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<\/a>Support from an ArtsGala scholarship helps Andrea Gutierrez study musical theatre at Wright State.<\/p><\/div>\n
The scholarships proved to be an especially timely godsend when Gutierrez\u2019s father developed an acute subdural hematoma \u2014 a clot of blood that develops between the surface of the brain and the dura mater, the brain\u2019s tough outer covering \u2014 just weeks before she started classes in the fall of 2018. While he has since recovered, the condition kept her father out of work for nearly 18 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wasn\u2019t able to get unemployment during that time,\u201d she said. \u201cIf it weren\u2019t for scholarships, I wouldn\u2019t have been able to attend Wright State.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Gutierrez was accepted into both the acting and musical theatre programs, she decided to pursue the musical theatre track.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew this is where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life,\u201d she recalled. \u201cThe students are so talented, and the faculty is so kind and considerate of my financial limitations. After two-and-a-half years here, I can say with absolute confidence that I made the right decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Patrons of Wright State\u2019s musical theatre productions might recognize Gutierrez from her performances in \u201cIf\/Then\u201d and \u201cInto the Woods\u201d in the Herbst Theatre. She was also cast in \u201cMamma Mia,\u201d with performances scheduled to take place in the Festival Playhouse in spring 2020. A week before opening night, the production had to be canceled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
The ongoing pandemic has proven to be challenging for Gutierrez and her family. Her parents work in the restaurant and hotel industries, both of which have been severely impacted by the pandemic. Gutierrez struggled with remote learning during Fall Semester 2020, when she took all of her classes online while living at home with her parents.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really hard watching my class through a computer while my classmates interacted with each other,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Gutierrez especially missed taking dance classes in person, and she found it difficult to practice choreography at home, due to the lack of adequate space.<\/p>\n
Since returning to campus for Spring Semester, Gutierrez has rediscovered her passion and motivation for performing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing back here this semester has confirmed in my mind that this is where I need to be right now,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m really happy with where I am.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Gutierrez will miss performing at Wright State\u2019s annual ArtsGala<\/a> for the second year in a row. The annual gala raises $200,000 for student scholarships while showcasing the talents of Wright State\u2019s students in the fine and performing arts. While the pandemic has once again thwarted plans for an in-person event, a variety of fundraising initiatives have been implemented to generate money for student scholarships.<\/p>\n To encourage contributions to the ArtsGala Scholarship Fund, the College of Liberal Arts has partnered with Global Love Dayton to create a limited-edition snow globe featuring some of the most iconic buildings and landmarks on Wright State\u2019s campus including Alumni Tower, the \u201cTurning Points\u201d sculpture, the Wright State Nutter Center, the Boonshoft School of Medicine and the Creative Arts Center, where ArtsGala takes place. The university\u2019s athletic mascot, Rowdy Raider, is also prominently showcased in the snow globe.<\/p>\n Only 250 snow globes will be available for purchase with proceeds going directly to the ArtsGala Scholarship Fund. Snow globes are $125 each and can be pre-ordered online at wright.edu\/snowglobes<\/a>.<\/p>\n An online silent auction<\/a> will take place from April 14 to 20, featuring student artwork and dining packages from local restaurants. Gifts to the ArtsGala Scholarship Fund can be made online at wright.edu\/artsgala<\/a>.<\/p>\n As an ArtsGala scholarship recipient, Gutierrez is grateful for all of the support that ArtsGala patrons have provided over the years. She says that helping to finance someone\u2019s education is \u201cone of the most beautiful and selfless things you can do.\u201d<\/p>\n Gutierrez hopes that ArtsGala can resume in 2022, when she will be a senior at Wright State. \u201cHaving that night again will be tremendous,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ll be able to show our donors what we\u2019ve been working on all year and thank them for the opportunities they have given us.\u201d<\/p>\n After graduating from Wright State, Gutierrez plans to move to New York City. \u201cI love the city, and I want to have that experience as a working actress,\u201d she said. \u201cI think my training at Wright State has been preparing me very well.\u201d<\/p>\n Gutierrez\u2019s dreams go above and beyond performing on stage. She would like to open her own theatre organization one day for children and adults from low-income and underrepresented populations. And she hopes to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology at some point, so she can utilize both theatre and psychology in rehabilitation programs for people who are incarcerated.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to use theatre as a tool to help people remember their worthiness and humanity,\u201d she said. \u201cI don\u2019t want people to hurt. I\u2019m just motivated to help as many people as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n Gutierrez is a firm believer in the power of theatre to bring people together and celebrate the contributions of all of humanity.<\/p>\n \u201cThe arts, in general, are really striving to have more diversity in the stories that they share and the people on their stages,\u201d she said. \u201cI truly believe that storytelling has the power to change the world. Theatre can be a window into stories that haven\u2019t been told.\u201d<\/p>\n Wherever life\u2019s journey takes her, one thing is for certain: Gutierrez will always be thankful for the opportunity to earn a college degree and for the donors and scholarships that helped make it possible.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I told my high school self about where I am now, I wouldn\u2019t believe it,\u201d she said. \u201cAttending college seemed like a faraway dream, and the fact that I am here now blows my mind. I am forever grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As an ArtsGala scholarship recipient, Andrea Gutierrez is grateful for all of the support that ArtsGala patrons have provided over the years. Continue reading