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Alumni Spotlight: Michael Morris

Name: Michael Morris

Michael Morris

Graduation Year: 2017

Degree(s) Received: BA in Dance, Minor in Theater

Why did you choose to attend WVU?

I chose to attend WVU because the school had just started a dance major and I wanted to be a part of the growth at WVU. It was a truly exciting time seeing how much the program changed and grew in my short 4 years there and how much it has grown since I graduated. The dance program is small enough that you know every person by name while feeling like a close knit family, but large enough to offer major opportunities, such as traveling to festivals, bringing in guest artists, and even studying abroad. It's a small program with large opportunities.

What is your profession now?

I am a Playlist Performer for Carnival Cruise Lines. We dance, sing, and act in various original production shows created specifically for Carnival. It is truly amazing the different things that I have experienced while with the company. How many people can say they get to bend lasers on stage for a show, shoot fire from your hand, or how about take a piece of string and light it on fire and make the heart of the ocean necklace from the movie Titanic appear?

What is your most interesting current/upcoming project?

My current contract I am on the Carnival Paradise out of Tampa, FL. The Paradise is an exciting ship as it is one of the few that goes to Havana Cuba. Because we go to Cuba, one of the shows we perform on the ship is called Amor Cubano. Amor Cubano is basically a Cuban version of West Side Story.

How do you feel WVU and the College of Creative Arts prepared you for your career?

Michael Morris

Honestly, the entire faculty and staff have a true passion for what they do. They aren't afraid to give you tough love if you need it and truly want the best for their students. WVU teaches you to be a well rounded person in the performing arts world by making you study all aspects of the theater world. You may be a dancer at heart like myself, but sometimes you might have to sew a piece of a costumes that is torn, or help move set pieces.