Lights, cameras…communication

Written by: Madelyn Moore

Purdue senior Elli Jones says her double majors in interdisciplinary performance and mass media communication may have more things in common than most people might think. 

“I fully believe that theater and dance absolutely have its purpose in journalism and a creative field, like being a reporter or multimedia journalist,” Jones said, “and I think theater is a great way to be able to play a character while still being true to yourself.”

Jones explained the importance of diversity in both of her fields, saying that being excellent at ballet would have no significance if one did not know modern technique. 

“I think it’s also important in journalism to dip your toes in a bunch of different aspects, because that will make you better at what your concentration is,” Jones said. 

Jones is president of the Contact Improvisation Club at Purdue, a position that inadvertently aided her in cultivating her time management skills. 

“We just recently had a contact improv gathering, which includes a bunch of other schools from the Midwest coming here,” Jones shared. “I had to plan at least two months ahead. It’s definitely helped in learning how to manage my time better and making sure all of my work gets done on time.”

Jones has found the variation of classes her majors provide to be enjoyable and important to the preparation for her career.