Hi! My name is Lux Vargas, and I am rising Senior born and raised in Miami, Florida. At Northwestern University, I study Theatre and Creative Writing with specific focuses in directing, playwriting, and music theatre. A second year Resident Assistant, I'm most passionate about building community across our campus. I have been a member of Vertigo Productions for all four years here at Northwestern, where I empower artists and students tell new stories. I also perform in the Chicagoland area with groups like Northwestern's Latin Music Ensemble and Griffin's Tale!

Hometown

Miami, Florida

Major(s)

Theatre (Communications)

Minor(s)

Creative Writing, Playwriting Module, Music Theatre Certificate

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Organizations: Vertigo Productions - Northwestern University's only new work theatre organization, producing plays written by undergraduate students Positions: Production Manager (2023-2025), President (2025-2026), Directing Chair (Present) Griffin's Tale - Northwestern University's children's repertory theatre company, adapting and performing stories from local elementary schoolers in the Chicagoland area. Positions: Ensemble member (2025-Present) Latin Music Ensemble - A Northwestern band and organization performing Latin American music across campus and the Chicagoland area. Positions: Singer (2025-Present) Ayers Residential College of Commerce and Industry - Executive college board Position: Vice President (2024-2025) On Campus Jobs: Residential Services Position: Residential Assistant on campus (2025-Present) NU Graduation Office Position: Office Assistant (2025) Theatrical Projects: Director Credits - productions I directed Song Cycle (2024) - NU Jewish Theatre Ensemble La Ventanita (2025) - NU Vibrant Color's Collective The Winter Guard Play (2026) - NU WAVE Productions MFA New Play Festival (2026) - Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts at Northwestern Performance Credits - productions I performed in In the Time of the Butterflies (2026) - Lead - Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts at Northwestern Pythia: a musical drama (2025) - Chorus​/​Ensemble - Northwestern Performance Studies Hometown (2024) - Supporting Role - NU Los Angeles Theatre Initiative​/​Edinburgh Fringe Festival Film Projects: Hidden Gems - Lead actress - Studio22 Productions at Northwestern Janvar - 2nd Assistant Director - Independent film grant at Northwestern

Describe your college experience

My greatest passion in all of the work I do, whether that be artistic or educational, is building community. I have been so fortunate in that my Northwestern experience has not only provided me with a variety of communities across campus, but with opportunities to bring others together and continue to create a welcoming campus environment as well. I was especially nervous as a Latina that I wouldn't find a place here, but I was able to jump right in from taking classes in our Latino studies department to finding home at our on and off campus Latino cultural celebrations. In the realm of art and theatre, I was able to take on leadership positions and be a part of SO MUCH new work created by my peers and myself too! Even my Junior year, I became an RA and expanded my professional horizons, and tried something totally new and joined the RTVF (film) community on campus. Each year has come with its own challenges, but at its core, my Northwestern experience has really been about expanding my network of artistic collaborators, educational and professional mentors, and most importantly: friends.

Tip for future students

My biggest tip would be to try new things! I've seen a lot of students be very discouraged their first year when they didn't get into the competitive organizations they applied for or when they didn't find their life-long best friends in their Freshman PA (peer advisor) group. I understand the anxiety because Northwestern might feel small, but there are so many opportunities here to branch out and contribute to something bigger. I've seen students who thought they were just filmmakers become car builders at our Ford Engineering center or philosophy students become volunteers with our Northwestern Prison Education program or Computer Science students become scenic designers. The beautiful thing about Northwestern is that you can find a home anywhere, it's just about being willing to look in places you didn't expect.

Favorite class

My favorite class that I took here was the Art of Storytelling during my Freshman year! It was a class in the theatre department, but it included students across plenty of our schools and majors like Journalism, English, and lots of Engineering. We got to learn about what makes a good compelling story, how to tell these stories live, and how to listen to others' stories too. One of my favorite assignments for the class required us to go to a live night time storytelling event at Double Clutch Brewing Company off campus in Evanston. I made so many memories and new connections in that class!

Career goals

After college, my hope is to continue to work in Theatre, specifically in new play development. Whether that be on the artistic end or the administrative end, I want to continue to help platform new and experimental theatre​/​live artworks to invite new and underrepresented communities into the theatrical art form. For now, that means being employed at and finding an artistic home at a local theatre with a mission I am aligned with.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Start with dinner with my friends, we'd grab arepas at La Cocinita (my favorite Evanston spot.) Then, we would head to Shanley Pavilion to catch a performance of whatever student play or musical is going on there. Or maybe a fun student comedy show at the Prattic, a student run comedy club. After the show, we would pick up cookies and head back to a friend's apartment to debrief. From there, we'd get ready to go out! Either a fun party or a trip to a nearby neighborhood like Wrigleyville or Boystown to go dancing.

High school or secondary school

Archimedean Upper Conservatory - Miami, Florida