Students from the University have taken to the stage to star in eight well-known plays, such as Dracula, Blood Wedding or Discovering Neverland. After many months of rehearsals, during which they have had to familiarize themselves with their characters, Esperanza Villa (ISSA '20) and Axel Extramiana (ISSA '20), students of ISSA - School of Management Assistants, can finally get into character, turn on the spotlights and start the show.

Esperanza Villa, a 2nd year student at Degree in Management Assistant, combines her position as a delegate of her class and ISSA with the performing arts. Although it is not always easy, as she studies, works and takes part in other projects, she assures that "it is a matter of organization. There are times when it is necessary to rehearse a lot and that requires effort and sacrifice, but with order it can be combined. Besides, it's more bearable, because it's enjoyable". Espe -as her friends and acquaintances call her- signed up for theater encouraged by a friend: "He was part of the company Eguzkilore Teatro and as he knew I wanted to try, he offered me to join". She explains that, although she doesn't have much experience, for her it is "a way to express herself, to let loose, to let off steam and, above all, to enjoy herself and have a good time".

Like any self-respecting actor, he is very clear about some guidelines to succeed on stage and delight the audience: "To feel comfortable and at ease, it is important to have internalized the character well. Also, financial aid has to be familiar with the stage and have rehearsed there, so as not to feel stage fright". After this experience, he does not hesitate to recommend that other students join a company. "The theater is not closed to anyone, it's something that everyone can participate in and enjoy," she says.

Axel Extramiana (ISSA '20) is also a 2nd year student at ISSA - School of Management Assistants, is part of the committee course as subdelegate of his class and ISSA and performs with the company Eguzkilore Teatro. Although he says that theater had always attracted his attention, he lacked the time and availability to join a company. It wasn't until last year when, upon arriving at the University, she decided to try her luck: "I found out that it was one of the Cultural Activities Office offered at campus, so I joined the company Matad al apuntador (Kill the prompter). Thanks to the University, I have discovered that it is my passion, the world I want to belong to, which fills me and makes me grow as a person".

Since then, he has never missed an opportunity to continue his training, because "when you get on stage, you stop being yourself; you abandon your gestures and memories and put yourself in someone else's shoes," he says. For Axel, the best feeling when you leave backstage is at the end of the show: "When you go up to greet the audience, with the spotlights pointed at you, and you hear nothing but your name surrounded by applause, you know you have made a conquest. A conquest over your fears, over yourself. You feel that you have surpassed yourself and that you are polishing yourself as a person".

In addition to considering that combining theater and university life is not only not difficult, but complementary and enriching, he does not hesitate to recommend it, specifically to those who study attendance for directing: "Control of body language, emotional intelligence, mastery of nerves when speaking in public, poise in the work environment and in the attention with people and, above all, the ability to improvise and act in unexpected situations are some values that theater brings you and that can enhance the work development of a student of ISSA".