Jake Rose (BFA – Dramatic Arts ’20) was an engaged and high-achieving drama student throughout his degree, getting involved in performance and behind-the-scenes opportunities, winning two Play Right Prize competitions and starting as in intern with local company Theatre Outre upon graduating.
According to drama faculty Dr. Shelley Scott,
“Jake won prizes in two of the Play Right Prize competitions and had one of his winning plays produced at TheatreXtra (directed by another of our shining graduates, Corey Ariss). He worked in the scene shop and designed and built a major set component for "The Mousetrap," among other projects. And he acted in a number of mainstage productions, including "When There's Nothing Left to Burn" (sponsored by Terry Whitehead), "Lie of the Mind" and "The Dada Cabaret" (for which he wrote and performed a scene). Plus, he was an excellent and engaged student in the academic courses he took with me.”
We asked Jake about his uLethbridge experience:
Q: What is your most memorable uLethbridge experience?
Watching the first production that I had a major hand in bringing together, and seeing the whole thing implode— it was a beautiful slow motion failure, a collage of hard earned mistakes and learning. I’m incredibly grateful to have been given opportunities to make such mistakes over and over throughout the years.
Q: Is there someone specific who had an important influence on your time at uLethbridge?
So many of the professors, staff, and students here in the drama department have shaped who I am over the course of these few years. To name a few people who have given me the tools to succeed, I’d have to thank Justin Blum, Gail Hanrahan, Ron Chambers, and Arlene Curran.
Q: What is the most important lesson you learned?
Not everyone has a fair shot at their dreams in life. If you’re not born in the arts; If you didn’t come from the "right” economic background; If you’re not the "right” skin colour; If you don’t have the “right” voice; If you struggle where so many others have not, your dream is worth pursuing. The world needs your voice. Work harder than everyone else and never question that you earned it.
Q: What are your hopes/plans for the future?
I hope to make theatre independently alongside peers, to tell stories that wouldn’t be told otherwise. Focusing on community, art, and storytelling for a purpose.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are about to begin their post-secondary journeys?
Be involved, listen to other viewpoints, and try to understand how the world works— that, far more than the content of your classes, is what education is about.
It can be hard to understand your place in the world, but sometimes by accepting that you have the ability to wander and that you aren’t lost, then you can realize that it’s not about finding a place in the world, but carving the world around yourself.