This article was originally published in the Academia print issue of The Daily Utah Chronicle, originally in stands in October of 2024. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
When Craig Wirth, a video production professor at the University of Utah, was asked about his career, he said, “You know, just find something that’s a little different and that’s how I made my life a little different.”
Wirth’s quote is fitting for many of the talented arts professors that can be found on campus.
Professor Wirth
Wirth completed his journalism degree at the University of Utah in 1973 while working as a reporter at Channel 4. He then went on to the University of Wisconsin for his graduate school. Salt Lake came calling again and Wirth returned working at KUTV for the next 7 years.
Following his time at KUTV he went to New York City to work with the New York Mets. Wirth reflected on his time in New York City.
“I was doing features on the New York Mets, what a great way to make a living,” he said.
While working with the Mets, Wirth did features including explaining how they draw the white chalk outlines or who rubs the special mud on the baseballs.
From New York, he moved to Los Angeles, where he was cast in the soap opera “The Young and The Restless.” Wirth was cast as the florist, Lancaster, who would frequently mix up orders. Commenting on his experience as an actor, Wirth said, “Where else could I get a chance to yell at people and get yelled at?”
While in Los Angeles he traveled across the country in a bus for a year doing stories on the road. During this time his neighbors broke down his door to check on his mortality.
Wirth returned to his alma mater at the U in 1998, and has taught here ever since.
“I love hearing the dreams of people, I love hearing what they want to do in their careers, their studies, that’s the exciting thing,” he said.
Professor Desch
Professor Natalie Desch’s East Coast hometown of New Castle, Pennsylvania was not exactly normal.
“It was such a small town, there were really only two dance schools,” Desch said.
Desch had a passion for dance, specifically ballet, and reached beyond New Castle to find opportunities.
When you hear the name Juilliard, it rings a bell. It sure did for Desch’s parents when she told them about her acceptance to Juilliard.
Desch took every chance to strengthen her skills, trying out different dance genres like modern or continuously seeking out auditions for practice. Upon graduation, Desch nailed herself a spot in the Limón company, where she continued to dance for the following five years. In her fifth year at the Limón company, Desch got a job offer from Doug Varone’s company, which was her dream since leaving Juilliard.
Describing the appeal of the company, Desch said, “They had different body types, they were different ages, races, sexual orientations.” Desch stayed with Varone until 2012 when she discovered that she had the itch to teach.
This itch took her to the University of Washington for a master’s degree. Desch describes her time in Seattle as the best two years of her life.
In 2014, Desch moved to Salt Lake City to be with her partner, Daniel. During her time in Salt Lake, she taught at almost every college in northern Utah. She said her favorite part of teaching is “encouraging the students to stay open.”
Professor Kirk
When asked about her start in photography, arts professor Natalie Kirk said, “I was walking past SLCC, and I thought, I could go to SLCC for something, and make lots of money doing wedding photography.’”
Upon her and her mother’s research, they discovered that SLCC’s credits wouldn’t transfer to a bachelor’s degree, so instead she went to the University of Utah.
“Once I got into the studio, I really blossomed,” she said.
Kirk attended the University of Wisconsin for graduate school and her master’s gave her the chance to return to the University of Utah as a professor.
In addition to teaching, Kirk has also done work in the forensic photography field and the biomedical field.
“I love teaching because I love photography, and the students are a captive audience and have no choice but to listen to my favorite topic,” she said.
