Changing the Narrative: Q+A with Nate Augustin

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Nate Augustin

Class of 2027

BA in Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater and Media

How did you become interested in pursuing a BA in Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater and Media?

I’ve always had a deep passion for theater and storytelling. I love to write stories; I love to write people. Ultimately, I just have a story in my heart—a story much too passionate to contain. But it’s a story I struggle to tell, to find space for, because the entertainment industry has been so white-centric for decades, and my story does not always fit in their spaces. There are rules, expectations, and limitations imposed upon us all, but its adverse effects impact marginalized groups at a much worse rate. So, I struggle to tell my story in the way that feels right.

When I found this program at Pace, it wasn’t as though my pen had suddenly wielded a new, mystical power. But the fact that it exists at Pace means that I can exist in the world I want to exist in. I can exist in New York theater and not be what is expected of me; I can be less than gold; I can be more than product. I can be me, and my story can exist. The BA in Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater and Media makes me hopeful. At times, when I felt that I would never tell my story, it made me feel like I could. I know that if I can, the next person can, too.

Why did you choose to attend Pace?

I chose to attend Pace because this was the only place where I thought I would feel “right.” And at Pace, I knew I was going to be somewhere where I was not alone in that feeling. I could make the most of this school, especially as it’s in New York City, the heart of American theater.

The BA in Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theater makes me hopeful. At times when I felt that I would never tell my story, it made me feel like I could. I know that if I can, the next person can, too.

What have your experiences been like in this program? How have faculty or others been influential in your journey?

I have found this program to be very welcoming. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and a first-generation college student, I was kind of overwhelmed to begin college and in a new city, but the students, administrators, and faculty in this program did their best to make sure I felt at home. Seeing the work they put into it is not only inspiring, but actively beneficial.

Assistant Dean S. Brian Jones is continually providing us with opportunities to showcase and produce our works, whether through workshops or events, such as a recent one called The Future of the Humanities. In addition, both he and Colby Hopkins, the program coordinator, continuously advocate for students, and a recent example of that has been securing funding for scholarships as well as for student projects for several years to come. I believe that this is only the beginning and that my experience will continually benefit from their incredible work.

What kind of activities have you been engaged in as part of this program and how have they been meaningful to you?

The workshops the program has hosted have been great, and it’s always exciting to feel like we are making a difference. An example is a DEI workshop for Pace Performing Arts (Sands College), through which I was able to witness, in real time, what happens when people who had not previously shared their voices are given a space to do so. It was so inspiring for so many.

As part of the program, we’ve also had the privilege of seeing some professional works, such as a preview of the Broadway show, How to Dance in Ohio, and it was really enlightening to witness a cast of neurodivergent actors and characters living authentically. In addition, engaging in several discussions after the shows has opened me to so many perspectives, and having a space in which we can all share and explore these experiences, their importance, and how we can improve them in our storytelling gives me hope for the future of the arts.

What other activities and organizations are you involved with at Pace?

I am a peer tutor for writing services at the Pace Learning Commons.

What would you like to do upon graduation/what are your career goals?

I plan to continue to write and produce my plays.

What advice would you like to give to our current students?

2023 was a very monumental year of change for me. I had incredible successes and devastating failures, and yet I persevered. At the beginning of 2024, I insisted on continuing to overcome previous challenges. After all, I’ve conquered them already, and why would I settle for any less? That is to say, whatever you accomplished yesterday, know you can do twice as much today.