As the velvet curtains rise and the stage lights gloom golden, the spotlight shines on third-year City College student Grace Wilson, but not just as an actor. Wilson’s talent on stage is highlighted, yet, her love for people, building a community, and being a leader leaves the most lasting impact.
Wilson’s passions, acting and directing, are only a small part of her story. Wilson truly finds her passion in theater by being a role model for others and giving them a positive experience.
“I think that’s why I like directing because I love acting and getting to take a bow on stage,” Wilson said. “But it’s really cool to direct something and watch the actors I guided through this process, how happy they feel after they perform.”
Born in Santa Barbara, Wilson spent a decade in Texas before returning to her hometown for high school. She then graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 2021, where she chose to attend City College as a theater arts major, drawn in by City College’s renowned theater program.
After arriving at City College two years ago, Wilson quickly became a leader in the theater community. She is currently the Theatre Arts Community President which she founded in spring 2024. Wilson has also won several awards including the Sarah Evelyn Smith Monologue Competition (2023 and 2024), City College Theatre Arts Department Best Actor (2023), and the Outstanding Student of the Year Award (2024).
“She has what can’t be taught,” Luke Hamilton, Wilson’s boyfriend said.“She can really see the big picture and understand every element. She can see how the play starts and ends.”
Wilson’s ambitions extend beyond the stage. In the 2024 spring semester, Wilson created a theater club at City College which has since flourished. The club has around 60 members and has gone on several field trips to see plays in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, while having club meetings every week. The club also recently co-hosted the first fright fest in City College’s history.
Wilson’s reason for starting the club stems deeper than surface level. After her close friend Benjamin Schurmer died in 2023, Wilson wanted to prioritize creating a community for everyone at City College.
“After Benny died I realized how important it was to have community and be able to stick together with people,” Wilson explained. “ I wanted to be able to foster that community for everyone and create a really safe environment for people.”
Benjamin Schurmer was also a Theatre Arts major, a classmate of Wilson, and a friend of many. Schurmer fell off the buffs at an Isla Vista house last year.
Wilson was greatly affected by his death, which inspired her to not only strengthen her community but advocate for increased safety measures. Wilson created a petition for higher fencing along the Isla Vista bluffs, gathering over 11,000 signatures . Her dedication led to the implementation of several new laws, enhancing public safety in Isla Vista.
Wilson has had many inspirations for theater in her life but, as her journey in theater started at just six years old. She still vividly recalls the moment she knew that theater was meant for her.
“I got to meet a lot of really talented actors and directors when I was really little. So I feel like watching them work, I was like, oh, that’s what I want to do when I’m older.” Wilson said.
Wilson is still pursuing her dream of theater to the fullest. She is keeping her future in theater open, with ideas of moving to Los Angeles or New York. For now, she is enjoying every moment at City College, while continuing to build a community and learning from every performance she has.
She aspires to direct her own plays to audiences around the world.
“I would love to produce my own work. I’m also really passionate about film and I love Greta Gerwig,” Wilson explained. “That’s like a dream career to me.”
Wilson’s future in theater is far from over but looking back on the path that brought her here, Wilson believes her younger self would be proud.
“I mean, she might be like, Why are you not on Broadway? But that’s a bad answer. I hope she would be proud. I think she would be,” Wilson said.
