Who: Deanna Fitzgerald
School: University of Arizona
City: Tucson, Arizona
What advice would you give to new students about how they can build relationships and form communities in a new environment?

Theater itself is innately suited for building relationships and forming communities. I would tell them to go to everything on the calendar when they get there: orientations, mixers…Even just walk into the theater or to the door of the shops and see what’s going on. You’ll probably get invited to lunch or dinner or something that they are going to that night. Theatre students are always busy, but they are usually warm, and all it takes is to step toward them and you will be embraced.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of working at the University of Arizona?

I enjoy watching passionate, dedicated students grow their art, find their voices and set off as confident theatre practitioners. There are few things I enjoy more than getting an email from an alum who is excited about their next project.

Where is your favorite place to eat lunch or grab coffee near campus?

We have this place called Time Market specializing in fresh, local and seasonal offerings. It is a uniquely local’s spot a block from our vibrant downtown and has a cafe, grocery and coffee bar. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the theatre center, but many of students and faculty ride their bikes, and there is also a street car that takes you there and into downtown.

What is your favorite time of year and what is your least favorite time of year?

November and December are the best times to be in Tucson. The heat from the summer has broken and the skies are filled with the bold enchanted colors of the southwest. The winters are beautiful here as well since it never gets very cold and you can do just about anything outside. Summer is the least favorite time because of the blazing heat, but luckily most people head off to summer things in cooler parts and return in time for the cooling monsoon rains.

Other fun things to do in Tucson:
• Pima Air and Space Museum
• St. Philips Farmer’s Market
• Old Tucson, Arizona movie studio