Fourth in a weekly series of BJU senior profiles. Students were recommended by academic deans or department chairs.
Sylvia Lafferman has always wanted to pursue a career in theatre, but before starting college she wasn’t fully committed to the idea.
“I had my reservations because it’s said to not be a practical choice,” she said. But a trip to BJU from her home in Maryland with a few friends not only confirmed her desire to study theatre but also made her realize the value of studying it at BJU.
“(I was) intending just to have fun on a trip, but … I was shown the possibilities of what I could learn with people who love God,” she said. “I then knew I had to go to BJU to understand my passion in a Christian context.” Lafferman added, “Once I met the people in the department and saw the art that they could make, I didn’t need to make a decision (between theatre and another major) because I knew that God was leading me to do theatre at BJU.”
Pursuing Her Career at BJU
As a freshman, Lafferman was afraid of the challenges and didn’t know the true meaning of hard work. Her coursework brought many challenges, some of which she failed. “I have learned to fail during my time at BJU,” she said. “I have failed tests, quizzes, projects, relationships and almost my sophomore platform (to be an official theatre major).”
But Lafferman has grown through those challenges. “From all of these failures, I have learned that sometimes you have to royally mess up in order to learn what God has in store for you,” she said. “Failing is not fun. It’s usually really embarrassing, but it has motivated me to be the hardworking individual that I am today.”
Even though the basic requirements of her major were demanding, Lafferman participated within the theatre department as much as she could, gaining valuable experience. “I usually worked on two shows a semester, which was not required, but I enjoy being involved.”
Since she developed her skills as an organized and work-oriented leader at BJU, she chose to be the stage manager of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure for her senior capstone project. Having stage managed several times before, she recognized her project would include the challenge of adapting to a new director and cast.
However, her greatest challenge was performing the play six weeks before it was scheduled because of the coronavirus. After the announcement that the rest of the semester would be online, she found out that the performance had to take place that evening. She said, “I mourned the loss of the six weeks that we still had left, and then I got to work contacting all of the people that we needed to make it happen that night. And we did it — beautifully.”
With her experience in theatre leadership, Lafferman plans to be a manager — of a building or stage — or a director in the future.
The Highlights of Theatre
Lafferman grew in her understanding of theatre through classes that she took, especially classes that emphasized the importance of community. “What I love about my art form is that you must be a part of a community to create,” she explained.
See Also: Leaf Institute Integrates Faith, Work and Art
She also sees theatre as a ministry, even beyond Christian theatre. “Most times that I’m discussing theatre I talk about Jesus which is really awesome,” she said. “And, there is some Christian theatre, but the majority is secular, so we often have the opportunity to connect with those who are unbelievers and share the good news of Christ!”
Four Years of Growth at BJU
Despite each setback, mistake and failure during her years at BJU, Lafferman persevered. As Erin Naler, head of the Department of Theatre, said, “She doesn’t allow her failures to define her, but uses them to teach her how to succeed.”
Reflecting on her growth, Lafferman said, “I would not recognize myself as a freshman. … I now know how to work, and … I’ve learned to pursue things that intimidate me because whether I fail or succeed, I’ve learned to take the odds.”
