By Noelle Sharp

For this episode of MAGNIFYING we spoke with Department of Theatre Associate Professor Head of the Actor Training Program, Chris DuVal. Our creative community here at the College of Fine Arts is diverse and wide spread. With the goal of gaining a deeper knowledge and awareness of the people within our community, we bring you MAGNIFYING, a series dedicated to showcasing the talent of our students, faculty, and staff.

Tell us about yourself: Name, where you are from, what you do and how you got into in your field of work
Originally from Los Angeles.  I’m an Associate Professor of Theatre and Head of the Actor Training Program.  My father and grandfather were both actors in Hollywood, so it was a bit in the family and I grew up with some though to being an actor.

What has surprised you the most in your life?
The power of compassion and understanding how the study of theatre is much more than simply a study of “acting” as entertainment, but rather how it is actually a compassionate study into what makes human being who they are, and how we are all connected.

What do you wish you had known/been told?
I wish I had known earlier what a joy it is to work with students, and how much there is to collectively learn through the process of teaching.