Rachel Blakes
By Victoria Williams
After traveling from Houston, Texas for a series of auditions in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, Rachel Blakes received a phone call that would change her life. She was offered admission into the Undergraduate Conservatory Program in The Theatre School at DePaul University. The Theatre School is one of America’s oldest and most respected theatre conservatories. Without hesitation, Rachel accepted her admission into the Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting program.
The Theatre School’s BFA degree in acting prepares actors to work on both stage and screen. It was a perfect fit for Rachel, who is passionate in both stage and screen acting. The program develops actors who are imaginative, skillful, expressive and vibrantly alive. It is rooted in the Chicago theatre tradition, emphasizing physicality, truth in action, communication, collaboration and spontaneity. Each year, The Theatre School produces more than 30 productions to give students opportunities to synthesize what they are learning in the classroom.
Actor
BFA Acting 2019
“I love acting because it allows me to tell stories that might otherwise never be told. I can represent myself and others boldly and truthfully. The Theatre School equipped me with the highest caliber of training. Studying under the best working professionals expanded my network and skill set immensely.”
“The Theatre School equipped me with the highest caliber of training. Studying under the best working professionals expanded my network and skill set immensely.”
Moving from Texas to The Windy City was no easy adjustment. Missing her family and warm weather, on-campus involvement was essential in helping Rachel find her home away from home.
After picking up a minor in African and Black Diaspora Studies, she learned of the Black Student Union. BSU is the largest Black student organization at DePaul and strives to foster community, empowerment, and unity on campus. Rachel was instantly motivated to add to this organization. After volunteering and serving on several committees, Rachel was elected Co-Director of Public Relations. She develops creative and engaging content for all BSU social media platforms and events. Rachel is also a member of the Tau Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the historic first Black sorority.
