Graduate Soren Barker Shares His Passion for Theatre Education

Talented actor and theatre education student Soren Barker will speak at the Department of Theatre and Media Arts Convocation in April. Barker started at BYU as a theatre education major but was not confident in his decision. After his mission, Barker explored pursuing a humanities major with an emphasis in theatre and a theatre minor. It was during this time that Barker spent a semester teaching English in China, which he lists as his most memorable experience during his education. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my time in Nanjing, China,” Barker said. “Looking back on that experience, I can see that it was the major reason I ended up majoring in education.” When he returned from China, Barker switched his major back to theatre education and switched humanities to his minor. Barker participated in several theatrical opportunities at BYU including main stage shows, mask club shows, directing projects and acting scenes. He credits such experiences as a huge influence in his work as an actor, stage manager, assistant director and director. While at BYU, Barker had the opportunity to compete at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) on the national level in Washington, D.C. “It was obvious the acting training at BYU is just as good as, if not far superior to, the acting at any of the other participating colleges,” Barker said. An important highlight for Barker was receiving the special commendation for the VASTA Vocal Excellence Award at the 49th KCACTF. “It was recognition of months of work and collaboration,” he continued. “It was a tangible reward in a subjective and abstract field.” At the end of the day, all Barker really wants to do is teach. Whether it is high school, middle school or elementary, Barker plans to be teaching theatre as soon as he graduates. “It doesn’t matter to me what age my students are,” Barker said. “Perhaps I’ll end up teaching at the university level someday — who knows? The sky is the limit.” Q&A What did you want to be when you grew up? “An astronaut.” Where do you find inspiration? “I look it up in the dictionary right between ‘inspects’ and ‘inspirator.’” What was the hardest challenge you had to overcome at BYU? “My fear of answering self-reflective questions.” What is your favorite snack? “Dino Gummies.”