When Adriana Hardin ’26 first arrived at the University of Notre Dame, she felt like she had to focus solely on her academics in the College of Science.
“I always felt like I couldn’t do fun things … I had to focus on the future,” the biochemistry major said.
By 2025, Hardin and her best friend, Adam Albritton ’26, also a biochemistry major, quickly discovered they could focus on their studies and have a fun side hobby on stage, in musical theater. They were already busy with their roles tutoring, assistant teaching, and working in the Chemistry department’s prep lab.
Hardin, originally from Chicago, is also pursuing a musical theater minor. In addition to his biochemistry major, Albritton has concentration in neuroscience and a minor in theater. When he visited campus in high school, a tour guide emphasized the importance of growing outside of the classroom, Albritton took that to heart.
“I thought it would be a great place for me to grow academically, but also as a person,” said Albritton, who is originally from Memphis.
This thought has rung true for both Albritton, who lived in Dunne Hall but is now an off-campus senior, and Hardin, who previously lived in Lyons but now lives in Fischer.
Last spring, Albritton, who lived in Dunne Hall but is now an off-campus senior, noticed PEMCo, Notre Dame’s student-run musical theater group, was hosting auditions for Footloose. He told Hardin that he was considering trying out, and to his surprise, she said she’d join him. The two joined the ensemble despite high nerves early on.
“The first rehearsal was a singing rehearsal — I’d never seen sheet music in my life.” Albritton joked, but found the community of PEMCo to be incredibly welcoming to newcomers.
Shows became a way to balance the rigor of the biochemistry major by flexing a creative muscle, as Hardin and Albritton learned lines, choreography, and the ins and outs of performing in a production. Since finishing Footloose last spring, the two have done a production of High School Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, and Matilda.
“It’s a new thing for the both of us, but we’ve really grown into it together,” Hardin said.
Both Hardin and Albritton reference their time on the stage as changing other parts of their life. Pursuing theater has allowed Hardin to grow more comfortable not only in her performances, but in her science classes.
“I feel like I’ve broken out of my shell academically too … I’ve grown more confident in both [areas],” she said.
Albritton credits the experience as a necessary reminder to take any opportunity to try new things, whether in pursuing novel research in a laboratory or experimenting with different ideas for a production.
“I’ve worked with a lot of directors now who’ve had such creative decisions on what they want, and it’s been really inspiring.”
Albritton was able to get a taste for behind the scenes work as an assistant stage manager for Little Shop of Horrors. He’s also found a growing interest in writing since taking a few classes at Notre Dame that have allowed him to produce his own work.
Albritton hopes to continue performing after graduating from Notre Dame. He’ll be taking a gap year to gain research and clinical experience before applying to medical school.
Hardin is currently applying to dental schools, also planning to pursue singing or performing in her free time. “I think I have to keep doing something creative.”
The two will be moving to Philadelphia.
Originally published by at science.nd.edu on May 13, 2026.