“Come feel something, learn a bit, and enjoy the community.”
I’m Julianne Johnston, and I am from Longmont, Colorado. I am a junior studying nonprofit management and acting/directing for musical theater with a minor in music. I’m super involved on campus, which has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience. I’m president of Alpha Psi Omega, student government secretary, and I teach theater at Reach Youth and Family Theater. In addition to that, I play trombone in the jazz band and sing in the Morningside choir. I’m currently directing a dark comedy called Ubu Anu for the one-act festival, which has been an exciting and challenging project.
When I came to Morningside, I originally wanted to be more involved with music. I wasn’t planning on doing as much with the theatre, but once I got involved, I knew this was the place for me. I’ve been lucky to have some amazing mentors here at Morningside, especially my theatre professor, Taylor Clemens. He’s helped me significantly throughout my journey and even helped me design my major to cater to exactly what I wanted to do. No matter what issue I am going through, whether it be theatre or life-related, he has always been there to help me.
When I need a break, I love hanging out in the Klinger Neal lobby. It’s a quiet, warm space where I can relax and recharge while still being productive. The lobby is surrounded by windows, making it the perfect spot to study while enjoying the scenery.
If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to new students, it’s to get involved early. College is the perfect time to explore new interests and make opportunities for yourself, even if you’re not sure where to start. Being involved at Morningside has helped me grow as a person. It never hurts to try something once, and if you don’t like it, you can always try something else.
Ultimately, college is about exploring your passions and pushing yourself to try new things. So, my advice is simple: don’t wait for others to give you the go-ahead—make the opportunity yourself.