Fourth-year theatre, film, and digital production (TFDP) major Josiah Alpher has been driven by his passion for acting since middle school. Alpher spent his teenage years committed to a career in the theater/cinema industry, supported by his parents who would regularly drive him over 300 miles down to Los Angeles from Northern California.

“When college applications started coming up, I really decided to just dive head-first into acting, into theater, in any capacity,” Alpher said. “I thought to myself, I might regret it in 10 or 20 years if I didn't go into the arts. And so I really just wanted to take that leap.”

As a high school graduate during the COVID-19 pandemic, Alpher was initially reluctant to attend UC Riverside. While originally intending to go to a community college closer to home, a combination of cabin fever and passion drove him to UCR.

“UCR has truly been a hidden gem,” he said. “The people here are really, really talented, and they're so passionate. I think what makes this school and TFDP so different is that the people are passionate about what they do, and they do it well. You can tell the difference.”

In addition to his family, Alpher has been the recipient of consistent support from staff and faculty within the TFDP department, as well as many of his peers. Alpher says that Professors of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production Rickerby Hinds and Kimberly Guerrero have been a constant presence since his freshman year. Alpher first met Hinds when he was speaking at a session of TFDP 099, and would later begin working with him at his company, Hindsight Productions. Hinds, through the production company, was able to fund Alpher’s short film, “Four,” which was screened at the TFDP Film Showcase on May 20.

“Both of them have guided me and mentored me from my beginning and early years at UCR up until now,” Alpher said. “Both of them have delivered — in watching my self-tapes and in helping me with auditions and submissions. Obviously, working with Kerb on his production company has been one thing. Continuing to build my mentoring relationship with Kimberly has been so amazing.”

Alpher cites the many events hosted by CHASS and TFDP as encouragement to keep moving forward.

“They have events like The Audacity of Failure — which they do every year — which encourages students to learn more about the industry, and the flip side of success and failure,” he said. “It's about failure, but it really feels like you're encouraged afterwards. For CHASS to be able to support TFDP and TFDP to support me, really feels like a beautiful timeline and like a snowball effect. There's always something going on in CHASS.”

After graduation, Alpher intends to continue his work with Hindsight Productions, as well as begin exploring a professional career in acting in the film industry. While he has worked as a production member in past projects, Alpher is an actor first and foremost. 

“I love telling stories, whether that be the stage or the screen, and so, as I continue my acting career, I would love to explore what it means to be an entertainer and a host,” Alpher said. “Long term, I’d love to create art that will last long after I’m gone, and sure winning an Oscar doesn’t sound so bad”

Alpher encourages students to continue to use their voice in any capacity. He explains how fear can often cause things that are wrong to go unnoticed.

“Sometimes it's okay to do something and still be scared,” he said. “You can be scared and still do something. I'm scared every single time I go on stage; I still do it. I encourage students to have a voice, and if they're scared to do something, to do it scared. Because the beauty of doing something scared is it lets you continue to grow, and doesn't let you stay in one place.”

For those interested in collaborating with Alpher, contact him on Instagram @josiahalpher.

FEATURED PHOTO. Josiah Alpher stands in a sunlit courtyard, graduation gown slung over his shoulder.