Reece Deidrick

Reece Deidrick is a theatre arts major from Boise, ID

Hometown: Boise, ID

High School: Boise High School

Year: Expected graduation: Spring 2028

Minor: Electrical engineering

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I received a merit scholarship for my grades and an honors scholarship for my participation in the Honors Program. The financial support has allowed me to move off campus with a group of my friends and to go home more often than I would have without the money, as I have to fly because I live so far away. The money from scholarships frees up money for flights to see my family.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I always wanted to be an actor when I was younger. As time went on, I stayed involved in theater but realized I like being backstage much better than being onstage. This led me to learn about stage lighting, which is something I fell in love with. My major is theatre arts with an emphasis in design and technology, so in a way I followed my childhood dream, but slightly different than I had imagined.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am a theatre arts major with an emphasis in design and technology, which I decided to study because I have always loved theater. For a long time, I thought there was no way for me to have a career in technical theater. However, the summer after senior year, I took a job at a local theater and learned that I could make money doing the things I love. That is what cemented my major. I also am getting a minor in electrical engineering, because the theater program does not have as in-depth of an education on electrical circuit components as the engineering department, and knowing about electronics is a great help when working with lighting in the theater.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I have found the campus atmosphere pleasantly surprising. I visited campus during the summer, so I had never seen the campus filled with students before I moved in at the beginning of freshman year. I have really enjoyed seeing so many different faces every day, and I enjoy knowing that we are all different people from different places, yet we are all trying for the same goal, to get an education.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
In the theater program, we form a kind of cohort with other people in our year. This means that we have a lot of classes with the same group of people, so I have been able to make a lot of friends because we can bond over the many classes we share.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
The main student organization I am involved in is the men's gymnastics team. It is actually one of the main reasons I came to NIU. It has been an amazing experience because it has not only allowed me to continue competing in the sport I have loved since I was little, but it has also led me to some of my best friends. It has also provided me with leadership experience, because I am now the team treasurer. The team is an incredible organization to be a part of.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The whole theater department has made me feel incredibly safe. Last year, I tore my ACL, and my teachers were all incredibly willing to adapt for me and make sure I was accommodated. They went above and beyond to make sure I received the same instruction as everyone else. This was especially important because a lot of theater work is hands on, and with only one functional leg, it was very hard to lift anything. The theater faculty all made sure there were things for me to do that would work around my injury.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
The main way the Honors Program has helped me is by providing me with an advisor who is not specific to my major. Though my major-specific advisor is helpful, the honors advisor helped me realize that things outside my major, like my electrical engineering minor, can be just as beneficial as what my major supplies.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
The thing I most enjoy is the community that the program creates. I met some of my best friends at the honors retreat. When I meet people in the program, I always find that I have lots to talk about with them. It just creates a really easy way to make new friends.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite instructors is Chris Kurszewski. He teaches most of the lighting-related classes in the theater department. He is always willing to teach me new things, and he has a massive bank of knowledge, so he can answer almost any question. I feel he is probably the person I have learned the most from at NIU.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I have benefited because I find that the routine is very helpful. Though not all classes require attendance, I feel that having the daily and weekly structure of going to class allows me to be productive and learn better than I do if I try to be self-paced. This is why I choose to only take in-person classes.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is the area with picnic benches by the Stevens Building. I love this area because it is so quiet, and it is in the shade, so during the summer it does not get too hot. I always do homework here until it turns too cold to be outside.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
I would tell them that they should find a personal reason they want to go to a certain school. It could be a sport, an academic program or anything else, but if you have something you are looking forward to at the school, then you will have a way to make yourself feel at home.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because it allows me to gain technical skills that will be helpful in my future career. I also think college is an amazing place to network and get experience in situations where the stakes are not as high as they are in the workforce.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I often use the strategy of going to the library to do homework. This allows me to relax when I’m at home and to concentrate when I’m studying. This frees up other time for me to spend with my friends and family, because I am more efficient and get my work done quickly when I do it in the library.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I stay informed through the honors newsletter and through Instagram. Both provide different types of events, so these resources give me a lot of different options.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
Usually, I like to watch movies and TV shows with my roommates. It allows me to be social while still relaxing. Right now, we are watching “Demon Slayer” and “Game of Thrones.” I also like to cook to relax, and I am working on doing meal prep to make my weeks run more smoothly.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I work at the Egyptian Theatre in downtown DeKalb. I do lighting for comedy, dance, singing and community shows there. I also like to crochet in my free time, and I am currently making a shirt.