Ric Walker (MFA, 2014)
Why did you decide to go to graduate school?
Long story short: As a professional actor, I was making a living but I wasn’t making a killing. I got by for many years but I couldn’t get ahead. Teaching was another career I knew I loved that could provide more predictability. But, I knew I needed more training to make that passion a profession. I thought a second career as a college professor would provide the opportunity to continue my work and share what I have learned along the way with other generations.
Why did you choose to pursue your degree at Pitt?
I knew I wanted an MFA and I knew I wanted to teach on the college level. I found 3 programs that met my goals. An MFA in Performance Pedagogy was perfect for my mid-career shift. Though I am sure they were fine, the other two programs were in cities where I did not want to be. Plus, Pittsburgh is a wonderful city that I connected with right away. I was impressed by the Cathedral of Learning, the beauty of the city, and the way I was embraced by the theatre and improv communities. I was also charmed by the “Pittsburgh Salad”—a salad with French fries on top. What’s not to love!
How did the degree program help prepare you for your career?
I felt a great deal of confidence leaving Pitt and applying for jobs. I was able to gain experience working on the university level: plenty of classroom experience, the opportunity to create curriculum, I directed a sketch show, and mentored students ( I created the improv club, Ruckus). When a position opened at Columbia College Chicago teaching in the nation’s first BA in Comedy, I was ready for it. I had a long history with their partner theatre, The Second City. But my real competitive edge was my MFA in Performance Pedagogy. I had both a solid reputation around Chicago and the credentials for the role. It reminds me of ethic, “Be prepared for the moment that you get lucky.”
What is your current position and what does it involve?
I am currently an Assistant Professor at Columbia College Chicago. I teach in the Comedy Writing and Performance major, a specialty within the Theatre Department. We call it, “Comedy Cross-training.” We train students in writing and performance in a variety of media. I get to teach everything I love! I teach a combo platter of performance and writing—acting, sketch, standup, etc. I also get to direct and devise shows. One of my favorite aspects of the job is student mentorship. I love working with both current and former students punching up material and talking through next steps on projects or career moves.
Thoughts and/or advice for current graduate students?
Returning to school after so many years was a big adjustment. One of the biggest adjustments was taming my creative license. In my creative career rubrics don’t really exists. Guidelines, shifting goals, deadlines, sure. But school was actually easier than what I was used to. So a major adjustment I had to make was— Just follow the rubric. Well, follow the rubric but bend the assignment to my interest and curiosity. It is easy to feel like the daunting workload is just academic hazing. Being curious about all assignments and finding the path within them that piques your interest. Then, the daunting workload is converted into a series of new adventures.
Find the fun in the work!