Judy Genshaft Honors College student Preston Kifer is blending his passion for the performing arts with a commitment to social justice and political change. Now a senior double majoring in political science and theater, Kifer has spent four years at the University of South Florida investigating the intersection of performance, art, and social movements.
“I wanted to understand the practical aspects of theater and how they connect to the theoretical frameworks I was studying in political science,” Kifer said.
DISCOVERING A UNIQUE PATH
Kifer began his college career planning to double major in philosophy and political science, aiming for a future in law. However, as he became more involved in co-curricular activities and met different mentors, he realized he wanted to merge his interests in theater and politics rather than choose between them.
One of the most influential figures in his journey was Sayandeb Basu, director of USF’s Office of National Scholars. Through regular meetings, they discussed Kifer’s academic and career goals, as well as scholarship opportunities like the Fulbright and Marshall scholarships.
“If I didn’t work with Dr. Basu, I may have ended up a double major in political science and philosophy instead of theater,” Kifer said. “Or I may have been trudging down the path to law school. But now, I am pursuing my passions.”
REVIVING THE HONORS CHOIR
In addition to his involvement with the Office of National Scholars, student government, and Honors College peer mentors, Kifer played a key role in reviving the Honors College choir.
During his first semester, he recalled his Honors Acquisition of Knowledge professor mentioning the “fabled” Honors choir. With a long history in choral performance and some spare time, he was inspired to re-establish the group.
In the early stages, Kifer took on multiple roles — conducting, organizing events and teaching students sheet music. Now, just a few years later, the choir has become an official ensemble recognized by the School of Music and is offered as a course through the Honors College. Notably, the choir was recently invited to perform at Carnegie Hall alongside Professor Allyssa Jones, a professional musician and director of ensembles for the USF College of Design, Art & Performance’s School of Music.
BACK ON STAGE
Participating in the Honors Choir was just one way Kifer refined his passion for the performing arts. With more than 12 years of theater experience and nearly 40 performances, he has grown comfortable acting before live audiences.
“I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, to creating art, to expressing myself through unconventional means,” Kifer said. “There’s nothing else that I’ve found in my life that allows me to express myself in the same way that theater does.”
One of Kifer's most memorable performances was playing Mischa in the musical, Ride the Cyclone. The overwhelming audience response and the show’s popularity made a lasting impact as he still gets recognized in public for his role.
“It’s an ineffable feeling to perform for people, to make them laugh, cry, or scooch a little closer to each other — it’s very fulfilling,” he said.
EXPLORING THEATER AND RESEARCH
As Kifer deepened his understanding of political science, he began connecting it to performance and activism. While interning with The BIED Society in Washington, D.C.— an international organization researching artificial intelligence and public policy — he worked as an undergraduate research assistant studying AI and politics. His research led to the publication of a paper titled, “AI Algorithms in Social Media and Political Polarization.”
“The internship pushed me to research how I can combine the practical aspects of theater with the theoretical frameworks I found in political science,” he said.
This research has informed his senior thesis, which examines the decline of social protests and why they have become less common despite the rise of many social movements today.
As graduation approaches, Kifer is exploring his next steps. He is applying to graduate programs in dramaturgy, theater management and theater performance across the country. With the help of the Office of National Scholars, he has also applied for the Fulbright program in the United Kingdom, hoping to study theater in a country known for its rich theatrical history, including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
“No matter what happens, I’ll be in some city, hopefully New York, possibly Chicago, just somewhere where there’s theater happening,” Kifer said.
For students struggling to find their own path, he advises taking small steps toward what excites them.
“My plan has changed probably 30 times; it’s a long process,” Kifer said. “I recommend starting early because if you wait until your senior year to figure things out, it’s going to be tough. Pursue the things you want to do, and things will work out.”