College Spotlight on Monica Herrera

For Monica Lynne Herrera, dreams of a career in musical theater are becoming reality—without even leaving South Florida.

Herrera, 20, is a theatre major in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, where expanding programs, new faculty, facilities, and partnerships are fast transforming the school into a major center for the arts.

This fall, Herrera was on stage for Opening Night, the inaugural production at the university's 250-seat Performance Theatre, part of the new Performing and Visual Arts Wing of the University Center that opened in October at the heart of NSU's main campus in Fort Lauderdale.

In February, Herrera will also perform in the winter musical, Baby. And if acting, singing, and dancing aren’t enough, next semester she plans to take a course in directing for the stage. Clearly, NSU is moving Herrera closer to realizing her dreams. “It was the right choice,” she said of her decision to join the university's growing performing and visual arts programs.

Students in the Performing and Visual Arts Division's four majors—art, dance, music, and theatre—can take advantage of vital partnerships with professional organizations as NSU works to create a university-based foundation for a homegrown arts community producing artists, performers, and future patrons and supporters.

Public participation in the arts extends from this strong foundation, which at heart supports the university's primary goal—inspiring students like theatre major Monica Lynne Herrera to explore and excel.

“We have a lot of support for the arts from the school. That was really influential in me coming to NSU,” said Herrera about her experience so far in the university. “They’re excited that we’re here. And that makes me excited to be here.”