December 16, 2013 | SharkAdmin This year has been busy for Alicia Tafoya, an adjunct instructor in the NVC Drama department. She directed the play “Marisol” by Oscar nominated and famous playwright Jose Rivera. Alicia also became the box office manager for Palmetto, which helps to spread the word about events at Palmetto. Despite teaching, directing plays and overseeing the box office, just several years ago, Alicia didn’t know NVC existed. She said she originally applied for a position at San Antonio College and was referred to NVC because she lives in this part of the city. What is your background?I am originally from Los Angeles, California What is your educational background?I have a bachelor’s degree in acting and directing with a minor in dance performance from Southern Utah University and a Master of Fine Arts in Performance and Pedagogy of Acting and Directing from Texas Tech University. Where did you work prior to NVC?I am a teaching artist. I have spent the past 10 years traveling to teach, direct, perform, and dramaturge. What is the best part about working at NVC?I love the students, faculty and staff that I work with. The energy on this campus is so young and exciting. What is the most rewarding part about your job?The most rewarding thing about my job is seeing the light bulb go on in students' heads the first time they truly understand something. That discovery is magical. What are your hobbies, interests, favorite activities?I love animals and am fostering a dog for San Antonio Pets Alive which is a non-profit that is working to make San Antonio a no kill city. I love to garden and to cook. One of my favorite things to do is to sing and play my ukulele. I am also a tech geek and love to work on computers, and I am an amateur Photographer. In fact I even have a website where I showcase some of my photos. It is http://urbanpearl.wix.com/portfolio What NVC “Touchstones” (synergy, caring, diversity, learning, joy, openness, community, integrity, creativity) best describes you?Learning – I love learning for me knowledge is fountain of youth – as long as there is more to learn, I will be in search of it. Do you have a personal motto that you live by or tell your students? I always tell students that they should work hard. My life motto is “hard work works better than talent when talent doesn't work hard.
