Honors & Theatre: How Dr. Ross Does It All
农夫导航 believes in the importance of intersecting academics with art. Ambition, creativity, and a desire to connect with others drive our students to succeed, whether they鈥檙e presenting their Honors thesis or delivering a Shakespearan monologue.
Dr. Zackary Ross, as the Honors Program Director and Associate Professor of Theatre, represents this intersection of arts and sciences and inspires students from all sectors of campus.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of similarities between the two groups. They鈥檙e both really creative and really passionate about their work. I鈥檓 constantly motivated by that level of dedication and passion that I see in my students,鈥 Dr. Ross said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e really striving to be the best versions of themselves and to engage themselves in work that鈥檚 going to challenge them and lead to their growth.鈥
Ellie Spalding, a second-year English major with minors in Music, Theatre, and Creative Writing, credits the Honors program for allowing her to 鈥減ursue areas where [her] academic interests and personal fulfillments overlap.鈥
鈥淚 took an Honors class called Honors Community-Based Theater. We got to go into the Nazareth Home right next to Bellarmine, and work with the residents there on building theater with them. We take stories from throughout their lives and creative performance pieces鈥 It was just a wonderful opportunity where I got to combine all the different things that I鈥檓 interested in into one class.鈥
Bellarmine鈥檚 Honors Program aims to propel high-achieving students with multifaceted interests towards their goals. Through close faculty mentorship, co-curricular experiences, and specialized coursework, students in the Honors Program embark on a transformative and rigorous path towards intellectual improvement.
The result of their hard work? A senior thesis: a capstone project designed by the student, customized to their areas of interest, study, and research.
鈥淢aking an honors thesis, especially at Bellarmine, can be really taxing,鈥 said Logan Boyd, an Honors student studying Political Science and History. His senior thesis, titled The Podcast Election, culminated in eighty pages of complex research over political, social, and cultural trends.
鈥淏ut Dr. Ross allowed me to thrive in ways that other people in that position might have limited鈥 He鈥檚 very understanding of Honors students and their needs.鈥
In one word, the goal of the Honors program might be growth 鈥 something Dr. Ross finds himself confronted with when surrounded by his students.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to be in that world and not have it rub off on you,鈥 Dr. Ross said. 鈥淚 constantly find myself pushing my own limitations, and working harder to meet them at that level.鈥
Before our Honors students present their capstone projects, they have numerous opportunities to explore their interests through exciting courses, participate in community engagement events, and experience Bellarmine to its fullest. For many students, this means finding a place in our vibrant creative scene.
Bellarmine is a proud host of Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society. Alpha Psi Omega (commonly shortened to APO) provides students a chance to lead their own productions, develop necessary problem solving skills, and network with like-minded actors, playwrights, and directors.
鈥淸Alpha Psi Omega] is a tight-knit community of people who are involved in the same thing as you. It鈥檚 always nice to have a space to go into where we can talk through things, recommend new shows, and experience theatre,鈥 Kat Carter, a third-year Arts Administration and Theatre double-major and President of APO, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really nice, warm community.鈥
Carter鈥檚 first year as President of APO has been marked by several successful performances of student-led shows, including tributes to and retellings of Macbeth and Dracula. Carter believes Bellarmine鈥檚 chapter of APO thrives because of its faculty sponsor and Chapter President, Dr. Zack Ross.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want my students leaving just knowing more about a topic, but actually believing more in themselves, their own voice, their leadership abilities, and their ability to think critically.鈥 Dr. Ross said.
鈥淏eing students, we don鈥檛 have all the real-world problem-solving skills required by theater yet,鈥 Carter said. 鈥淪o, if we have an issue, we鈥檙e always welcome to walk into [Dr. Ross鈥檚 office and complain. He doesn鈥檛 hold our hand through it 鈥 he lays out a plan and says, 鈥榊ou guys solve it now.鈥欌
Whether these problems appear in the form of ripped costumes, forgotten lines, or stage fright, Carter and her mentor, Dr. Ross, collaborate to empower their troupe of actors and remind them of their place in the community.
鈥淚 met Dr. Ross when I was Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. I was terrified,鈥 Spalding said. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from starring in her high school theatre program, which left her with feelings of self-doubt and fear for her abilities as an actor.
鈥淸Dr. Ross made me feel so welcomed and valued. He really showed me that I do have potential, and I do have talent, and I can do this thing that I really, really love doing.鈥
This impact is exactly what Dr. Ross strives to see reflected in his students.
鈥淚mpact, for me, is how someone feels, thinks, or grows as a result of the way you show up for them,鈥 Dr. Ross said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about creating the environment where people feel like they are seen, supported, and challenged in the best possible way.鈥
Spalding described that environment as 鈥減rofessional, yet kind and loving.鈥
Kennedy Tandy, a third-year Theatre major and frequent star in APO productions, reported growth in more than just her acting abilities after building a relationship with Dr. Ross.
鈥淚 was really able to open up and do what I love. I found my passion,鈥 Tandy said. 鈥淸Dr. Ross] has really been encouraging of me going out and exploring all these different opportunities that Louisville has to offer, and the world has to offer.鈥
Tandy鈥檚 feelings and experiences are exactly what the Bellarmine Impact is about, according to Dr. Ross:
鈥淪tudents can come here knowing that when they leave, not only are they going to have a better sense of who they are currently, but who they can be.鈥
If you believe you鈥檒l excel in the fast-paced world of Honors, whether it be academic or theatrical! You can learn more about the program here.