Many times we hear a story about a successful career which began with that highly-desired piece of paper — a degree. But Kip Pierson’s journey proves to be one of the many exceptions to that story.

Pierson, a former master’s student in the Theatre and Film Studies program from Sterling Heights, Mich. came to the University in the fall of 1999 to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree through the three-year master’s program.

“I was given a full ride and a stipend,” Pierson said.

However, Pierson only stayed for one year.

“I thought it was too based in academia and not based enough in real world applications,” Pierson said.

Pierson did not give up on pursuing a career in performing arts, however.

“I wanted to go into the real world and act, and I did so,” Pierson said. “After leaving UGA my immediate job was with the Orlando Shakespeare Festival and after that I kept getting work, which was pretty neat.”

His time in the program did have a positive influence on him, just not in the way that he was expecting.

“The way it influenced me the most was that it taught me how to use Ramsey,” Pierson said.

Pierson had one course that was taught Monday through Friday, and it was mandatory that the students worked out on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

He had a bad shoulder and was apprehensive about putting any pressure on it while working out. But his hard work in the gym paid off because he now competes in the Ironman Triathlon.

Pierson later went back to school and earned his MFA in Classical Acting at the Academy for Classical Acting, which is part of the Shakespeare Theatre Company and George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

“The program was fantastic,” Pierson said.

He is now on a three month national tour of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ production of “Nobody’s Perfect,” a musical based on the children’s book by Academy Award winner and deaf actress, Marlee Matlin.

“Nobody’s Perfect” is presented in both American Sign Language and English.

“Deaf audiences particularly don’t have many opportunities to see a live show, but this production definitely allows them to,” Pierson said.

Pierson has a word of advice for anyone who may be pursuing a career in performing arts.

“You have to work,” Pierson said. “By that I mean search for the opportunities that are out there, because there are always opportunities; school is not the end-all, be-all.”