Cooper creating social change through theatre
If all the world’s a stage, Sara Cooper ’16 knows her roll as she leaves Cornell College. This senior from Prairie Village, Kansas, is passionate about creating social change through theatre.
Cooper knew from a young age that she wanted to get involved in theatre, and she said Cornell College helped that dream become a reality. This theatre major’s biggest accomplishment was directing a show called “Boy Gets Girl” about stalking and sexual violence, during which she raised money for a nearby women’s shelter.
Cornell College and its professors were among some of the supporting cast members who helped Cooper take her next steps in life. She received a job offer at Creede Repertory Theatre in Colorado where she worked during her Cornell Fellowship. Without the Fellowship, she said she wouldn’t have the connections or confidence to take center stage in the professional world.
Q: What is your biggest academic accomplishment?
A: My biggest accomplish was directing the show “Boy Gets Girl” last year as part of the Student Theatre Council’s inaugural season. The show was about stalking and sexual violence, and it was the first student show to be put up in Cornell’s black box in ten years. It was highly successful and raised money for the Waypoint Women’s Shelter in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I gave a Student Symposium presentation on the play and how it related to my Theatre for Social Change degree.
Q: How did One Course At A Time impact your education?
A: It forced me, in the best way, out of my usual study habits. It never allowed me to procrastinate, and it gave me time to delve deeply into all the things I wanted to. It gave me the perfect balance of structure and flexibility and I never found myself getting bored. Rather, the Block Plan expanded my mind and gave me a much better work ethic.
Q: What do you most value about your Cornell education?
A: I value that at Cornell you are always able to ask for help from those around you, but also have the skills to perform innovative tasks independently and answer your own questions.
Q: Who was your Cornell mentor?
A: Janeve West has been my director and advisor for four years, and she is an endless inspiration to me. She has encouraged my work and has given me more opportunities than I thought were possible. She has been a friend and a collaborator and has gone above and beyond to help me achieve my goals.
Q: Is there someone else who has inspired you?
A: My mom, Diana, is my biggest inspiration. She has given me so much support and has never let me give up on my goals, ever since I discovered I wanted to do theatre when I was six.
Q: What activities you involved in at Cornell?
A: At Cornell I have served on the Student Theatre Council E-Board as both a Publicity Chair and as Production Manager. I’ve been the Costume Shop Student Manager for two years, and I’ve been a member of the Phi Lambda Xi sorority for three years, serving as a social chair and as vice president. I’ve also been a part of over 12 shows in the past four years. Without any one of these activities, my college career would have been much less successful, well-rounded or fun! All of them added to my career and social skills and gave me so much support and experience.
Q: What have been your most meaningful experiences beyond the classroom?
A: Being in my sorority, Phi Lambda Xi, has given me so much. I have a supportive group of women activists who I get to call my sisters, and I have a huge network of alumni who I get to correspond with. I love doing service events with my sisters and working with other Greek groups on events like Relay for Life and Greek Week. It’s been incredibly rewarding, especially because I never thought that Greek life would ever be for me. It’s just another example of why Cornell is special.
Q: Why did you choose Cornell?
A: I chose Cornell because the second I stepped on campus I knew it was the right environment and fit for me—the campus, the people, and the kind of work being done by the theatre department. It was the kind of place I knew I could flourish and grow.
Q: What would you tell a prospective about Cornell?
A: Cornell is what you make it—whether it be through your major or extracurriculars, you can forge your own family and create your own opportunities with the tools Cornell gives you. Take full advantage of everything Cornell offers and a day won’t go wasted.
Q: What was your favorite activity on campus?
A: Pet Therapy Day! I look forward to it every semester. The animals are so amazing and I love talking to their owners.
Q: Favorite study spot?
A: My favorite study spot was the gazebo behind President Brand’s house, which is now located behind Van Etten-Lacey House. It’s very peaceful, beautiful, and secluded.
Q: Which part of campus has special meaning for you?
A: Ink Pond has been very special to me. I have memories from every year of fantastic conversations with friends and feeling artistically inspired there. It’s my favorite place to go and draw.
