me a full appreciation for the complete medium of Theatre.

The social aspect of the Theatre Arts department had a strong impact on me as well. Whether it was excursions to Stratford Ontario with faculty and fellow students, attending productions at local professional theatres, joining and later serving as Vice-President of the Nazareth Theatre League, performing Shakespeare Workshop (taking Shakespearean scenes to high schools), becoming a member of the Alpha Psi Omega (the National Theatre Fraternity) or working on other students’ projects, I continued to search for and was rewarded with a plethora of experiences, responsibilities, and honors that made all the difference once I was out in the working world.

My time at Naz prepared me for graduate school (MFA in Drama, Catholic University), three national tours, two Helen Hayes Award nominations, membership in the Actor's Equity Association, and consistent work in a field of study that can be very daunting and difficult to pursue. I cannot even count the number of things I still carry with me from my time in the department and keep at the ready whether I am acting, directing, or teaching students who, with ambition and a desire to succeed, I can then pass those lessons to which I learned in the Theatre Arts Department of Nazareth College."