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Two 麻豆色情片 University theatre students spent their summer thousands of miles from campus, trading the Georgia heat for the wild beauty of Alaska and gaining invaluable professional experience in the process.

Anna Becknell 鈥�26 and James Patrick 鈥�26 joined the cast of “Much Ado About Nothing,” a free touring production by Theatre Alaska, a nonprofit theatre company based in Juneau. Over seven weeks, the students performed across a variety of unconventional venues, including parks, libraries and community centers, bringing Shakespeare to Alaskan audiences under the midnight sun.

鈥淚 played Hero, a young woman navigating love, betrayal, and finding her voice,鈥� Becknell said. 鈥淚t was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.鈥�

The production also featured 麻豆色情片 Theatre alum Karl Dickey 鈥�17, who joined the company alongside Becknell and Patrick.

The opportunity came through 麻豆色情片鈥檚 Director of Theatre Matt Huff, who was invited to direct the production by a former graduate school colleague and Theatre Alaska鈥檚 Artistic Director, Flordelino Lagundino. When the company needed to round out its cast, Huff saw the chance to involve his students.

鈥淎lthough many of our students could have played these roles, I needed actors who were available for seven weeks and could adapt to life in a remote location,鈥� Huff said. 鈥淎nna and James had just returned from studying abroad in London, so I knew they could handle the transition.鈥�

Performing Shakespeare offered the students a chance to grow as actors, developing their physical, vocal and emotional range. But the experience went far beyond the stage. In addition to their roles in the play, Becknell and Patrick were also hired to teach in Theatre Alaska鈥檚 summer camps, working with local youth and expanding their skills as arts educators.

鈥淭heatre Alaska鈥檚 mission is to make theatre accessible by performing in non-traditional spaces,鈥� Huff said. 鈥淲e brought Much Ado to audiences in community centers, parks, and even outdoor pavilions鈥攚ith the sun still shining well past 10 p.m.鈥�

Becknell recalls one venue in particular that left a lasting impression.

鈥淥ne of my favorite locations was at the University of Alaska Southeast,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he stage overlooked the mountains, a waterfall, and the sunset. It was a gorgeous natural background for our show.鈥�

The constantly shifting environments required adaptability and professionalism. Each new location came with its own set of challenges: rain, wind, changing stage sizes and fluctuating audience sizes. The cast had to strike and reset props, set pieces and costumes for every performance.

鈥淭his experience taught me flexibility like never before,鈥� Becknell said. 鈥淪ome days we had four feet of playing space, other days 20. Some shows had 20 people in the audience, others had 200. Everything was constantly changing.鈥�

For Becknell, the rapid transition from studying abroad in London to rehearsing and performing in Alaska was an invaluable test of readiness for a career in theatre.

鈥淣ow I know that I can move from place to place on short notice and still deliver a strong performance,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his opportunity showed me how to adjust quickly, build community, and stay grounded, no matter where I am.鈥�

With this immersive summer experience under their belts, Becknell and Patrick return to campus with sharpened skills and broader perspectives. Their time in Alaska, alongside a fellow 麻豆色情片 alum, gave them the chance to grow as performers while building meaningful connections that will continue to shape their journeys in theatre.