From UWF to Broadway and Beyond – A Journey of Flexibility and Musicality
August 5, 2025 | By Aimee Farmer, Student Intern, Department of English | Edited by Karen Tibbals, CASSH Communications Coordinator
Rocky Sansom, a 2003 graduate of the University of West Florida (UWF), credits his time in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH) for shaping his diverse and successful career as an actor, voice coach, and professor. With a BFA in Acting, a BA in English, and a minor in Music, Sansom took an unconventional route through UWF, one that he now sees as key to his achievements. Recently, Sansom completed Voice Work, a book that will serve as a textbook in prestigious theatre schools such as Juilliard, Yale, Vanderbilt, UNC-Chapel Hill, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London), the University of Pretoria (South Africa), and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (Australia), among others.
Performance prepared me for professional theatre, and the Writing Lab laid the groundwork for my work as an editor and author. - Rocky Sansom, Actor, Voice Coach, and Professor
Sansom’s educational journey was shaped by the flexibility UWF’s faculty encouraged, allowing him to explore a wide range of subjects. Over the years, Sansom has published five books on vocal performance, and he continues to see the influence of his UWF training in his work today.
The mentorship of faculty members such as Dr. Salanki, Dr. Blyn, and Dr. Baulch, particularly shaped his time at UWF. Dr. Salanki, Distinguished University Professor and director of piano and chamber music, offered Sansom weekly piano lessons for four years and taught him ear training in music theory. “She made me a musician,” Sansom reflects. “As an actor, strong musicianship is a major asset, and those piano skills were key as I transitioned into voice coaching. She truly set me up for success, something I didn’t fully appreciate until years later.” Dr. Salanki also encouraged Sansom to pursue a career in New York, a suggestion he took to heart, and that ultimately led him to the Big Apple.
While Dr. Salanki provided the musical foundation, Drs. Blyn, Professor of English, and Baulch, Associate Professor of English, assisted him in developing his writing and academic skills. “They both pushed me to do my best work while being deeply kind and supportive,” Sansom says, highlighting their impact on his academic journey.
Sansom’s time at UWF also allowed him to gain hands-on experience. “I directed a 90-minute honors thesis show, led seminar discussions in an English course, and coached choral groups in the music department. The faculty gave me space to try, ‘fail,’ and try again, excellent training for life,” Sansom shares. These opportunities for independent work laid the groundwork for his future career.
After graduating, Sansom went on to have a successful career in professional theatre, playing leading roles in national and international Broadway tours. His experiences and versatility as an artist led him to his current role as a tenured professor at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he now lives with his wife and young daughter in New Orleans. Sansom offers some simple but powerful advice to other UWF students:
t’s perfectly okay to come into college with a clear career goal, but for many people, their interests and career paths evolve, and that’s completely natural…give yourself space as an undergraduate to explore a variety of interests. You may be surprised how those experiences resurface and enrich your life years down the road. - Sansom
Sansom's story serves as a reminder that success often emerges from the intersections of seemingly different paths, and that UWF’s flexible and supportive environment plays a crucial role in helping students like Sansom find meaningful careers.
To learn more about incorporating Theatre, English, or Music into your programs at UWF and learn how they can shape your future, visit UWF’s College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities.
