For senior acting major Mariah Gordon, performing has never been about effortless confidence.
Gordon, who has appeared in productions including the Showtime drama “The Chi” and the Comedy Central series “South Side,” admits that stepping on stage can still be intimidating. But through years of acting, music and mentorship, Gordon has learned that nervousness is not something to avoid; it’s something to embrace.
“It’s okay to be nervous,” Gordon said. “You’re about to perform in front of people and share something that’s important to you.”
Gordon has spent her time at Columbia using her nerves as motivation to refine her craft. Through performances, coursework and hands-on experience with Columbia’s Audio Visual Crew, she has developed a reputation for preparation and persistence.
“What stands out to me about Mariah is her focus and confidence on stage,” Jess Ortega said, a sophomore graphic design major who has also worked on Columbia’s Audio Visual Crew.
“When she performs, she’s fully locked in. You can tell she’s completely committed to the moment.”
That confidence, Ortega said, comes from countless hours of work behind the scenes.
“Even when she’s handling a lot and feeling the pressure, she always delivers on stage,” Ortega said. “You can see how much work she has put in every time she performs.”
Gordon’s drive has also caught the attention of faculty members.
Eric Rutherford, an adjunct faculty in the School of Audio and Music, first met Gordon in his “Gospel Choir” course. Rutherford said Gordon quickly distinguished herself from other students through her work ethic and willingness to seek feedback.
“She’s a very hard worker,” Rutherford said. “She has a very keen attention to detail.”
Rutherford recalled that Gordon would regularly attend his office hours before auditions and performances to seek guidance and refine her work.
“She was intentionally seeking me out,” Rutherford said. “‘Can you please work with me because I care about this piece and I want to do well on it?’”
Gordon credits several faculty members with helping her development, including Rutherford, Claudette Roper and Wendi Weber. Roper is an adjunct faculty and Weber is an associate professor of instruction in the School of Theatre and Dance.
“Columbia has kind of shaped me as an artist,” Gordon said.
A milestone in that journey occurred this spring at Columbia’s annual “Biggest Mouth” performance showcase. Gordon, who sang in the production, described the experience as transformative, helping her become more comfortable with performing in front of audiences.
“I feel free on the stage now,” Gordon said. “I’m more confident in what I’m doing.”
Ortega witnessed that transformation firsthand.
“I remember when Mariah told me she was going to be in the Biggest Mouth show,” Ortega said. “She worked and rehearsed hard even though she was really stressed. But at the end of it all, she did absolutely amazing.”
Outside the classroom, Gordon works with Columbia’s Audio Visual Crew at the 1014 S. Michigan Ave. building, where she has gained experience in audio production and live event support. She said the position has introduced her to skills that complement her creative ambitions while also providing practical career experience.
As she prepares to enter her senior year, Gordon is continuing to pursue both acting and music. She plans to spend the summer working on new music and music videos while exploring additional performance opportunities.
Rutherford believes Gordon has the skills and dedication to pursue a career in acting, music and songwriting.
“Mariah can do quite a few things very, very well,” he said. “She goes the extra lengths to make sure that she has the right support and resources to continue doing those things well.”
Copy edited by Antonio Chaves
