Theatre and Film Leadership Forum

The Theatre and Film Leadership Forum is a dedicated group of theatre and film undergraduates who are invested in community building within the Department of Theatre and Film, welcoming new and prospective students, and developing their communication and leadership skills with a focus on career goals and personal growth.

This forum began as an initiative of the department's Student Support and Outreach office, spearheaded by the senior Outreach Assistant (Bella Smith in 2024-2025 and Abby McWethy in 2025-2026) and mentored by Academic Advisor Dina Canup.

In 2024-2025, the forum hosted special guest Mandy Kay Rodgers for a Q&A, a small group meeting, and a networking lunch meetup with graduating seniors plus a workshop on offstage communication featuring Aspen Brown of the University Health Center. Career Consultant Janieria Dupree also worked with the forum for an interview workshop. Other forum meetings discussed inclusion, best practices for organizing meetings, and conflict resolution.

For our Annual Awards Banquet and Drama Prom, members of the forum served as a vital organizing committee to assist department staff with planning the program, catering, performances, and decorations.

Several forum members participated in Prospective Student Tours, talking with individual prospective students, assisting with other departmental outreach initiatives such as high school matinee performances, and much more. 

For fall 2025, seven regular meetings are scheduled, one with special guest alumna Jesslyn Rollins, the CEO of BIOLYTE who was recently honored as one of UGA's 40 Under 40. Also in October, we'll have another alumni chat with Kat Reynolds, who will discuss her career path from theatre to corporate social responsibility. The forum will also host another Offstage Communication workshop, hold discussion panels on subjects such as self-advocacy and leadership/career goals, and participate in two prospective student days. We'll be talking with MFA student Cicely Osborne about Working with Producers and Being in Charge based on her time working for Nickelodeon and with Broadway producers and we'll collaborate with the Career Center on an Alumni Networking Night in November. This year we will be formalizing involvement in the forum through the Comprehensive Learner Record as well.

Students interested in applying for the forum should contact Dina.