Jaquel Spivey '21 starred in A Strange Loop, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Spivey was also nominated for a Lead Actor Tony Award and is in rehearsals for Mean Girls Movie Musical.

"I was able to experience a real theatrical scene shop and experiment with various construction methods and techniques ... The production staff and teachers became more than my educators, they are my role models for a successful career in technical theatre."

"Teachers knew how to shape young actors who had a passion for their craft ... Point Park taught me how to do the hard work and I was blessed to have professors who shaped the actor I am today."

"Every professor and my entire COPA family impacted me at Point Park University. It is because of all of you that I continue to strive to be the best version of myself as an actor."

"I visited Point Park during COPA Experience Day, and after interacting with students, taking a class and watching students perform, I felt that Point Park was exactly what I needed."

"Your career is purely dependent on your attitude, outlook on life and experiences learned; so soak up as much as you can during your time at Point Park. The program offers you an extremely wide variety of opportunities that will prepare you for anything."

"Teaching in the Conservatory and the Pittsburgh Playhouse brings me joy. Although the instructors and staff have decades of collective expertise, we collaborate with the students to create art and find solutions to challenges."

"Keep an open mind to the possibilities you have for making art and impacting the world. I'm committed to helping you build your skills, to recognizing and trusting your creative impulses and to developing ways of working that are sustainable, collaborative and constructive."

"Students are unique individuals, the vessel through which the characters they play comes through. It's important they understand they're enough, and feel empowered to tell stories and look backward for perspective and forward to expanding the possibilities of storytelling."

"I strive to create an atmosphere in which the classroom can become a place of discovery and invention, and not a place of imitation and mimickry. I want to encourage artists to find their way, with guidance, but without limitations and preconceptions."

"The students are my favorite part of teaching here; their distinguishing characteristic — in addition to their openness, discipline and creativity — is their deep commitment to collaborating with each other, while artistically responding to the world around them."

"There is nothing like working with driven, talented, hard-working students who are open and ready to learn, and to see their growth and development over the course of their four years of training."

"Theatre arts students have opportunities to learn about artistic leadership, producing, marketing and publicity and all aspects of creating a four show season. Additionally, students who study advanced directing are the leaders of our One Act Festival."

"I have a very hands-on approach to teaching. We spend more time doing than talking. I aim for a class that is both challenging and fun."

"My teaching approach is physical, collaborative and ensemble-oriented. Where the process or journey of the task is to discover a truthful physical life of possibilities related to performance."

"I try to balance the seriousness with which I take our work — and the reason that I'm there to support the student — with a sense of humor and the energy of play when we are making theatre."

"I strive to draw connections between all elements of a student's training to best prepare them for success in the industry. What I love about teaching at Point Park is the individualized approach to learning and the collaborative spirit between all departments."

"I love to teach and think about when and where and how one's creative potential manifests. It's a magical process."

"I envision myself as a stepping stone for the groundbreaking artists in the theatre department. I believe that my initiative, energy for innovation and enthusiasm will aid in students' learning of music."

"It is inspiring to get to watch a generation discover what you already love, and it is a constant reminder of how lucky we are to get to do this every day."

Broadway actor E. Clayton Cornelious is currently playing the role of Paul Williams in the first National Tour of Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations. Cornelious is also a co-producer of the Broadway hit new musical New York, New York.

"I encourage anyone who is interested in majoring in musical theatre to seriously consider Point Park — I have grown in ways I never thought possible."

"As a Point Park student you create your own path. Especially as a theatre arts student, you get to direct your own education. The resources available to us, both at school and in the Pittsburgh area, are plentiful."

"Point Park's Department of Theatre was very welcoming and made me feel like I could do anything I wanted to in this field. I was looking for a program that was both rigorous and inviting, and I definitely found it here at Point Park."

"I give Point Park a lot of credit for preparing and helping me find my career path. Point Park has taught me to be a hardworking and valuable artist who is confident in my work."

"My Point Park experience taught me how important collaboration and communication are to a creative production."

"I chose Point Park because of how well-rounded the Conservatory is. I knew I would get top-notch training in all three disciplines: singing, dancing and acting."

"Since graduating, I have been published nationally in editorial magazines, photographed and creatively directed campaigns for brands like Dermalogica, PPG Paints and People Magazine. I've had so many opportunities that I was able to build from my college experience."

"The faculty I've worked with have created professional environments in the classroom, and worked with the students to create a safe and welcoming space to explore new sides of ourselves as actors."

"I've had tremendous growth over the years at Point Park. I came from a background as a scenic painter in high school to now being able to design sets for shows."