Meet some of our theater and performance studies majors.
Carolina Arap
Annelise Seligmann
Theo Ellis Novotny
Mai Linh Wong
Carolina Arap
Hometown: SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil and New York, NY
Majors: theater, Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture (Ancient Greek concentration)
What was your motivation to major in theater?
As someone who is pursuing acting professionally, majoring in theater was a no-brainer. I was attracted to the program at Oxy because it felt truly holisticâa program where I could not only indulge in my pursuits as an actress, but also gain a thorough understanding of what goes into theater in all its avenues. I felt as though my love for theater would be fostered at Oxy and given room to be expanded and shaped further. I also appreciated that Oxy's theater department still allowed me to explore other academic interests, such as in the Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture department.
Can you describe your working relationships with theater professors? Are there any standout classes youâve taken?
My professors treat me as an equal and a peer, a treatment which young artists often donât get but deeply crave. There is a commitment to helping students achieve their goals that creates an environment where I feel comfortable reaching out to any professor at any point and know that they are always willing to lend a hand. Although I'm close with all professors in the department, and have equal admiration for all of them, Iâve been especially lucky to have worked very closely with Prof. Power throughout my time in the department as a mentor, director in productions (Oedipus at Colonus and SLANGUAGE!), and professor. Most notably, his August Wilson: Art, Life, & Legacy class and his Playwriting class expanded my understanding of theatrical aspects I was not previously well versed in both creatively and academically. Iâm incredibly grateful for Prof. Powerâs mentorship, and I credit him with aiding me in becoming the artist Iâve become at Oxy. Iâve also had abundant opportunities to work with guest artists, which helped broaden and deepen my artistic horizons through an entirely new lens.
In an art form that is inherently based in community and collaboration, [at Oxy] Iâve had the chance to become part of a family filled with incredible young artists who are constantly learning from each other and teaching each other.
Can you talk about your involvements in the department and your senior comps project?
Aside from acting in mainstage productions I have been a part of several student productions. Most recently, I got to play Rose in a workshop of Annie Bakerâs The Flick in a student production. It was a passion project, completely helmed by students on every front, and I will cherish that experience forever. Iâm currently working on my senior comps project for acting, where I am documenting and exploring my process while acting in the mainstage production of Neil Simonâs Rumors, directed by guest artist Tyrone Davis. In this project Iâm culminating all of the knowledge Iâve gathered throughout my time at Oxy into a paper and performance that I hope will reflect who Iâve become, and continue to become, as an artist.
What do you find most compelling about studying theater?
In the ongoing pursuit of the many truths of many characters in many stories, I feel as though theater brings one closer to their own humanity. In an art form that is inherently based in community and collaboration Iâve had the chance to become part of a family filled with incredible young artists who are constantly learning from each other and teaching each other, and through every character I play and every show I partake in I learn a little more about myself as both a human in the world and an artist. Theater has elevated my sense of the many worlds and realities outside of my own, constantly challenging my notions of the world Iâm a part of. Studying theater opens me up to endless growth, freedom, and possibilities.
My professors treat me as an equal and a peer, a treatment which young artists often donât get.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to put you on this path?
Post-Oxy I plan on pursuing an acting career full-time, although at Oxy Iâve discovered that I want to expand that pursuit into choreographing and writing as well. Being given so much freedom to explore different creative pathways has shown me that although I predominantly want to work as a performer, I have a deep passion for movement work and playwriting. After college I want to continue to make work that feels meaningful and transformative, whether that work serves to disturb and disrupt, or to comfort and transport those who need it. I believe art is a necessity, not only for me personally, but for the world.
What is the vibe of the theater department?
Keck Theater is my safe space on campus. When I walk in I feel like reality gets suspended, and I get to just create and pour myself into my work. The vibe of the theater department is that of freedom, fun, and family. I can always count on finding refuge when I walk into Keck.
Annelise Seligmann
Hometown: Goshen, NY
Major: theater minor: art history
What was your motivation to major in theater?
I came in strong to Oxy convinced I was going to be a minor until the theater department's welcome reception my first year. It was full of new and returning majors, and the environment, connection, and community that I saw in just that hour were enough to show me that's where I wanted to spend my time. The theater department is one of the most community-driven majors. From classes to main stages to student projects, the department fosters a collaborative environment that supports and encourages creativity, not just among faculty members but also among peers. I wanted to be in a space where I felt like I really knew the people I was working with, and wasnât just taking classes with them. Knowing that my peers can come to me for help with their student projects, and knowing I can always turn to them, reminds me of the care that theater fosters.
Can you describe your working relationships with theater professors? Are there any standout classes youâve taken?
The professors and faculty in the department are not just here to teach, but also to engage, collaborate, push, and guide. Much of the work we do allows for a deep connection with the professors. I know that after leaving Oxy, I can reach out to any of my professors and find a place to talk. One of my favorite aspects of the theater department is the constant flow of visiting instructors, which allows us to engage with diverse walks of life, different perspectives, and new ideas, connecting us to greater LA and California. One of the outstanding classes Iâve taken is the Topics in Performance: Clown and Comedy class taught by 2025 Wanless Visiting Artist Daniel Passer, where we learned the fundamentals of clowning. Not only did I learn deeply about clowning and comedy, but it also allowed me to return to playfulness and joy in the work that I do.
The theater department is one of the most community-driven majors. The professors and faculty in the department are not just here to teach, but also to engage, collaborate, push, and guide. Much of the work we do allows for a deep connection with the professors.
What do you find most compelling about studying theater?
The activation of what we learn. Some classes are based on theory, but many of the courses offered in this department (along with the mainstage productions) provide space for you to activate your creativity and learning. It's not just sitting and studying. It's getting up and putting your whole self into the process, whether you're acting, building the set, directing, or hanging the lights. After a full day of sitting in lectures, I love that I can walk into my class and know we will be working on our feet.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to put you on this path?
I came into Oxy wanting to study directing and I was stuck on that being my path. However, in the spring of my first year, I was convinced to take Intro to Technical Theater, and my entire course was shifted. I had never even touched a tool before coming to Oxy, and now I spend every semester building. Additionally, I've discovered my passion for stage managing, which enables me to apply the skills I've developed here to my summer jobs. The liberal arts approach to theater allowed me to discover paths in theater that I didn't even know I wanted, which has opened up future opportunities.
Theo Ellis Novotny
Hometown: Burlington, VT
Majors: theater, biology (marine biology) minor: music
What was your motivation to major in theater?
I love acting, both the craft behind it and the experience of performing onstage, so Iâve always wanted to major in theater. However, the experience that really solidified it for me was being part of the Occidental Childrenâs Theater (OCT) company during Summer 2024. OCT is a professional theater troupe that performs a new show each summer, combining acrobatics, storytelling, fairy tales, and humor into a truly unique physical theater experience. As a part of the OCT company, I was able to learn so many new skills and perform for kids across the LA area, and it really helped me envision a future for myself as an actor.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities through Oxy?
Over the summer of 2023, I did research with Prof. Kozinn through the Humanities for Just Communities program. We interviewed members of the Oxy community about their experiences during COVID-19, creating an archive of stories that would go on to be used for the Spring 2025 studio show on campus, Alone Together. During that time, we also studied methods used in documentary and devised theater, and our final product for the summer was a performance where we each presented a devised theater piece.
So much of our work takes place beyond the classroom, with a lot of our learning coming from mentorship and collaboration with the theater faculty and staff in productions and independent projects.
What is the vibe of the theater department?
In the theater department, so much of our work takes place beyond the classroom, with a lot of our learning coming from mentorship and collaboration with the theater faculty and staff in productions and independent projects. This creates a really inspiring, collaboration-forward vibe throughout the department and I feel like all the theater students really benefit from it. Weâre also encouraged to seek out the parts of theater that we enjoy, which leads to a lot of independent student projects. Through my experience producing the musical Title of Show in Spring 2025, Iâve seen just how much our community rallies around each other to help all of us reach our goals.
Mai Linh Wong
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Major: theater minor: Critical Theory & Social Justice
Can you describe your working relationships with theater professors? Are there any standout classes youâve taken?
I am proud to say that I enjoy and get along with all the professors in the department. Other than classes I have taken with them, I collaborate with them on mainstage shows, whether as an actor or on the crew. One standout class I have taken was THEA 110, which was a devising class with an amazing guest professor.
What do you find most compelling about studying theater?
I believe theater is a way to study humanity: our emotions, our connection to one another, and society in general. It compels me to deepen my empathetic understanding of others and myself. Plus, it is done in a fun and creative way!
Oxyâs theater department has a very warm atmosphere and feels like home. I basically live in Keck Theater year-round, so it is easy to get comfortable and find friends.
What is the vibe of the theater department?
Oxyâs theater department has a very warm atmosphere and feels like home. I basically live in Keck Theater year-round, so it is easy to get comfortable and find friends.
To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.
