Who: Marcus Doshi, Design
School: Northwestern University
City: Evanston, Illinois

What advice would you give to someone who is in the process of applying to MFA programs?

Research, research, research, research. Research the program – what sort of courses and production opportunities are on offer? You want to make sure the program satisfies your interests. Research the faculty – who are they? Where do they work? You will be learning their technique and they will be your mentors – make sure you like and respect their work. Research the alumni – where do students from that program end up in their careers? This will be a good bellwether for your own path. Research the city where the school is – Is there a thriving and vibrant theatre scene? You will want to be exposed to as much theatre as possible.

Where on campus do you like to work?

Two places: My office is on the fifth floor and has a lovely view of campus. And in our newly constructed light lab in the Wirtz Center for Performing Arts.

What are your favorite things to do off-campus in your free time?

I am an avid cyclist and riding along the lakeshore is one of my favorite things to do. You can ride along the lake from near the Indiana border as far north as you like, with much of it on dedicated bike paths.

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

I have to be honest, winters are cold, so in many ways that is my least favorite, but in many ways it’s also my favorite; the campus is beautiful, there are a lot of productions going on, and everybody is happy to be hunkered down working on them.