By her own admission, Giovanna Day has always had a unique desire for exploration, no matter the topic. Her tendency to continuously embrace new beginnings, and challenge the traditional has always caused her to try new things. Now almost halfway through her senior year here at Rowan, Giovanna, a Brazilian international student has been the definition of resilience and cultural celebration. From her initial encounter with the arts in Brazil to her gracing of the stage in Utah and later here at Rowan, Giovanna’s story serves as an encouragement to follow your dreams, even when faced with difficulties. 

Giovanna’s journey began when she was just a nine-year-old girl in Brazil.

“I was hanging out with some friends, and this crazy person came running around, yelling, ‘Come to an experimental theater class!’” said Day. “I never missed a single theater class after that day. All it took was one theater class for me to fall in love with it.”

However, the arts were not as available in Brazil as they are here. Here, where it is easy to find a theater or performing arts center, is much different in South America where there aren’t as many classes accessible to people. 

“Theater isn’t as popular there as it is here. In Glassboro alone, there are so many community and professional theaters. In Brazil, opportunities are far fewer. If people think doing arts here is hard, they should try it in South America. It’s a whole new level of difficulty,” said Day. 

Not deterred by the lack of theater arts, Giovanna eventually found herself in the United States as an exchange student. This came with a number of adjustments for Giovanna both culturally and personally. 

“Culturally, the U.S. is so different from Brazil. In Brazil, we greet each other with hugs and kisses, even if we don’t know each other. Here, personal space is valued differently. At first, I thought, ‘Why isn’t anyone hugging me?’ Now, I’ve adapted, but it was a big change,” said Day.

After completing a year in high school, she returned to Brazil to spend time with her family. This was 2020, and we all know what happened during that troubling year. COVID provided a serious interruption, and briefly delayed her return to the United States. She eventually returned to the United States, enrolling at a community college in Utah. At Utah, she found a community that both embraced and played a key role in nurturing her into the actor she is today. 

“Utah had one of the best theater programs and offered me a great scholarship. I learned so much there, but it was a two-year program, so I had to transfer,” said Day. 

Her professor in Utah connected her with Lane Savadove, the Head of Acting and Directing here at Rowan. 

“We had a Zoom meeting during my sophomore year, and I auditioned for Rowan over Zoom. What convinced me to choose Rowan was how much they care about their students. The opportunities here, both on and off campus, are incredible. Rowan’s intimate environment and the opportunities to work across departments really convinced me. In just a year and a half here, I’ve built an incredible resume and acting reel. The connections and experiences have been invaluable,” said Day.

Here at Rowan, Giovanna saturated herself in every aspect of the arts program. From acting to directing and even film productions. She has also immersed herself in the Radio Television and Film (RTF) program here. 

“This semester, I’ve been more involved with the TV and film department than with theater. They think I’m crazy because I’m there every weekend, but I’m building my resume and learning so much. Rowan offers so many extracurriculars, senior projects, plays, and short films,” said Day. 

For Giovanna however, theater is more than flexing your performance skills. It is about emotional vulnerability and authenticity. Fully enamoring yourself in the character you’re playing. One of her standout moments came when she portrayed Margot Frank in the Diary of Anne Frank. 

“It’s such a powerful and intimate story. Every rehearsal and performance required immense vulnerability,” said Day. 

After one of the performances,  she shared a rather touching moment with an audience member. 

“After a performance, a woman came up to me, crying, and said, ‘Margot, thank you.’ It was such a profound moment, reminding me why I do what I do. Moments like that make all the sleepless nights worth it,” said Day.

Fully diving in does not come without its risks, however. There are some strenuous emotional demands that come with fully embracing your character. 

“Accessing vulnerability safely and consistently is tough. You have to go there and then come back, reminding yourself it’s okay. Therapy has been a lifeline for me. As artists, we access deep emotions daily. Everyone should do therapy, but especially artists,” said Day.

In her short career, she has already broken down some barriers here at Rowan. As the only Latina and female director in her concentration, Giovanna has a strong sense of pride in inheriting her culture and her identity. 

“I am the celebration of my culture. Every day, I encounter challenges—like finding representation in directing materials—but my presence here is proof that we can break barriers. It’s an everyday battle to miss home and loved ones, but it also makes me stronger. Where we come from never dies. My heritage is always a part of me, even on the hardest days. The hard moments teach you resilience and how much you’re capable of,” said Day.

Her journey in the arts is not just limited to acting, as she also has become a director in recent years. 

“I took a directing class in my sophomore year, just to try something new, and it changed my life. Acting makes me a better director, and directing makes me a better actor. Directing unlocked a new level of creativity for me. It’s a different way of seeing the world, and it’s incredible,” said Day.

Her directing is not only changing the way she acts but is changing her perspective on life. 

“Artists are so alive. Everything is an inspiration. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without theater,” said Day.

Before Giovanna graduates, she is directing a play called Eurydice, which was written by Sarah Ruhl. It’s described on Sarahruhlplaywright.com  as “ The classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice not through Orpheus’s infamous pilgrimage to retrieve his bridge but through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, plot twists, and a script written to be a playground for designers, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.”

“The play goes up in April and auditions happen this weekend. This weekend, Friday and Saturday, and callbacks are on Sunday. The sign-up sheet is on my Instagram bio. This play, Sarah Ruhl, I could talk about this forever, but all I’m going to say is let yourself be vulnerable, let yourself dive deep into art. That’s what this play allows you to do. And if you’re passionate about arts the way I am, be there, Friday and Saturday, because you’re not going to regret it. We’re going to have so much fun and we’re going to learn so much together. And just like that, you have a full-length play on your resume,” said Day. 

As her college career ends, and her professional career begins, the future appears as bright as can be. Whether acting, directing, or exploring film, her passion and dedication shine through.

“I’ve always known I would be an actress, but now I see myself as so much more. Rowan has given me the tools and opportunities to grow,” said Day.

She provides others who may potentially take the same route as her, in their journey to follow their dreams despite any obstacles. 

“Embrace the hard moments. They teach you about life and yourself. Keep pushing forward, and remember that everything worth doing takes courage,” said Day. 

If interested in signing up for the play, the sheet can be found in Giovanna’s Instagram bio @giovannaday_.

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email arts@thewhitonline.com.