“I’m from Petaluma, California, a chicken and cow town,” where Maryanne Boaz says she grew up surrounded by music. For this senior Musical Theatre major at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts, creativity has always been a part of life. “My dad plays upright bass, my mom played vibraphone, my older sister is a singer-songwriter. There was such a rooted feeling in me from a very young age that I knew that I wanted to be in the arts.”

Boaz’s journey to Roosevelt began during the highly competitive college application process for musical theater. She recalled finding Roosevelt early on: “It was the one school that always stood out to me,” she said. “When I had my in-person audition for the program, they gave me notes in the moment. I was able to work with them even in an audition setting. It really just showed me how much Roosevelt is a place for growth.”

Boaz quickly found that support wasn’t limited to her audition. “The way [our professors] genuinely care about each of the artists, there's so much thoughtfulness, I always knew that I was cared for, and I always knew that my teachers were rooting for me.” Faculty like Barbara Zahora, Elise Kauzlaric and Nick Sula, she said, “have guided me in separate ways. I'm so grateful to have had support in those three different elements.” Of her time working with Boaz, Professor Kauzlaric says, “Maryanne has forged her own path at Roosevelt and created endless learning opportunities for herself and her peers. She knows what she wants to accomplish and goes after it. She has developed in artistry and leadership during her time at RU and we cannot wait to see what she does next!” 

In her sophomore year, Boaz began exploring writing and directing through a workshop production of Who We Are, a musical she created with her sister. “I kind of look back and laugh at myself… to just start directing a show without knowing I was directing it.” But that project set her on a path: “From that experience, that has launched me into a whole new path of writing and directing.”

Since then, Boaz has written and produced three more original works: Jenny, A New Musical, which was later featured in the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival; Simon Says, her first play; and Sequential Chaos, currently in development.

Her time as a Herczeg Scholar added another dimension. The Joan Deutsch Herczeg Scholars Program prepares students of all gender identities to support women in leadership and advance gender equity through mentorship, experiential learning and professional networking beyond Roosevelt University. Nominated by Professor Zahora, Boaz joined the program in her senior year. “Once I started doing the research, I instantly knew this is the place for me. These are the people I want to surround myself with.” She was paired with mentor Alexa Smith, an alumna working at New York’s Public Theater. “She has just given me so much light and has really changed my perspective,” Boaz said. “From her guidance, I've been able to entrust my voice a little bit stronger.”

As she looks to the future, Boaz hopes to continue creating purposeful work. “My main dream is just to stick to my core artistry, which is leaning into the beauty of discomfort,” she said. “Art is meant to start conversations, to bring people together through that discomfort.”

Asked what she’d say to a student considering Roosevelt, Boaz didn’t hesitate: “What makes Roosevelt great is the connection with the city and the people. There’s such a desire to give to the students, which you don’t get everywhere.”