Michelle Blas is an assistant professor and director of theater at the University of Guam.
Blas allows her students to call her by her first name. She believes this allows her to establish a sense of rapport with her students, which fosters collaboration.
“You become like a family with the people you work with,” Blas said.
Blas has always been a student of theater. She majored in it as an undergraduate at UOG.
Blas then went on to graduate school at the University of Houston and pursued and finished a degree in acting and directing.
“I always knew I wanted to do theater,” Blas said.
Blas realized her love for teaching in 2005 when she served as an ESL instructor for the English department at UOG.
“It gave me the confidence to pursue a career in teaching theater,” Blas said.
She then worked her way up from being hired as an adjunct instructor for theater back in 2009 to her current position as an assistant professor and theater director. As theater director, she is responsible in assisting in the production of four plays a year.
Over the past five years, she has directed more than 15 plays. These have included “The Vagina Monologues,” “The Tempest,” and most recently “Election Day.”
Blas’s love for teaching also comes from working with her students.
“Students are the reason I get up every day,” Blas said.
Whether it is conveying a smile or providing an ear to listen, she wants to add some sort of value into students’ lives no matter how “small or insignificant” that may be.
Blas encourages students to consider a major in the arts. Having been through the same situation, she understands that there are many obstacles that come with majoring in the fine arts.
However, she expresses regardless of pressures from parents, society, or finances, ultimately the choices comes down to whether or not one is willing to put out the effort to follow their passion.
Blas urges all students to engage in some way. Even if they are unable to take art classes, if they have some interest, she wants students to support the arts by attending any performances or art shows around UOG.