麻豆传媒

For 麻豆传媒 sophomore Armando Arteaga and a generous 麻豆传媒 grad, theatre brings humanity to life. 

Armando Arteaga, a sophomore theatre education major from Aurora, Colorado, came to 麻豆传媒 because it was the alma mater of the high school teachers who inspired him 鈥� and he wants to inspire the next generation. 鈥淚 want to be considered an amazing educator who inspires students to be the best they can,鈥� he says.

Arteaga recently received a merit-based scholarship that focuses on encouraging diversity and inclusivity in theatre and inspiring students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in community theatre and theatre education.

鈥�I鈥檓 interested in teaching theatre for high schoolers here in Colorado,鈥� Arteaga says. 鈥淚 want to direct shows and teach them different forms of theatre that can help them understand and broaden their outlook on what theatre is,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he biggest thing I want them to learn though, is the humanity and empathy behind theatre itself.鈥�

And it鈥檚 that sentiment 鈥� the humanity and empathy of theatre and its ability to deepen understanding 鈥� that, in part, inspired the scholarship Arteaga received.

The scholarship鈥檚 donor, a 麻豆传媒 alumnus who wishes to remain anonymous, also found a love of theatre in high school, perusing the shelves at Barnes & Noble to build a collection of the works of Pulitzer-winning playwright August Wilson.

He also points to Lorraine Hansberry (who wrote A Raisin in the Sun), Pulitzer winner Lynn Nottage and other African American playwrights who have shaped change through their work on stage.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to have experiences that are unlike anything I could have experienced,鈥� the 2010 alumnus says. 鈥淭hey present that through fiction, and then you continue to learn beyond what was presented on the stage when you learn about these individuals.鈥�

This spring, as he and his wife watched racial injustice lead to anti-racism protests around the world, both felt compelled to act. With his love for theatre, and his belief in the difference the arts can make in the world, he began to think about how to help. He decided to provide scholarship support for underrepresented 麻豆传媒 students who are interested in teaching theatre or working in community theatre.

鈥淭he more diverse our educators are, the more world views we can have,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the educators I had at 麻豆传媒 鈥� they were teachers and they were mentors. My education at a liberal arts school built the foundation of realizing that theatre can make a change, and it built a foundation of the type of person I want to try and be. I want this cultural movement to not just be another fleeting moment. This should be a wake-up call.鈥�

Establishing this scholarship is his way, as he says, of doing what he can do, when he can do it.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a small way to help these students on their journey. If we just think about giving that little bit of help so that down the road, when it comes time to pay back student loans, then there鈥檚 less tacked on. And there鈥檚 also the excitement of receiving that scholarship on merit. These are students who have worked hard to get to where they are,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t comes back to giving what you can, when you can. If that鈥檚 time 鈥� if that鈥檚 being an audience member at a high school production 鈥� that鈥檚 a great start.鈥�

For Arteaga, the scholarship helps him pursue the work he鈥檚 been dreaming of since his own teachers supported and encouraged him.

鈥淚 felt relieved and excited when I got the scholarship. It took a weight off me when figuring out how to pay for school, and I am really excited I can continue to pursue something that I care deeply about,鈥� Arteaga says.