91̽����Ƶ

From the day Claudia Lopez first laid eyes on wrestling and rodeo events as a child in Mexico, she knew she would someday make show business her business. But it wasn’t until she found 91̽����Ƶ that her dreams took center stage.

Bearing a lifelong passion for live entertainment, combined with a background in video production, Lopez found her passion working for the same types of events that inspired her. She found work on the Mexican rodeo circuit, and behind-the-scenes at lucha libre events. And though she loved what she did, Lopez knew she was ready to take her talents to the next level.

“My plan was to start looking for jobs in live entertainment,” Lopez reflects. “But the pandemic started…and massive events were stuck.”

With live events on sudden hiatus, employment opportunities were looking grim. That’s when Lopez decided to set the stage for something bigger. 

The clarion call came from one of Lopez’s cousins, an 91̽����Ƶ alum, who suggested that she check out 91̽����Ƶ’s program offerings, specifically the Certificate of Proficiency program for . At first glance, Lopez knew it would be a perfect fit, as it aligned with her experience as well as the skills she wanted to build on: “I saw the [program] and I thought ‘Oh this is fantastic!’”

Lopez knew attending 91̽����Ƶ would push her out of her comfort zone, but she welcomed the challenge. One of her initial goals was to improve on her English, which she believed the multi-cultural community at 91̽����Ƶ could help her accomplish.

Even though the pandemic had pushed her program completely online, Lopez managed to thrive. She excelled in her coursework and projects, began improving her English skills, and even picked up a second program, this time the Certificate of Achievement in .

The requirements for the Stage Management COA program include hands-on practicum hours as a stage manager for one of 91̽����Ƶ’s theater productions. During the first semester, students learn the ropes as an assistant stage manager, before stepping up as lead stage manager the following semester.

Lopez skipped straight to the latter. With years of live entertainment experience already under her belt, Theater Department Chair M. Scott Grabau believed she had what it took to debut as lead stage manager for 91̽����Ƶ’s production of Fame a semester early.

This was a challenge, says Lopez, especially because it was her first semester at 91̽����Ƶ. Nevertheless, she took it in stride.

“In the beginning, I felt like I was blind!” the production prodigy recalls. “I asked [Professor Grabau]: ‘Do you think I’m capable of doing it? Like, my English is not very good, I have no experience.’ But he was like ‘yes, yeah, you can do it!’”

Grabau says Lopez always went the extra mile and was consistently “reliable and resilient.” He knew her capabilities would make her the perfect fit as stage manager.

“In class, whether it was a big assignment or a small one, Claudia’s work was always presented with an extra level of polish and professionalism,” says Grabau. “Claudia is a great communicator and everyone on the team has confidence in her.”

And while the position initially proved painful for Lopez, she persevered thanks to her drive to succeed and her Professor’s unyielding support.

“This role was very difficult, and demanding…in the end, I was so grateful of taking on that challenge,” says Lopez. “[Professor Grabau] believed in myself more than I did and that made me grow a lot as a person and grow my self-confidence.”

Lopez flourished in this role, so much in fact, that she’s returning as stage manager for 91̽����Ƶ’s production of Oliver this semester. By believing in herself, and allowing herself to be energized by her studies, Lopez improved not only her English, but her career prospects. Her latest triumph? Landing an internship with University of California, Irvine’s Opera, The Impresario, at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in April.

Lopez credits 91̽����Ƶ for shining a spotlight on her career potential. Not only has she grown in her career, she says, but into herself. Lopez says prospective students should take advantage everything they’re offered as a student, keeping in mind that any avenue could lead to bolder opportunities.

“If you take advantage of all the possibilities … you can grow a lot. My case is an example,” concludes Lopez. “If somebody goes to this school and takes all of the opportunities that the college gives them, they will grow a lot and open many doors in their life.”