"There is a time where you should listen to your brain, and a time where you should just turn it off and do what you think is right. I know I overthink things a lot. Working with Dr. Liz and Melanie Stewart I learned you can just take a break and do what feels right, natural... what your body is telling you." -Connor Shields, freshman theatre arts major with concentrations in MT and theatre education.
Wrapping up another semester may seem average, but for some, learning amid COVID-19 was their first college experience. Reflecting on the last four months proved inspiring for one student in particular.
Connor Shields is a freshman theatre arts major with concentrations in musical theatre and theatre education. Living on campus, he is one of the most enveloped students in the 'new normal' of college you can find. From virtual classes, making friends amid a pandemic, and performing in projects, Shields is here to look back on how his first semester went.
Want to hear more about Connor's student life, why he chose Rowan, and what he's taken away from this school year? Keep on reading!
With the exception of the lighting and carpentry sections of Stagecraft Fundamentals, Shields had all virtual classes for his first semester of college. He admitted his classes ended up being not as bad as anticipated. None of them were too hectic. The only class he found difficulties with was Introduction to Performance (a movement-based class) because of the space in his dorm. Shields said he thought it went really well, all things considered.
Were you able to have theatrical opportunities this semester?
"Yes! I was in 'The Curious Incident Project' directed by Dr. Elizabeth Hostetter. I didn't know what to expect going in. I didn't go in thinking, 'Oh, this is like a normal show where you rehearse every day for x number of hours and then go home.' I liked the fact that it was a mix of in-person scenes and a weekly group collective rehearsal on Zoom. I also thought it was nice that it was not a full-on show, but a project. That way they could try and space things out, let people try different characters, and it was all about discovering and creating something. It was refreshing since the last time I got to do anything with a live theatre aspect would have been March."
How has it been to live on campus?
"I loved it. Mimosa Hall is in the middle of everything so I can just get up and have a short walking distance everywhere. It's nice being able to walk around, seeing people go about their business. Everyone has masks on too which is surprising, but I'm not complaining about that! I think the whole campus atmosphere is great. Part of it could be because I'm a freshman, so I don't know what it's normally like here. This is what college is like for me at this point. I don't know what I'm potentially missing out on, but it's great."
What was it like to make friends in college during a pandemic?
"Back in March, someone made a group chat so we all knew of each other from that beforehand. In the first week or so before classes Rowan had a bunch of welcome events so we got to know each other. There were also a bunch of RAH (Rowan After Hours) events over the course of the semester. I thought it was pretty easy making friends in my grade and with upperclassmen because you have the opportunities to. My mom said there are all these parents on the Facebook pages saying, 'My kid's stuck inside all day, has no one...' but I think of it as it is what you make of it. If you go out and try to make friends it will happen; you just have to work on it."
"Before I committed here I shadowed back in February. After 15/20 minutes I was like, 'Yeah, I want to be here.' I guess that was when it started (Rowan feeling like home). I was very suprised with how welcoming everyone here is."
Why did you choose the Rowan University Department of Theatre & Dance?
"We have all of these different concentration opportunities. I came in for MT and my parents asked me what my other major was. From talking with upperclassmen and staff after I applied, this seemed like a very good program where I would get a quality education and also be able to do another major or multiple concentrations. I added the theatre education concentration because I want to be an education major."
What is the biggest lesson you have taken away from your first semester?
"There is a time where you should listen to your brain, and a time where you should just turn it off and do what you think is right. I know I overthink things a lot. Working with Dr. Liz and Melanie I learned you can just take a break and do what feels right, natural... what your body is telling you."
When asked what Shields is most excited for next semester, he eagerly responded with being cast in the ensemble of our spring radio show production of Heathers. He is especially excited to work with director Dr. Chris Roche and music director Jess Arnold. Shields also found it nice to choose his own schedule and not follow a set curriculum like high school.
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See you next SEMESTER!!
Erica Gerold
Musical Theatre & Public Relations '23
(Left) Connor Shields, freshman theatre arts major with concentrations in musical theatre and theatre education. Pictured with Lennon Heitz, MT concentration freshman.
Awesome article! Really loving this blog!!