Incoming students lined up in vehicles along Boylston Street, eagerly waiting to turn onto Tremont Street, where they were greeted by an energetic team of orientation move-in leaders. Dancing along to music, songs, and cheers, the leaders announced students as they stepped out of their cars and began their journey at Emerson. First stop? The Little Building.
For many students, it was their first glimpse of the Emerson community—and for many, their first time meeting their roommates.
“I’m excited to make connections with friends and professionally to launch my career,” said Molly Bernstein ’30, a Theater Education and Performance major. “I want to explore film, as I’ve only been in plays and musicals. I love the creativity of Emerson students, and all the clubs and activities.”
Sporting a purple tutu and adorned with head-to-toe sparkles, Abigail Miner ’28 greeted students with a microphone, announcing their names to big cheers from fellow orientation leaders and staff. For Miner, it was her second year as a move-in orientation leader.
“I want to make as much noise as possible. I want them to feel as welcomed as possible,” said Miner.
Vibrant and energetic, move-in day also was remarkably organized. Leading the operation was orientation coordinator Raiya Hurt ’28, who coordinated more than 100 student orientation leaders and sported sparkly rainbows painted on her cheeks for the occasion.
For Hurt, the rainbows were more than just festive face paint.
“I wanted to be as welcoming, sparkly, and queer as possible. I wanted to make sure that our queer students feel as comfortable as possible.”
Armed with her guitar, Hailey Baziuk ’30 had driven for three days with her mom from Colorado to reach Emerson. She said she was ready not only to begin her college experience, but also to get involved in the Emerson community.
“I’m excited for so many things. The people, the city. I can focus on art,” said Baziuk.
Like many incoming students experiencing the uniqueness of Emerson’s move-in day, Interim Dean of the School of Film, Television, and Media Arts Shaun Clarke, MFA ’12, had only heard stories about Emerson’s legendary move-in days. This year, he wanted to experience it firsthand.
“It has all the excitement that I’ve read about and seen pictures of through the years,” said Clarke.
Inside the Little Building, orientation leaders lined up with carts filled to the brim with students’ belongings. Among them was Vivian Thomasset ’29, who was preparing to help welcome a new class of students while reminiscing about her own move-in experience the previous year. That experience inspired her to return as a move-in orientation leader and offer advice to the incoming class.
“Do everything your first week. Say hi to everyone, hang out in the common rooms, seek out friends. Be yourself and just go out and have fun!” said Thomasset.
Luca Bario ’30 was eager to get out of his vehicle as he waited with his family along Boylston Street after setting off from New Jersey at 4 a.m. He was ready to take Thomasset’s advice and begin exploring all that Emerson has to offer.
“I wanted to come to Emerson to do theater and I like the flexibility that I could switch to focus on dramaturgy or directing,” said Bario. “I can explore all of that along with acting.”
As Bario and his family made their way toward Tremont Street, they were greeted by rainbow tutu-wearing Tucker Sanders ’29, camcorder in hand.
“I love shooting with a camcorder. It gives a lot of personality,” said Sanders, who planned on editing his content to create a montage for the orientation team’s Instagram account while utilizing skills he picked up in his first year. “I’m always learning and using what I’ve learned in the classroom in real life.”
Nearby was Brandin Dear, assistant vice president for Campus Health & Wellness, who had been stationed along Tremont Street since 8 a.m. and planned to stay throughout the day to greet incoming students and help the student move-in orientation team.
“We want everyone to feel welcome. While they’re waiting, I’m saying hello. We want their first few moments at Emerson to be amazing,” said Dear.
For transfer student Jeanne Berthy ’29, move-in day marked the beginning of her Emerson education—and the start of a new chapter in her professional journey.
Berthy recently retired as a professional ballerina from Charlottesville Ballet, where she also taught 12 to 14 classes a week for three years. That experience fostered her love of teaching and solidified her desire to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
“I realized that I loved teaching and working on refining motor skills,” said Berthy. “Through my work at Emerson, I’ll be able to make learning fun and playful, and sometimes enjoyable to help children improve something that they’ll eventually be good at.”
