Student Seen
Nicki Poer, M.F.A. 06'
Photo by Laurie Scendel Lane
“Nicki, an Illinois native with a bachelor's degree from
Milliken University, first came to know about Missoula and UM
through the Missoula Children's Theatre. She toured with the
productions of The Wiz of the West and Treasure Island from 1999
to 2001. That’s when she met her husband, Brad, a UM
graduate student in directing. Nicki plays the title role in
Evita, produced by UM’s drama/dance department. It opens
April 5 at the Montana Theatre.
Why are you at UM? To study theatre in a place like no other on Earth.
What book would you take with you into your “next life?” Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.
What is your favorite spot on campus? On stage in the Montana Theatre when it is empty. It is a powerful place.
What’s the best advice you ever got? Fall flat on your face at least twice a day. Keith Hitchcock, the director of Evita, told one of our classes that at the beginning of the year. If everything is perfect, what is there to learn?
What interests you outside of the classroom? Knitting. Friends. Family. Wine. Music. Exercise. Not necessarily in that order!
What is your favorite bumper sticker? America needs an oil change.
Who has influenced you most since you came here? My students. I teach Acting for Non-Majors. They keep me connected to the campus at large. They teach me as much as I hope I teach them. They remind me that I am teacher and student always.
If you could light anything on fire right now, what would it be? Any document that doesn’t give help to those who need help most.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Playing bingo at the Bingo Palace!
If your life were made into a movie, what genre would it be? Who would portray you? It would probably be a musical—like the old movie musicals. I would want someone unknown to play me.
