Outstanding Majors

IN HER OWN WORDS:Hannah Greene, outstanding Theatre & Film student of the Year, as Jane in the film production of Love Me. UAF Photo by Maya Salganek

Hannah Greene
2023-24 Student of the Year
Department of Theatre & Film

Where were you born and raised?
Anchorage, 91ĘÓƵ.

Why did you choose to study at UAF?
UAF was close enough to home, but far enough for me to have an adventure. When I started in the fall of 2021, I thought I was going to be an engineer, and I knew it was a good school to study at. Most importantly, the financial aid offered to me made it possible to afford a higher education.

When did you first decide to pursue a degree in FLPA/ Theatre Concentration?
When I was still an engineer, I took Carrie’s Acting I course just for the hell of it. But something weird started to happen. I was excited to wake up and go to acting class, and I longed to go and practice my scenes when sitting through a grueling lecture on triple integrals or while trying to find the velocity of a basketball on Mars. I never felt this passion when taking calculus and physics. So during the fall of 2022, I officially changed my major to Film and Performing Arts, knowing that I would be a happier human.

What first attracted you to theatre and film?
One of my brothers is seven years older than me, and at a young age, I thought everything he did was cool. I would go to his high school theater performances, and I instantly fell in love with the theatre. I remember sitting in the auditorium watching him and his friends improvise a musical about cats (no correlation to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats) and wishing that I was up on the stage. I started making plays in my bedroom with my friends, and the various puppets that I owned. Then, I would force my family to watch them. Everything changed when I stole my dad’s Flip camera (remember those!). I started making videos of me performing with puppets and singing completely improvised musicals. Performing was my hobby. It sparked a lot of joy in my life and made me the person I am today.

What experiences at UAF have contributed to your academic and artistic success?
Resurrecting Ground Squirrel Improv has significantly contributed to my artistic career. I have gotten to learn the delicacy of collaborating with others, how to plan a show, and have made some of the best of friends. Having the opportunity to be a production designer, prop designer, and actor in the spring of 2024 has pushed me to new creative heights. This semester was incredibly artistically rewarding.

Do you have any advice for new FLPA students?
Get involved! So many of my experiences within the program have been student-made. There is no use sitting on the sidelines watching and waiting to make something. This is the time to experiment. The things you do and the people you meet will stay with you for the rest of your life. Also, every single professor and faculty member wants you to succeed. Carrie, Maya, Professor Mendelowitz, Daniel, Kavelina, Alex, Stephanie, and By are all here to support you on your journey.

Please tell me about your most influential theatre or film projects while at UAF.
There is so many to choose from. Every mainstage production that I have been a part of have taught me something incredibly valuable. Being Jenny in The Shape of Things (Spring 23, directed by Rachel Blackwell) helped me realize my confidence onstage. Portraying Ashlee in Dance Nation (fall 23, directed by Daniel Ponickly) helped me realize the power I have as a performance artist. Love Me (spring 24, directed by Nolan Earnest) taught me to relax into a role. And most recently Something in the Living Room (spring 24, directed by Kavelina Torres) taught me to put in all of my effort, no matter the size of the part. I am so grateful for being able to perform with many talented people, and for everyone who continues to support me both on stage and off.

Please tell me about your experience with Student Drama Association, Ground Squirrel  Improv and/or Film Club.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love improv. I love it so much that before I was even a FLPA major, I revived the club and turned it into what it is today. I feel so incredibly grateful to have gotten to share improv with those who come to the club, and those who support our shows. Ground Squirrel Improv has become so much more than what I could have imagined. Each week, I get to be in the Green Room for hours, getting to share the magic of “Yes, And”. Shortly after we resurrected Ground Squirrel, I got to help do it again with the Student Drama Association. Thank you to Seamus, August, Charlie, Grady, Riley, Steven, and so many more for your dedication to the arts. I have loved getting to create art with all of you. I have not been a devout film club disciple, but I have been lucky enough to attend some meetings. I have always had a wonderful time playing movie related games and planning events like Thaw Out.
 

What are your plans for after graduation?
Luckily, I still have a year to figure everything out. As of right now, I plan on attending the URTA auditions to hypothetically attend graduate school. Ideally, I would love to end up in Chicago to attend the Second City Training Center. I hope to continue to spend each day creating and enjoying my life with great people.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to pursue my passion. And thank you to those who continue to inspire me :)