Love of the performing arts is taking center stage for Philadelphia-native Tyler Hill at Shippensburg University.
As a new student in the fall of 2018, one of the first organizations Hill was drawn to was Act V, Ship’s student-run theatre group. After joining, Hill was cast in Act V’s rendition of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The accepting atmosphere in the performing arts at Shippensburg fueled him to find more ways to be a part of the campus community, on stage, and beyond.
Tyler then joined Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA), inspired by their mission of challenging students to discover more about their culture and their impact on the community, while providing students with experiences to develop and grow.
Through MSA, Hill joined Production for Progress, a club that runs musical productions as a donation for charity. Hill starred in their production of “Dreamgirls,” and didn’t stop there. Heritage Dance Company, another MSA performing arts club, held a recital in fall 2019 where Hill performed in “Dancing Through the Decades.”
“I started joining clubs as soon as I began school freshman year. The arts have been a love that I’ve had since I was a kid. I was bullied tremendously and used dancing and theatre as escapes,” Hill stated.
Ship offers a minor in theatre arts, but clearly, students have plenty of ways to express themselves beyond the classroom in student-led productions throughout the year.
“I went and asked around campus and found many clubs in the arts. Never be scared to explore campus, you never know what you might find. Even if you can’t find one you like, you can create one on your own,” Hill continued.
Hill hopes to get into the entertainment industry after he graduates. The communication/journalism major at Ship strengthens Hill’s hard skills, the performing arts develops soft skills and talent.
“Being a communication/journalism major and a theatre minor, I feel like I am able to do everything while still staying true to myself. The broadcast and television side of journalism has built up my courage and given me the opportunity to turn my dreams into a reality,” Hill reflected.
Hill suggested that putting yourself out there and getting involved has had some amazing outcomes. He is proud of his involvement and hopes that more students take the route he did.
Follow along with Tyler for the day on his takeover of Ship’s Instagram- @ShippensburgUniv
Read more stories from the Class of 2022.
