Damacia Howard (B.I.S. '23)
Damacia Howard (B.I.S. ’23) was bitten early by the acting bug. With an associate degree already in hand, she came to Georgia State to earn a bachelor’s degree and explore opportunities in film and theatre. Below, she talks about her experience on campus and the advice she has for other students.
Interview by Jordan Ferguson
Tell me a little about yourself and how you got to Georgia State.
I was born and raised here in the Atlanta area, 30 minutes outside the city, in Union City. I’ve always loved acting and filmmaking. The art and process of creating a film or creative production, whether in front of a camera or on a stage, has always fascinated me. But the thing that has always intrigued me the most is acting. Growing up, I always knew that I was going to college. Specifically, I planned to go to school to study acting. I originally wanted to go up north for school, but because of COVID-19, I ended up staying home. After hearing a lot about Georgia State’s film program, what they were doing and how well their students benefited from what the school provided, I immediately fell in love with the university.
I’m really glad I could experience a few years there. I didn’t do a full four years because I already had my associate degree by the time I was 18. I went to Georgia State for about two and a half years and received my bachelor's degree in December 2023.
In the time you’ve been on campus, what activities have you been involved in?
I was heavily involved in Atlanta City Theatre [Georgia State’s resident theatre company] and did many shows there. The first show I did was “She Kills Monsters” in 2022, directed by Mary Emily Deal. I played Agnes, which was the lead role. After that, I played Cynthia in “Sweat” directed by Olubajo Sonubi. At the same time I was in “Sweat,” I was cast in the feature film “Rejuvenation,” executive produced by Tom Luse (B.S. ’74, M.S. ’81), that we did here at Georgia State. I played the role of Sonya. Then, in 2023, I was in another production by Olubajo Sonubi called “Bunmi & Babajide Much Ado in Lagos,” and I played Mags. Finally, this February, I will return to the theatre and play Everybody in the stage play “Everybody.”
What was it like working on “Rejuvenation” with artist-in-residence Tom Luse?
It was amazing. Of course, there is a little bit of pressure going into it, simply because many of us students were new to the world of not only acting but also filmmaking. But Tom was so welcoming and caring. He focused on making sure that we were not only comfortable but also able to produce the best movie we could. Susan G. Reid and Heath Franklin also worked on the film with us, and the three of them together really did their best to make sure that all of us were prepared to handle the 20-day shoot schedule. I am grateful for the three of them, and I’m grateful to have worked with such a talented cast and crew who genuinely wanted to do their best. It made everything easier.
How has Georgia State helped you prepare for your future in the entertainment industry?
One of the main things I’ve learned from Georgia State is how to handle uncertainty. I wasn’t aware of how many difficulties you could face putting on a production or making a film, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. In life, we do face challenges, but it’s not the challenges we face — it’s how we keep going and overcome them. It’s how we keep pushing on despite the challenges. I learned it from my peers, crewmates, and our directors and producers. I will carry those lessons for the rest of my life.
If you could sum up your experience at the university, what word would you use and why?
Thrilling, because every day was something new. And not just in the world of acting, but just being on campus in general. The campus is so full of life. It’s so fun and vivacious, and it’s also such a diverse campus. There were so many different things to partake in at every single moment of my time on campus, and I would say it was thrilling because I never knew what fun or awesome experience I was going to get to have each day, and I liked that.
What advice do you have for high school students considering attending Georgia State?
For me, I was unsure in the very beginning about which school I wanted to go to, but Georgia State was always tugging at my heart. So, I would tell someone, if you feel a tug at your heart, just go for it. Just take that leap of faith. I did, and my years at Georgia State have been some of the best years of my life. I’ve learned so much not only about myself but about my chosen career path. I think Georgia State has a lot to offer. It’s a wonderful university, and I think it deserves all the praise in the world for what it offers its students. I’m grateful to the school and to everyone involved.
