Today: Mar 28, 2024

SPOOF: Papazian to pursue acting career in California

Taylor Nicole Richards – News Writer

A few weeks ago, President Mary A. Papazian announced she was leaving Southern and going back to California to be closer to her family. She was offered a position as the new president of San Jose State University, and after much consideration, she informed Southern News that she has declined their offer and decided on a different path out on the west coast.

“I know that I would love being at San Jose State, but I can’t keep putting my true passion to the wayside. I’m still going to California, but I’m going there now to further pursue a career as an actor,” she said.

Papazian accomplished many things in her tenure here at Southern, including the opening of the new Buley Library addition, the new science building, and the Wintergreen garage. She was also a leader in advocating for student and faculty rights. Papazian left her mark on Southern’s campus, and is ready to leave the same mark in Hollywood very soon.

“I was always involved in the theatre department here and constantly advocating for the success of student actors because it always hit close to my heart,” said Papazian. “I made sure that the theatre department linked up with Elm Shakespeare company because I know what it’s like to be an actor at such an impressionable age and I think the opportunities the company will offer will greatly impact our own actors. I honestly wish I had that chance when I was in my early twenties.”

Elm Shakespeare Company has created a new agreement with Southern’s theatre department that will start next year. Southern actors will have the chance to perform to get Actor’s Equity points and Elm will have access to Southern’s resources for things like sets, costume and props.

Steven Breese, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said Papazian’s departure from Southern is bittersweet.

“I’m so sad to see her go since she was such a strong, positive force on this campus, but I’m also ecstatic that she’s listening to her heart and finally putting herself out there in the acting world. I’ve seen her in a few productions before she started here at Southern, and I can tell she’s got a passion deep inside her,” said Breese.

Papazian recently auditioned for a role on the soap opera General Hospital and is hopeful for what’s next. She’ll be heading back out to Hollywood in the next few weeks to follow up on her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at such an influential television series.

“I got callbacks for a role on my favorite soap opera that I’ve been watching my whole life. I feel like my life is finally coming together. I don’t want to give too much away, but I really think that I have a shot at it. All I’ll say is that my potential role is a very passionate woman,” said Papazian. “I wanted to start out by auditioning for characters that shared my sensibilities and were closer to my own personality.”

Tracy Tyree, Vice President for Student Affairs, admitted she isn’t so supportive of Papazian’s new venture. She thinks that this is a “bold move” and will regret her decision if things don’t work out in Hollywood, since the entertainment industry, in her opinion, is so fickle.

“I just hope she understands what she’s getting into,” said Tyree. “There’s no security in the acting world. I don’t get why she wants to throw everything away that she’s built here. I get it, sometimes you just need to shake up your life, but this is a little drastic.”

Papazian, however, has confidence in her herself. She said she’s been acting on the side her whole life in local productions and knows she can compete with big names in the industry.

“I have faith in my skills. I wouldn’t be leaving Southern and turning down another administrative opportunity at different big school if I wasn’t 99 percent sure that I would succeed,” said Papazian. “The next time you see me, it’ll be through a TV screen.”

Photo Credit: Tyler Korponai – Photo Editor

This article was apart of the Spoof April Fool’s Series. Story information and sources presented are fictional.

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