For Seaver College senior Jackson Murrieta, performing in front of huge audiences is nothing new.
Murrieta played the lead role of Harold Hill in Pepperdine’s Fall 2023 rendition of “The Music Man.”
In July 2023, Murrieta also landed a job with one of the most coveted entertainment companies in the world: working as a cast member at Disneyland Park. He spends three days a week at the park in Anaheim, and Murrieta said what he has learned at Pepperdine applies at Disney.
“Working in a professional environment, the stakes are higher because people are paying to see the performance,” Murrieta said. “But a lot of the training that I received here at Pepperdine comes into play at work.”
The musical theatre major made his acting debut at 7 years old.
“One of my really close friends was in [a show] and we would always hang out together,” Murrieta said. “And one day she was like, you should audition for a show.”
Murrieta landed his first-ever role as an ensemble character in “The Wizard of Oz,” appearing as a Munchkin in the Lollipop Guild, a Flying Monkey and a Citizen of Oz.
Murrieta stuck with musical theater for the remainder of his childhood. As he neared the end of high school he applied and auditioned at multiple colleges — though he always had an affinity for Pepperdine, as his parents met and married there.
Despite the grueling commute from Malibu to Anaheim and the challenges of juggling school and work, Murrieta said he is grateful for it all.
“[Disneyland] has always been a place that I’ve gone to as a kid so it’s very cool to now be on the working side of things and see how the operations really run,” Murrieta said, “It’s so honoring that I am now able to be part of the legacy.”
Theatre Professor Kelly Todd said Murrieta is “a natural leader” and that “his positivity just spreads in any class or cast.”
Murrieta is a gentleman, Todd said.
“If I’m holding too many things, he will always grab something from my arms,” Todd said. “He’s very aware of the needs of others around him.”
Stuart O’Rourke, assistant technical director and shop foreman, has worked closely with Murrieta. He said Murrieta is “a formidable triple threat.”
O’Rourke said his favorite memory with Murrieta is being backstage with him during his performances in “The Music Man.”
“He’s sweating like a pig, he’s focused, and you look at him and say, ‘Cool, everything’s good,’” O’Rourke said. “And then he’s moving on to the next scene. That’s the kind of fun backstage when you’re in the show, you’re in the battle.”
Murrieta plans to pursue musical theater post-graduation and hopes to one day be in the musical “Moulin Rouge” because of its incredible choreography.
He also hopes to one day give back to Pepperdine — possibly in the form of hosting a master class and giving future students advice.
“This program has taught me so much and it would be an honor to give back in some way,” Murrieta said.
Murrieta’s advice to students is to try to love all the trials and tribulations that college brings.
“It really flew by in an instant,” Murrieta said. “Regardless of how challenging college is, and especially going to such an academic institution like Pepperdine, I would tell myself to find ways to enjoy it more even amongst the stress.”
_______________________________
Follow Currents Magazine on X: @PeppCurrents and Instagram: @currentsmagazine
Contact Fiona Creadon via email: fiona.creadon@pepperdine.edu or on Instagram: @Fiocreao
