Emma is recently pitched a new adaptive makeup and costume class for CAA’s School of Theatre.
Student Emma L. first toured CAA’s former campus in 2018, but paperwork complications prevented her from receiving the necessary funding in order to enroll. Finally in 2020, she was able to get funding and was able to start taking classes online.
Since starting as a student, Emma has embraced all the different class options that CAA offers. She is mostly involved in theater and dance classes, but also appreciates having the opportunity to take other classes and explore her different areas of interest.
A particularly meaningful part of Emma’s experience at CAA has been her involvement in the Workforce Development Program. As a student worker, she has gained the experience and encouragement that is needed to take on new roles. Recently, she started as an Associate Professor (AP) in some classes, giving her the chance to step outside her comfort zone and develop new skills.
By having taken many classes in the School of Theatre herself, Emma noticed an opportunity to expand CAA’s class offerings. She recognized that costuming was missing from the program, and was encouraged by Workforce Development Manager Alison to try creating a class that would help fill that gap. Today, she teaches “Storytelling through Costume and Design” alongside co-teacher Professor Mike Medina, and even though it only started this semester, Emma says it is going very well.
Emma was not sure what to expect when she began teaching, but is enjoying the positive atmosphere that the students bring to the classroom. While she does enjoy teaching classes, she also enjoys the ones where she can just be a student and focus on building her own skills.
For Emma, CAA is a place where people can discover new interests, develop their abilities, and pursue opportunities they may not have imagined for themselves.
— Written by Nina Pal, Volunteer