Former USD Graduate and Now Professor Engages Communities to Use Their Voices Through Theatre

As an Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program graduate, Assistant Professor Jersten Seraile finds a particular appreciation of teaching at the institution where he polished his skills as an actor and educator.

“It’s amazing to be able to serve the university where I trained and to work alongside the folks who are mentors I admire and care about and can learn from,” says Seraile, who teaches Theatre of Diversity. “I’m passionate about this opportunity because it aligns with my values, who I want to be as a person and how I want to serve as an artist.”

Seraile, is one of fourteen new faculty members hired as part of the university’s collaborative new hiring strategy that focuses on bringing new faculty from various thematic areas to join the College of Arts and Sciences community. He was hired in the Borders and Social Justice cluster, and focuses his courses on engaging communities, especially underrepresented communities, and encourages them to use their voices through the theatre. His Theatre of Diversity course is chiefly discussion-based and covers applied theatre techniques used by teaching artists in artist engagement programs connected with regional theatre companies. Students learn from guest speakers involved with such programs and write a review of a local theatre production as a reflection on how to experience live theatre.

“The course gives them a foundation to form their own personal mission statement and to incorporate activism in their art. It’s very profound,” he says.

Seraile earned his undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from The Drama School at The New School in New York City, which instilled a strong foundation in social justice and meaningful performance. He considers alumni, including playwright Lorraine Hansberry and author James Baldwin, who frequently taught at The New School, as important influences.

“I admire artists who stood for something, and by standing for what they believed in, were walking into the unknown,” he says. “I try to impart to students how important it is to find something they believe in; to use their talents and gifts to be allies in their communities – not necessarily to be the heroes, but to serve and make friends.”

Seraile appreciates the possibilities provided by the cluster hire, including bringing theatre from Tijuana, Mexico to USD for artistic collaboration, as well as the inspiration of colleagues and students on an intimate level.

“What’s most fulfilling for me, as someone who has trained as an actor and pursued [acting] most of my life, is the moment in the classroom where the student gets it, and it’s an eye opener for them,” he says. “I love to see students step outside of their comfort zones and take risks in a sacred environment they may not have anywhere else.”