If students have been to a UCA Theatre show in the past few years, chances are they have seen self-proclaimed local celebrity Jimmy Bowler in action.

Bowler is a senior theater major from Greenbrier. Bowler has been on the UCA stage many times, including as seen in his roles, which include Mr. Mushnik in UCA Theatre’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Christopher in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” and Charlie Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Bowler said he chose to call the University of Central Arkansas home because of its closeness to his hometown and the theater program.

“I had toured a few years before and was very impressed by what the school had to offer,” he said.

Bowler said, “My major offers a type of collaboration and companionship that is rare to see in many other fields. Everyone has a part to play, and getting to perform the finished version of a show you have been working on for months is one of the best feelings in the world.”

Bowler said UCA has given him the opportunity to hone his theater skills and gain the knowledge needed to find a job after graduating. Through working behind the scenes and on stage of various productions, including writing and directing his own staged comedy “Madame Willendorf,” Bowler has received unique hands-on experience through the UCA Theatre program that he said is beneficial.

“Most theater graduates I know have already found work in their field, whether it be in choreography, design, or acting, and that gives me a lot of hope,” Bowler said. “There is a lot you can gain here that you wouldn’t get straight out of high school.”

Two of Bowler’s favorite professors have been Acie Clark, professor of creative writing, and Lauren Carlton, professor of theater. He said the two encourage him and others to succeed creatively and remind students to be themselves.

“Clark has given me such a freeing creative outlet for my writing for the stage, and does so much to encourage intellectual discussion and equality of voice in the class,” Bowler said. “Meanwhile, Carlton as a director has always made her directed shows as safe as possible, and makes myself and everyone she works with feel seen and cared about.”

This past year, Bowler said he shared a secret that made waves around the campus community — he was the person behind Instagram meme page, @UCA.FakeNews, a satirical account focused on creating funny UCA news for students.

“I have been running this account since freshman year, and it has only gotten bigger since,” Bowler said. “I love to make people laugh and try to provide some levity amidst the stress of deadlines, exams, and other college life woes.”

This school year, Bowler said he is most looking forward to “meeting new friends, and seeing how the people I know will grow and change. I also happily anticipate any positive changes for the campus as a whole.”

Bowler said he hopes more people will learn about the live theater scene in central Arkansas.

“There are tons of fantastic professional and community theaters that put on great shows. It is an art form that I believe everyone should give a chance at least once, and I think people will be very pleasantly surprised by this season’s show, ‘Heathers the Musical.’”

Bowler said his biggest advice for new students, “aside from the usual ‘be yourself,’” is “pay close attention to prices at the nearby bookstore and compare them to stores nearby. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but a polo shirt should not be seventy dollars,” and “people are more understanding than you’d first believe.”