Characters of Creativity
Melissa Noonan // September 29, 2011
When I was in high school contemplating what to study in university, I remember my guidance councilor asking me if I wanted to do a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science.
“Theatre,” I said with absolute certainty.
“I think it would be worth your while to look into public relations,” he replied.
I had no idea what this mysterious “public relations” was, nor did I care. I auditioned for the acting program at Dalhousie, regardless.
Seven years and one theatre degree later, I decided to take my guidance councilor’s advice. I found myself in Barbara Emodi’s Foundations of Public Relations class, where I was finally taught the meaning of public relations. However, in those seven years, much of what I learned about theatre, art, and myself has informed my choices in the Communications program.
This anecdote may seem common, but it illustrates that we all come from different backgrounds. Our experiences inform how we look at PR theory, case studies discussed in the classroom, and how we approach problems we face during our co-op terms.
This section of Symmetry is your opportunity to channel other talents you may have in the arts. Many of us chose communications to channel our creative energy into a more concrete (and hopefully, decently paying) career. This is a space for you to go back to your roots and communicate with the Mount community who you really are through a poem, a short story, photography, drawing, or other composition.
Remember, it doesn’t have to have anything to do with Public Relations, and as Constantin Stanislavski said, “Love the art in you, not you in the art.” Show us the art inside you so others can experience, be challenged, and inspired by your creativity.
