Be grateful, collaborate, and audition for Latenite.

Name: Jane Walsh, Columbia College, Film and Media Studies major + Sociology concentration, born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota 

Claim to fame: Theater kid. And I make movies. 

Where are you going? I’m not. Why? Did you want to sit here? 

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2027:

1. We are all really, really lucky to be here. It’s kind of unfathomably fantastic that we get to spend four years at this school. You’re going to love it, and I promise the university didn’t pay me to say that. 

2. If your friend is rude to dining hall staff, you should softly let go of that friendship.

3. If you do work in the arts, collaborate with each other, constantly, and through all hours of the night. I arrived at CU thinking that I worked better alone, but I’ve since learned that this is totally untrue. 

“Back in my day…” an SSOL link wouldn’t send you to Vergil :( 

Favorite Columbia controversy: When so many people cheated on the FroSci final exam that they sent us an email describing how sad they were about it. I’d like to take this opportunity to say that I did NOT cheat on the FroSci final exam, and I’m super proud about that.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? The Literary History of Atrocity with Bruce Robbins. Topics in American Cinema: The Western with James Schamus. Inequality, Poverty, and Mobility with Thomas DiPrete. Origins and Meaning with Brian Greene. All fantastic courses, taught by really incredible and engaging people. 

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Hello future employers! A lot of people deflect this question for fear of professional repercussions. Of course, this is a valid concern – it’s important to behave appropriately in the digital sphere and to embody a mature public presence. However, I also believe that taboos surrounding the discussion of sex – something many of us have – can do a lot of actual harm. My personal philosophy is to keep my private life private when I’m in a workplace environment, but not to shy away from mature discussions, elsewhere and when it is appropriate, about this very normal part of life. This is all to say: I’d rather give up cheese than oral sex. Thank you for asking Bwog. 

Whom would you like to thank? My excellent public school teachers at Whittier Middle School and Washington High School, particularly Bryan Aukerman, Fred Reiner, and Karla Chiarello. The Columbia University Theatre family – particularly those in KCST, CUP, NOMADS, and Latenite – who are so, so important to me. The beloved cast, crew, and writing teams behind Antigone, Crowd Work, Maximum Feasible Participation, The Funeral, and Bear Bait. The professors and staff, especially everyone in the Columbia University financial aid office. The Pell Grant. And Barnard IMATS. 

One thing to do before graduating: Everyone should go to Memento Mori and try stand-up comedy at least once. Or audition for Latenite. 

Any regrets? Of course not.

Jane Walsh via Jane