Josh Short ’08 earned a Theatre BFA with a concentration in acting. He is now the Artistic Director at The Wilbury Theatre Group in Providence, RI.

Q. How did your URI degree best prepare you for your career path?

A. My time at URI taught me the value of being able to adapt and the importance of having a well-rounded character. I learned to look outside myself and consider my contributions as part of the greater whole, where all students were encouraged to pitch in and do the work necessary to get the job done. The things I learned at URI and the connections I made there have proven invaluable to me time and time again. I’m grateful for the opportunities I had at URI, and I hope that our community recognizes the incredible contributions that URI alumni have made to advance and advocate for the arts.

In your opinion, what is the value of the arts both academically and in the community?

Performing arts are impossible without collaboration, and in a time of divisiveness I believe that those of us who are fortunate enough to have a background in the arts are able to find new ways to empathize and collaborate with others.

What advice would you give to current students or to young people thinking of pursuing a Fine Arts degree?

Try everything – don’t pigeonhole yourself and don’t allow others to pigeonhole you either. The most successful artists are the ones who are willing to risk failure by attempting the unknown, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there time and time again.