Setting the Stage for Success by Brima

Setting the Stage for Success by Brima - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

Lights! Camera! Transition?!? I recently graduated from high school, and now that I have crossed that stage, it's time for me to cross the next one into college as an acting major. I’m about to step into a new world that will offer me new challenges and opportunities, and I'm going to need to set goals if I want to map out my success. This fall, I will be beginning my college journey at Texas State University as a student in the BFA Acting program. The program is highly selective and only selects 14 students out of over 300 auditions a year. Understanding the huge honor of having been selected, I plan to start the year off right and hit the ground running. I've set 3 clear, intentional goals to help me be successful this year. For this upcoming school year, my freshman year goals are to strengthen my time management, prioritize my well-being, and be cast in one of the theater department's spring productions.

My first goal is to strengthen my time management so I can balance rehearsals, coursework, and part-time work. I know that in college, I will be in rehearsals for shows, completing work for my non-theater-related courses, all while working a campus job to support myself financially. With these things in mind, I realize I will need to get better at managing my time, so I don't get overwhelmed with the workload and experience burnout. What motivates me to achieve this goal is that, in reality, as a professional actor, I will constantly be balancing the demands of multiple commitments. While acting is my passion, it is not always the most financially stable career, so I plan to work a lucrative day job while managing personal responsibilities such as bills and relationships. By strengthening my time management skills now, I will be prepared for that reality. If I can successfully balance rigorous coursework, rehearsals, and a part-time job this year, I know I can handle similar demands after graduation. To achieve this goal, I plan on using calendars, setting rehearsal prep times, and using my downtime wisely. These strategies will help me balance my responsibilities effectively and won't have me struggling to juggle my college responsibilities.

My second goal is to maintain a healthy work-life balance through consistent self-care and rest. The craft of theater can be very mentally, physically, and emotionally demanding. Paired with college life, neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, and as someone with a chronic illness, wellness is imperative to me. My motivation for achieving this goal is my belief that a well-rested mind and body are the foundation for everything. Through self-care, I can bring my best self to my craft and my academics, without becoming burned out by the end of the semester. To achieve this goal, I plan on setting boundaries for downtime, having self-care days, eating healthy, and making time for hobbies and friends outside of theatre. With a rested mind and body, I will be able to go out and achieve anything I put my mind to.

My third goal is to be cast in one of the theater department's spring productions. The acting program at Texas State University does not allow freshmen to be cast in the fall shows because they want us to become accustomed to college life first. We are instead allowed to audition for the spring productions, and I believe this will be my first real challenge to prove my skills in a competitive, professional environment. My motivation for this is that in high school, I could audition for every show, knowing I would likely be cast, but now that I'm in a more competitive program, I have to earn my place through skill and effort. I’m now surrounded by people who were also standouts in their schools. Everyone's competing for a chance to make the stage, but a part is not guaranteed for everyone. You have to work harder and show that you're right for the part. Being cast in one of the spring shows would prove to me that I earned my place through hard work, not luck. My plan to achieve this goal is by soaking up all the information in my acting classes this fall, coming to auditions prepared, and seeking feedback from my professors. This goal will drive me to improve upon my skills and affirm that I can take up space in this environment.

I believe all three of my goals are connected because they all instill in me the skills of resilience, discipline, and confidence, skills any actor needs for a successful career. Achieving these goals this year will set a strong foundation for my next three years at Texas State and everything beyond. I am excited to begin my journey at the university this fall. I am determined to achieve all of my goals and am fueled by what motivates me to accomplish them. For me, this year won't just be about passing classes, but stepping into the kind of artist and person I aspire to be.