Students in Elon's BFA Acting and Music Theatre Senior Seminar enjoyed a virtual Q&A with actor and writer Rachel Bloom as part of their professional preparation.
On Wednesday, April 26, Elon’s students had a virtual sit-down with one of their heroes, Rachel Bloom.
Bloom, a comedy pioneer who launched her career by working in improv and creating dynamic comedy content on the internet, shared stories of her own challenges building her career and answered students’ questions as they face their own futures. Bloom co-created the successful CW series, ‘My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ and continues to write and develop for film and television.
While she did speak to the creative work, Bloom focused on the skills necessary in shaping a successful career. Time management, accountability and confidence were the main themes of the day as Bloom encouraged students to follow their own joy and passions, while remaining disciplined. Students were deeply impacted by her focus and determination, as well as her generosity.
Elon’s connection to Bloom comes through faculty member, Dan Callaway, adjunct professor of performing arts, as Bloom had been a student in Callaway’s Los Angeles voice studio. Bloom is just one of the industry guests that has virtually joined the Acting and Music Theatre Senior Seminar programs this year.
This session fits into a larger section of senior seminar this spring that is co-led by Callaway and Kim Shively, assistant professor of performing arts, on the nuts and bolts of “adulting” as a successful artist in the industry. Students have learned about budgeting, taxes, organization and creating their own content. The collaboration between Callaway and Shively began 10 years ago in Los Angeles, where the team taught workshops together.