Poppy Champlin ’82 received a degree in theatre with a concentration in acting. She now works as a producer, teacher, and comedian.

Q. How did your URI degree best prepare you for your career path?

A. It gave me a plethora of skills to use. Acting, musical comedy prowess, set design and painting, directing, costumes, writing — really everything I use. 

In your opinion, what is the value of the arts both academically and in the community?

Art, theatre, and comedy are all so valuable to the human condition to make sure we stay human. I like to say we comics put the humor in human.

What advice would you give to current students or to young people thinking of pursuing a Fine Arts degree?

Do it. The way it opens your mind to the spoken word and Shakespeare and all the greats that came before is priceless. And the fearlessness you experience when you put yourself on the stage is an immeasurable gift.