Emily may be backstage during all the great Mimes and FET shows, but on campus this Jersey native takes centerstage, getting super involved with Fordham’s performance groups and shining in the classroom.
Where are you from? Mahwah, NJ (the greatest state in the union), a whopping 45 minutes away.
What year are you? Sophomore
What is your major? American studies, and I’m double minoring in French and communications
What activities are you involved in? I’m the vice-president of the Mimes and Mummers, FET, FNN, WFUV, and I do lighting design for a bunch of performance groups.
Favorite movie: Anything by Hitchcock, When Harry Met Sally, Midnight in Paris.
Favorite band/musician: Bob Dylan, Louis Armstrong, Edith Piaf.
Favorite book: We the Living by Ayn Rand and Looking for Alaska by John Green. And, of course, Harry Potter.
Favorite TV show: Friends.
How did you decide to come to Fordham? I don’t think I ever went on an official tour, but I stayed overnight with a friend from high school and I really loved it! The atmosphere is really nice. The kids at Fordham are the kind of people who hold doors open, and I appreciate little things like that.
How did you become involved with the Mimes and FET? I came to see a show here when I was still a senior in high school, and really liked it. I’ve been doing theater for 12 years, and I got involved with Mimes and FET my first week of freshman year when both groups asked me to stage manage shows.
Do you have any tips for students who are trying to balance schoolwork, extracurriculars, and other obligations like internships? Manage your time well. Figure out how you work best, and go from there. Also, I find that I’m more likely to waste time if I have more of it, so I try to keep busy!
What’s your favorite thing about NY? The people, the food, and the constant change. I love that there’s always something new to do.
What’s your least favorite thing about NY? When it’s super crowded, particularly in Times Square.
Do you have a favorite Fordham memory? Spring Weekend last year was the most fun I’ve ever had in a single three-day period.
Do you have a favorite NYC memory? I worked at a non-profit theater right next to Washington Square Park this summer with a friend from Mimes, and it was really fun! I loved wandering around such a historic part of the city.
What’s your favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham? So many good ones! So far, I’ve really liked Intro to Anthropology with Dr. Benavides, Martin and Malcolm with Dr. Chapman, and American Religious Texts with Catherine Osbourne.
What’s your least favorite class you’ve taken at Fordham? Astronomy or computer science. I am not a math person at all.
Where’s your favorite spot on campus? The walkway between Eddie’s and the administration building is so pretty! Also, the lighting booth in Collins, considering how much time I spend there.
If you could give one piece of advice to a Fordham collegiette™, what would it be? College is supposed to be the best time of your life, and it goes by all too quickly, so take advantage of it. Fortunately, Fordham is an awesome place to spend these years. Do what you love, learn everything you can, and get to know yourself.
What’s your dream job? To be a producer or stage manager in professional theater, or to produce television; ultimately, to be a full-time writer.
What’s on your NYC bucket list? Go to a taping of SNL and find Balto in Central Park.
What do you think the best part of a Jesuit education is? I love taking theology classes. Religion is interesting because everyone in the world, regardless of culture, will have an opinion on it.
Who is your favorite professor at Fordham? This semester, Catherine Osbourne was really great. Not only was she an awesome professor, but she worked on Broadway doing costumes and really helped me out with a few shows. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love running into Shane Wilkins in the philosophy department all the time.
What’s one thing everyone would be surprised to learn about you? As much time as I spend working behind the scenes on everything, I sing pretty well and I danced for 10 years (though I wasn’t so good at that!). I can still tap!
Pick one!
Bronx Zoo or Botanical Gardens? Zoo (I’ve never been to the Botans)
Arthur Ave/Fordham Road? Arthur Ave! Food over fashion, though the old building facades on Fordham Road are awesome
Cafeteria or Grille? The caf any day, it’s seriously underrated
Conway or Dr. Jay’s? Conway
RamVan or Subway? Subway, I get carsick and the people-watching is better
Met or MoMA? The Met. I could spend hours and hours there.
Hot Dog or Bagel? Bagel
Broadway or Off-Broadway? To see shows, Broadway; to work, off-Broadway
Radio City or Madison Square Garden? MSG (better lights!)
Central Park or Brooklyn Bridge? Central Park