Class of 2025: Bryanna Batts turns an interdisciplinary education into a global stage
Her studies in theatre, public relations, and sales helped her land roles that stretch from campus productions to “Wicked” in Singapore.
Name: Bryanna Batts
College: College of Architecture, Arts, and Design
Majors and minor: Theatre arts and public relations with a minor in professional sales
Hometown: Virginia Beach
Plans after graduation: Batts is currently applying to jobs in New York and would love to move there by the fall: her eyes are on Broadway. She is also interested in taking another professional acting engagement or pursuing graduate school.
Favorite Hokie memory: “I love going to football games with my friends, and my favorite part is ‘Enter Sandman.’ Seeing the Corps of Cadets also means a lot to me because both of my parents served in the military.”
Following her calling
Batts chose theatre because it gives her an outlet to express herself and an opportunity to create interpersonal connections.
“I love theatre because it brings out the little girl in me: I just get to play,” Batts said. “It has always felt like a calling to me.”
During her time at Virginia Tech, Batts performed in numerous School of Performing Arts productions, such as “POTUS” and “Eurydice.” Behind the scenes, she’s worked as a gallery attendant, a box office assistant, and an usher at the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech.
“I learn more about myself with every character that I play,” Batts said. “It also gives me a space to lead with kindness and empathy. Also, working [at the Center for the Arts] gives me opportunities to experience different shows, cultures, and communities.”
More recently, Batts performed as Elphaba in “Wicked” at Universal Studios Singapore.
Experiential learning sets the stage
On Nov. 22, 2024, the day that “Wicked” opened in theatres, Batts received a text from a friend in the industry, relaying a message from a casting director. He asked specifically for Batts, inviting her to perform as Elphaba in “Wicked” at Universal Studios Singapore. A week and a half later, she was on a plane headed across the globe.
“I got to perform some things from the show and then also from the movie, so we were given special scripts,” Batts said. “I also got to perform at private events. It was brilliant and fun, and it really opened my eyes to the fact that this is kind of what I do at home.”
In her theatre classes in Blacksburg, Batts learned about methods of acting, such as the Uta Hagen and Stanislavski methods, which help actors emotionally connect to their characters. Overseas, she used these foundational techniques to step into her character as Elphaba.
“I needed to be open and that's what we learn in classes,” Batts said. “You need to be a sponge to everything around you, everything that the character is going through. And you have to do it well because these people need to believe that it's you.”
As a self-proclaimed Broadway fanatic, she recognized how important it was to bring Elphaba to life every day.
It was about “holding the integrity for ‘Wicked’ because ‘Wicked’ is huge,” Batts said. “It's not just the movie; it's actually the Broadway show.”
An interdisciplinary approach to performance
Virginia Tech encourages interdisciplinary approaches to education and real-world experience. Whether engaging in role play scenarios in sales classes or applying business practices to her acting pursuits, Batts found many opportunities to merge her educational paths together.
“The majority of my classes are hands-on,” Batts said. “With sales, it’s performance. It’s emotional and intentional. It has to be hands-on. You can't do sales without it. For theatre, you also need to know how to sell yourself.”
Although she wants to perform on stage for the rest of her life, her passion for the business side of theatre fuels another future goal: becoming an entertainment lawyer. The same empathy that allows her to connect with her audience also drives her commitment to support other performers.
Batts credits mentors and professors at Virginia Tech for their contributions to her growth as a well-rounded student and professional. The support she has received in her theatre arts, public relations, and sales programs encourages her to trust herself, even if she is scared.
Brian Thorsett, associate professor of voice, has been particularly impactful in guiding Batts and helping her bring her acting skills and her singing experience together.
“Bryanna's been a pleasure to work with,” Thorsett said. “She really embodies the values of our studio: honesty, openness, and willingness. She brings her personal experience to her work, is open and receptive to both compliments and constructive criticism, and is always primed to experiment with her technique and interpretation.”
Batts encourages Hokies in performing arts and beyond to bring the same sense of openness and willingness to experiment to their own endeavors.
“My advice for others is to just go for what you want. Do it scared and always put God first,” Batts said. “Am I scared about the future? Yes, but I have experience, and I have the resources to be hands-on. I have people to help me.”
Written by Ashley Falat, a senior communications major
