Sofia Sets the Stage for Tomorrow
SALISBURY, MD---Sofia Arnaiz knows that stepping into the spotlight can help light the way for someone else.
On stage, she understands that people aren’t just watching a performance. They’re watching courage take shape when the curtain rises. They’re watching someone step forward, even if it took a deep breath to get there.
Long before she arrived at 糖心视频, Sofia knew the stage felt like home. She still remembers seeing the Rockettes at 4 years old and feeling a spark ignite within her. From that moment on, she wanted to be the one onstage, telling stories people can feel. Since then, theatre has been a constant—through middle school, high school and now at SU, where she’s found both creative freedom and a sense of belonging.
“There is so much I love about the theatre program here,” Sofia said. “It’s such a tight-knit group even as it grows. We get to explore and be who we are in a safe environment, embrace the fear of messing up and grow.”
The Theatre Department at SU has become a second home to Sofia. She’s worked across nearly every aspect of production—acting, stage managing, scene design, and more—encouraged by mentors and classmates who support her as she discovers what she’s capable of. That strong sense of community has changed the way she sees herself. She used to compare herself to others, measuring her progress against the people around her. Now, she’s more confident, grounded in who she is and joyful in the process.
“I’ve seen myself grow so much from when I first came here as a freshman,” she said. “I trust myself more, and I’m having so much fun.”
Sofia has gotten something out of every project she’s worked on. One of her favorites was “Into the Woods,” where she worked as a puppeteer in a visually ambitious production that used silks suspended from the ceiling to transform the stage. It was challenging, experimental, and required deep trust from her professors and crew members.
“I had never done anything like it before, but our director put a lot of faith in me,” she said. “And the response from the audience made every moment worth it.”
In addition to theatre, Sofia also majors in communication, which brings another layer to her presence. “When you interview someone, you’re giving them the stage,” she explained. Learning how to connect with people from all walks of life and meet them where they are has strengthened her confidence both onstage and off. It’s part of what draws her toward a career in journalism, possibly as a news anchor and reporter, blending writing, storytelling, and being on camera.
Of course, theatre will always be part of that future, too. She plans to keep auditioning, performing, and being a role model for others wherever she can. She credits the mentors who helped her come out of her shell, reminding her that she was enough, and she’s committed to paying that forward.
“People depend on you whether you realize it or not,” Sofia said. “There is always someone looking out for you or looking up to you.”
At SU, Sofia has learned that leadership doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes, it looks like noticing who’s standing alone and reaching out. It’s leading by example, showing others that it’s okay to be unsure and step forward anyway.
In classrooms, rehearsal rooms, and everyday conversations, Sofia continues to remind others that courage doesn’t require certainty, only the willingness to step into the moment.