2021 Arts Award: Tiffany Brooks

by Katy Gilmore ‘24

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tiffany Brooks ‘21

Major: Psychology

Minors: Theatre and Marketing

Tell me a little bit about yourself!

I’m Tiff, I’m a senior, and I’m from Bristol, Rhode Island. I have a psychology bachelors of science major. I double minor in theatre and marketing. I got involved in the arts when I was super little. As soon as my mom found out I liked singing and dancing and all that stuff she put me into pageants. I got to act as a child in Spongebob and a few movies, and I did a lot of theatre. That’s what I really love because I love to act, sing, and dance, and theatre allows me to do that altogether. I did it all throughout highschool and then came to BC.

I think secretly deep down I would love to do theatre as a professional. However, that’s not very financially stable, and that’s something that’s very important to me. I wanted a place where I could pursue theatre on the side but not have it be my end all be all. That was one of the reasons I chose BC.

Throughout my time at BC I was in Chorale for a little bit, and I was in LAG. I did theatre all four years, and I am on one of the student boards (MT Wing). I am also the president of the council of majors and minors, and I was the Music, Arts, and Performance Senator for UGBC. I got to do like 8 or 9 shows during my time here. I’m super grateful for every single moment I’ve had in the BC Theatre Department, even though it’s not always been easy. I am very grateful for the people I’ve gotten to meet and the fact that I’ve been able to create such wonderful art with people that I am able to call some of my closest friends. It’s something that’s really special for me.

What was your first experience with the arts at BC? What was your most meaningful one?

My first one was definitely Chicago. I remember as a freshman I was crying during my first show. I was just so taken aback and grateful as we were doing our last bows. I got a chance to look around on the stage, and I thought, “Wow. We did this.” I made such great friends, and we were able to work together to create such a cool and wonderful piece of art. It was something that was really emotional for me. You’re never guaranteed the same exact cast in college, which was very different from highschool. It was new for me for each cast to be so individual. Granted, you’ll have a lot of the same people, but your cast will never be the same twice. That’s something that I really took to heart and kept with me throughout my four years.

For my most meaningful one: as Music, Arts, and Performance Senator I was able to help bring back Montserrat students getting tickets. Especially as a Montserrat student that was really important to me. The arts are fantastic, but they can tend to be expensive. Making sure that everyone has equitable access is important. 

Also, in the wake of all of the hate crimes that happened in Welch Hall my sophomore year I worked with Crystal Tiala and Luke Jorgensen to start the Critical Conversations series. That was really special for me because I was able to combine my passions for advocacy and the arts and work towards the same goal.

What influences your work? Or, what gets you excited to create?

I think it’s the people around me. I’m very motivated by those who I surround myself with. Being in a place like BC theatre, there are so many talented individuals. Two of the people I look up to the most are my best friends who graduated two years ago, Jessie and Elizabeth. Not only are they incredible people, but they’re also incredible performers. They’re so talented and so kind, and they really inspire me and push me to continue to make art.

I also create for the people who can’t.

I know there are people who would love to be able to perform on a stage and for one reason or another aren’t able to do that. So, that’s something that I keep with me. I also do it for people who don’t see themselves often on stage. For me, representation was a big issue growing up. I didn’t really have that, so I try to put myself in spaces that may ultimately give somebody the chance to see themself in me. 

Speaking of being inspired by others, do you have a mentor or inspiration in theatre?

Someone who I look up to a lot is Brittney Johnson who was the first black Glinda on Broadway. That’s a role that’s not typically portrayed by a person who’s not white. To see that was really special. I saw that during my sophomore year, and I’ll never forget it. She was even my background on my computer for weeks after that. It was just so cool to see somebody like that in that role because I would have loved to see that as a child. I would’ve known that I could do that too because it was someone who looks like me up there.

Closer to home, I’d have to say Jessie and Elizabeth. I first saw them at Chicago auditions, and I just thought, “Holy crap. They’re both so good.” We ended up becoming friends. People like them who love what they do and are super good at it and focused on making BC theatre a community are really inspiring. I’d definitely say they were my mentors.

Brooks performs at the BC 2020 First Year Academic Convocation

How has the pandemic impacted your ability to do theatre, and how have you worked around that?

That was definitely something I was so sad about. We got two shows cancelled last year and the musical cancelled this year. It’s ironic because theatre is something that’s supposed to bring you closer to people, in my opinion. In a time where we’re not supposed to be close to people, how in the world are we going to emulate and recreate that? It seems almost impossible.

I’m really grateful for BC theatre because they’ve been able to make it work with things like Zoom productions. I did one that was filmed like a movie in the fall when I did Twelfth Night. Now we’re doing a live production that is going to be livestreamed. We still have to stay six feet apart and wear masks, but we have things like clear masks and gloves to touch the props. 

As an actor, it was really hard, but also in general. I love being able to be close to people or just give someone a hug and that can’t really happen anymore. It’s hard also to connect with other actors without being close to them. It’s definitely been challenging but it’s helped me to grow as a person and an actor. I’ve been able to really take time and reflect on how I can express myself if I can’t really do that through others. 

Has your time with theatre at BC influenced your next steps after graduation at all?

I really want to try to stay involved with theatre. I was having sort of a quarter-life crisis today where I was thinking about how I’ve done theatre for twelve years and it’s ending. I definitely want to try and do community theatre or something like that in Boston. There’s so much of that, and it’s a good way to stay creative. Even if I don’t get a chance to do that, I’m so grateful for a lot of the skills I’ve learned in the performing arts. I think a lot of them are applicable to other disciplines like how to deal with difficult people, express yourself, present ideas, and connect with an audience emotionally. There are definitely skills that I’ll take with me into my next career, but I’m really hoping to actually stay involved with theatre. I think I will ultimately.

Do you have any advice for students who want to get more involved or are involved with the arts at BC?

Definitely challenge yourself (within reason— don’t push yourself to the breaking point). Take advantage of every opportunity that you’re offered. There are incredibly talented people on this campus, and being able to work with them is truly such an honor. Live in the moment, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, especially with the Theatre Department. Everyone’s really nice, and it’s not cutthroat. People won’t be stepping on your back to get a part or anything. I know it seems scary, but don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.

I like to say, “Work hard, play hard, love hard.”

Do the work and study your lines or whatever you have to do for your art. Play hard by having fun with it. Love hard by truly enjoying what you’re doing, and do it with the people you love and who support you the most. That’s what I think has really helped me get through the last four years.