By: Angela Revels
Florida Southern junior Julia Homza has spent the past three years discovering who she is as both a performer and a person. A double major in Musical Theatre (BFA) and Communications: Advertising and Public Relations, Homza arrived on campus from Tinton Falls, New Jersey, unsure of exactly what her college theatre journey would look like but determined to make the most of it.
When she first stepped onto campus as a freshman, Homza wasn’t even in the major she plans to graduate with. She began as a BA Theatre Arts major but quickly realized she craved a more intensive, performance-focused path. “Within like a month of getting here, I realized I wanted to switch to musical theatre,” she said. She auditioned, was accepted, and immediately found herself immersed in the program.
Her first semester, she was cast as an understudy in Unnecessary Farce, directed by New York guest artist Lawrence Lesher. Though she never went on stage, the experience grounded her in the FSC theatre community and showed her the expectations of a professional-style rehearsal environment.
Her official FSC stage debut came during her sophomore year in Pippin, where she performed as one of the dancers. Most recently, she was part of the high-energy ensemble of Legally Blonde, juggling multiple roles, rapid quick-changes and a shorter-than-usual rehearsal schedule.
“Legally Blonde challenged me more than Pippin,” said Homza, explaining that the cast lost a week of rehearsal to fall break. “There were things I only rehearsed once or twice before doing them in the show.”
Homza’s path into theatre began long before FSC. She started as a dancer at age four, began singing almost as soon as she could talk, and didn’t step into theatre until she was ten but once she did, she was hooked. In high school, she played major roles, including Velma Kelly in Chicago, a demanding part that required intense stamina and vocal control. That role solidified her decision to pursue theatre professionally.
“It really brought back my love for theater and made me sure it’s what I wanted to do,” said Homza.
But coming from being “the top” in high school to a freshman surrounded by other talented performers was an adjustment.
“I don’t think I felt at the bottom of the totem pole, but I definitely felt like I was not the most talented person anymore,” said Homza. “At my home school, I was. So to be bumped down was hard. But being surrounded by so many talented people has made me a better performer.”
She attributes much of her growth to FSC’s faculty, especially voice professors Dr. Christine Roll and Dr. Wesley Morgan. Morgan, who taught her during her first two years, became an important mentor.
“He is such an incredible performer and genuinely good person,” said Homza. “He cares about his students so much and has helped me grow as a singer and a person.”
Her most transformative experience so far was Pippin. “I felt so confident in what I was doing on stage,” Homza said. The production included fire effects, lifts and complex technical elements that made the show feel larger than life. “It felt like I was part of something bigger than myself.”
The biggest difference between high school and college productions, she explained, comes down to the schedule. FSC operates on an Equity-style model, mirroring professional expectations with limited rehearsal time and strict break requirements. In college, performers are expected to come in knowing their music, lines and blocking quickly. That shift pushed her to become more disciplined in her preparation: “Now, I spend a lot more time with my script before rehearsals even start.”
Beyond developing her artistic skills, theatre has shaped her personally. Homza says the program has made her more empathetic, more mature, and more confident.
“When you play so many different roles, you’re constantly stepping into someone else’s shoes,” Homza said. “It helps you understand the people around you more.”
As she reflects on her journey, she often thinks about her younger self. “I think she would be really proud of how far I’ve come,” said Homza. “Every time I want to doubt what I’m doing, I think about how badly she wanted it. And I still want it just as much.”
Her advice for high-school performers entering college theatre: stay humble. “There’s a lot more that goes into casting than just talent,” Homza said. “Your time will come. If something wasn’t meant for you, what’s meant for you won’t pass you by.”
Looking ahead, Homza plans to graduate in spring 2027, then return home to New Jersey, just outside New York City to audition and pursue theatre professionally. “I’m hoping to be working in a theatre in New York,” said Homza. With the growth she’s experienced at FSC, she feels ready to take that next step.