Kacie Hall is a Dramatic Arts (Performance) student. She is the 2020/2021 President of the Theatre Arts Society (TAS) and the Artistic Director of the Musical Theatre Society. She also participated in the Department of Drama’s first virtual devised theatre project, IDENTUALITY, as part of the Department's 20-21 MainStage Theatre season.

Why did you choose uLethbridge?

I am from a small town so it was really important to move somewhere that also had a sense of community. The University of Lethbridge has such a strong sense of community from the second you walk on campus, and this is especially noticeable in Fine Arts. I didn’t get that same vibe from any of the other schools I had applied to. Because I moved so far away from my friends and family, coming to a school that put priority in giving students the opportunity to connect was a huge comfort.

What is your most memorable uLethbridge experience to date? What are you looking forward to as you continue your education?

My most memorable experiences are definitely from joining student clubs. I am involved in the Theatre Arts Society (TAS) as their current President and the Musical Theatre Society as their current Artistic Director. I have met some of my closest friends through student clubs and I can’t imagine my life without them. TAS in particular has made a huge impact on my time in university because it allows students to try so many different things like event planning, marketing, administration, but it also allows us to make an impact on the experience of other students as we act as a liaison between faculty and students.

Images submitted by Kacie Hall: Musical Theatre Society (left) and Theatre Arts Society (right)

How have your professors impacted your education? Have any professors changed the way you view the world, or what you want to study?

I have LOVED every single drama class I have taken so far, and I swear that is not an exaggeration. The professors in the drama department are so amazing and supportive. They are clearly passionate about theatre and really do care about their students. Our professors push us to be the best we can be and are there to support us in our work both in and out of classes. It is evident that every single staff in this department genuinely cares about seeing students succeed.

Some of the many, many, many professors that have impacted my views on theatre have been Ron Chambers, Douglas MacArthur, and Mia van Leeuwen.

Their teaching styles are all different but one thing they all have in common is that they put emphasis on creating a safe atmosphere to explore in and the positivity that they bring into a rehearsal space. Even when criticizing work, the intention is never to make a student feel bad.

In light of COVID safety restrictions, how have you adapted to learning online?

I am currently not in Lethbridge, like many students, and the hardest thing has been not being able to see my peers. Over the past few years, I have developed such a love for my classmates and they are a huge part of my support system. I definitely consider them to be a family away from my family so it has been really tough losing that part of my education. But we all are doing our best to stay connected and support each other from far away.

What are your hopes/plans for the future?

I am very passionate about making the arts accessible so my eventual goal is to open a studio in Yellowknife, NT that is accessible to every single person, regardless of ability, age, race, socioeconomic status, skill, or anything else that acts as a barrier for people wanting to get involved. Art is such an important part of becoming a well rounded person and I think its a shame that there is so often things standing in the way of people getting to experience it.

What advice would you give to students who are considering joining the ULethbridge family?

Be open to making connections and get involved. There are so many opportunities to create from MainStage performances, TheatreXtra shows, student clubs, and other projects that pop up around Lethbridge throughout the year. The University of Lethbridge, and Lethbridge as a whole, genuinely has an amazing community and it would be a real shame not to take advantage of it.