Meet Melody Fritz
As part of Central’s Big Give Christmas Challenge, we’re speaking to students and alumni who have received Scholarships and Bursaries whilst studying at Central, to showcase the impact that these can have on them, and their future careers.
Melody Fritz is a first year student on our BA Stage Management and Technical Theatre course. She spoke with us about what led her to studying at Central, the impact that a Scholarship is having on her studies, and gave us her advice for those considering studying abroad.
What made you choose to study at Central?
It was my goal to study in London, and I researched many universities to find a course that would give me what I wanted out of a Stage Management degree. Central stood out to me for its outreach programs, and because the School was vocal about trying to create a more inclusive future. Being a mixed-race, queer, woman, this was key to me. Inclusivity and equity in theatre should simply be common sense, but we have a long way to go.
What has surprised you most about studying at Central?
The environment is invigorating. It’s been a delight to be surrounded by creatives my own age with a similar passion for theatre, who all bring their own experiences and personalities to the table. And it’s been great to have a range of teachers who have been happy to entertain questions and curiosity.
Electrical safety, of all things, has ended up being one of my favourite workshops because of the teacher! And learning lighting design, has made my understanding of putting systems together much deeper than what I had learnt from operating light boards in the past.
What does a typical working day look like for you at the moment?
As a new student, I have yet to fully get into the thick of it, but we’re currently working on our Fantasy Collaborators project. I’m working alongside students from various courses to create an installation around campus. For the next 4 weeks, we’ll be having meetings to help us with the project, as well as more stage management workshops. We typically have a group meeting scheduled, either before or after classes, where myself and the other stage managers do our part by helping to guide the meetings and organise the process with our creative course peers.
You’ve received a Scholarship to study on your course, what impact has this had on you?
My scholarship has taken the weight off my shoulders. Instead of having to fret about the rent, about closely monitoring food, and unexpected costs like doing the laundry, acquiring a space heater, or needing to travel for parts of my course, I can trust that I am safe. School is enough stress without having money questions in the back of my mind - can I afford this? Can I make it to that gallery we’re being sent to? Can I buy that equipment for the workshop? My scholarship has given me security.
What would you say to those thinking of donating funds for Scholarships or Bursaries for Central’s students?
Helping to fund students at Central is an investment not only into the future of theatre, but all the communities and people we may touch someday. Every individual has so much to give the world and a great passion that has brought them here.
What do you hope your training will give you?
My training will hopefully arm me with all the tools I’ll need to be a successful practitioner in the future. Not only have I already gained so much practical knowledge since starting at Central, but I’ve grown so much from being exposed to the arts around the city, and gaining connections with peers.
What advice would you have for those hoping to follow in your footsteps?
As a first-year international student, I’d say to anyone interested in studying abroad that it is absolutely worth the work behind it. Being in a brand-new place will force you to learn quickly, to use your resources and be responsible for yourself, it will push you out of your comfort zone, and then some. But you will adjust. You will succeed. And never be afraid to ask for help. At Central, you will have a support system and there is always an answer to be found somewhere.
The best piece of advice I could give is to be brave in all things. When you’re afraid, make the choice anyway. Be brave to go after what you want, be brave to ask for help, be brave to sign up for that class, or talk to that person, be brave to protect yourself. Lay out what you want out of your education, and what you stand to gain from coming abroad vs. staying home, or choosing one school over another.
And finally, what are you hoping to do after the course?
I plan to move around and gain experience in as many areas of theatre as I can, and the following years at Central will help me figure out my path forward.
Stage management is certainly the home base for my career, but I would also like to return to bringing theatre to kids, especially young people from underserved communities. I taught drama classes and directed plays for kids and young teens for years before coming to Central, and ran a series of peer-to-peer playwriting workshops, and I plan to return to that work as a professional. Whilst of course I would love to work on the West End or Broadway, my heart will always take me back to community theatres and theatre education.
Playwriting and directing are also interests of mine. Honestly, it’s hard to know where I’ll end up at this point. I know I love many areas of theatre, and whatever I can do in the theatre world will make me happy!
Central’s Big Give Christmas Challenge raises vital funds for Scholarships and Bursaries for our students, and this year will run from 30 November to 7 December 2021.
Find out more about our BA Stage Management and Technical Theatre course