Kaley Corinaldi’s time at UCCS has included traveling to London, performing in Theatreworks plays, serving as the student representative on the Theatreworks advisory board, working as an usher at the Ent Center for the Arts, dancing, and singing, all paired with growth and a multitude of learning opportunities.
Kaley was drawn to UCCS because of its programs, but her family’s push to pursue a theatre degree was also a driving factor.
“My family encouraged me to dive into the arts,” said Kaley. “My family supported me when I’ve tried different things that led me to theatre, and I decided to major in theatre because UCCS had the Ent Center for the Arts and a great program.”
As a freshman, Kaley auditioned for a main stage Theatreworks performance and was cast for that play. She recalled that audition was challenging.
From there, she did student shows, then auditioned for performances with Theatreworks and was cast in back-to-back Theatreworks shows.
After those two shows, Kaley continued to audition for plays and was cast in other professional shows, which taught her a lot about the professional theatre experience.
“I learned the process and how to advocate for myself, especially being a Black actress within the arts,” said Kaley. “You have to learn how to advocate for yourself in different circumstances. Every show is different, every director is different, and every cast is different.”
Within those professional settings, Kaley walked away with lessons and new experiences.
Something that kept her going and motivated her to be her own advocate was her family.
“My family has always been my number one support and they helped me know it was okay to say something when things bubble up,” she said.
Kaley’s involvement in the arts has meant exposure to both the educational process and the professional process – and a takeaway outside of being her own advocate has been forming relationships.
“I learned that I value relationships – which has included building relationships with students and personnel here at UCCS,” said Kaley. “Building those relationships has been a highlight of my college career thus far. Theatre was able to guide me down a path to create those long-lasting relationships.”
Relationship building has been essential for Kaley during her time at UCCS, but having an opportunity to venture to new places has also been a highlight.
Kaley traveled to London as a Landis Family Endowed Theatre and Dance Travel Award recipient. Students at UCCS who are majoring in theatre or dance can apply for the Landis Family award that allows students to travel and gain insights into their specialty of dance or theatre.
“I first applied for the scholarship with a focus on fashion design and I wasn’t selected,” said Kaley. “Then I had an instructor tell me I should apply again and apply with a focus on my specific passion. The second time I applied, I designed a research project where I conduct interviews with actors and directors and what it meant to invest their Black British identity into their work and curriculum.”
This focus was important to Kaley because it centered on Kaley’s own identity as a Black actress. After submitting her project, she learned she was selected as an awardee. Three months of work prepped Kaley for the London trip, including Zoom interviews to connect with the people she wanted to interview when she arrived in London.
“Myself and two other students went on the London trip,” said Kaley. “While there I interviewed different people, one of those being Dr. Tia-Monque Uzor, a professor at the University of London, as well as others.”
Kaley’s time in London taught her how to converse with artists of a higher achievement level and it helped her enhance her interview abilities.
“I learned what valuable questions to ask,” said Kaley. “I also polled students before my trip to collect questions they wanted to ask artists and directors. I brought those questions with me to London and had a chance to ask questions from my peers.”
Kaley’s hopes for the future are to continue helping other people through her lessons and adventures.
Her different encounters at UCCS have a center, and that center is often theatre – where her passions lie.
“Everything I do seems to connect me back to theatre, whether it’s through my job or a board that I’m serving on,” said Kaley.
Her time with UCCS and at the Ent Center for the Arts has opened her eyes to new avenues and new worlds. Kaley looks forward to further building her relationships and elevating her experiences along the way.