Veterans Bryce Arter and Alexander Ekker reflect on their journey from the military to the arts

Students from many backgrounds and walks of life come together at UNCSA as they pursue a conservatory education — one that encourages them to discover and create meaningful art together. Some arrive as budding filmmakers, seasoned musicians, passionate theater makers, trained dancers or dedicated actors. Some seek out specialized programs or specific faculty. Some apply for high school; others for undergraduate or graduate studies. Some discover a passion for the arts as young adults and some were born with it.

Some students, like Bryce Arter (B.F.A. Design & Production ’28) and Alexander Ekker (B.F.A. Drama ’26), come to UNCSA following service in the United States military. Though the journey from the military to the arts may seem unclear at first, there is a strong connection between the two. Below, Arter and Ekker generously share their perspective as veterans and artists in honor and recognition of Veterans Day. We thank them, the many other UNCSA students, alumni, faculty and staff veterans, and veterans everywhere for there service.

Seeking direction through service

After graduating from high school, Arter and Ekker entered the military a year apart: Ekker enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2018 and Arter enlisted in the Navy in 2019. “I didn’t feel like I was really going anywhere when I graduated,” recalls Arter. “I had been thinking about the military because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.” Hesitant to take on the financial burden of college without feeling confident in a specific area of study, Arter decided to follow in his older brother’s footsteps and enlist.

For a long time I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I was having a difficult time figuring out where I wanted to go in life. I felt like I wasn’t worthy of what I had been given. Joining the military gave me the opportunity to humble myself and do something for other people.
Bryce Arter (B.F.A. D&P '28)

Ekker also followed a familial connection to the military. Both of his parents were Navy officers, but their careers didn’t influence his decision making. He, too, lacked direction and hoped that the military would offer structure and guidance. “For a long time I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I was having a difficult time figuring out where I wanted to go in life,” says Ekker. “I felt like I wasn’t worthy of what I had been given. Joining the military gave me the opportunity to humble myself and do something for other people.”

Both Arter and Ekker signed four-year contracts. Arter, who loved music and had performed in his high school marching band, hoped to join the United States Navy Band. Ultimately redirected to a job as an interior communications technician, he found that the responsibilities were extensive: “I was tasked with managing all of the phones, alarms, lights and indicators on a ship,” says Arter. “Every space on the ship tells you something… there’s a phone everywhere. There’s an intercom everywhere.”

Bryce Arter in is naval uniform. / Photo courtesy of Arter

Some ships in the fleet were newer than others and while many had similarities, there were key differences to consider across the available communications technology. He describes the role as being a jack of all trades and requiring a high degree of collaboration. Stationed primarily in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Arter had one deployment to the Mediterranean.

Ekker’s stint in the Marines began with a desire to be a breacher (focused on reducing explosive hazards), but he ultimately landed in a role as an anti-tank missile gunner. Trained to seek out missiles and tanks to take out enemy vehicles, he deployed twice to Okinawa, Japan.

Ekker is grateful to not have experienced the loss that can come with direct combat, but acknowledges that it can feel frustrating to be hired for a specific job without ever having the opportunity to perform it in the field. Much of his service felt like he was on standby. “I did get what I asked for, though,” he says, laughing. “I was humbled. I couldn’t keep up in training. I thought being strong was all I needed, but it took endurance and a mindset shift. I had to grow up a lot [when I joined the Marines].”

Choosing the arts

As he neared the end of his military contract, Arter considered different educational opportunities. “If I hadn’t served in the military, I might have chosen a different school,” he says. “But I had this experience on me and I felt like a more specialized school would benefit me the most for my time and money.” UNCSA checked the boxes he was looking for. “It’s nothing but working on your thing every day… even the DLA professors are arts-centric,” he adds.

If I hadn’t served in the military, I might have chosen a different school...but I had this experience on me and I felt like a more specialized school would benefit me the most for my time and money.
Bryce Arter, Design and Production B.F.A.

Arter drew from his passion for music and his experience as an electrician to choose his next career path: sound design. “I didn’t want to take a gamble,” explains Arter. “I like versatility and I like jobs that can transfer into other jobs easily. Sound design is similar to what I was used to doing.” Though he’s only in his first semester in the School of Design & Production, the learning is already hands-on — just like the majority of his military assignments. He’s working on main stage productions (like “The Wild Party,” along with Ekker) and completing classroom rotations to better understand and collaborate with various Design & Production programs.

Many technical skills from the Navy have found parallels in Arter’s sound design work as well. “Soldering cables, putting together electronics, working on circuit boards, wiring and cabling equipment… it’s all reminiscent of things I’m familiar with,” he says.

Bryce Arter working behind the scenes on the Fall 2024 School of Drama production of "The Wild Party."

Ekker’s journey to UNCSA was entirely different. As he approached the end of his contract, he considered whether to try a new career or move within the Marines to the special forces. “I didn’t want a sit down job,” says Ekker. “I wanted to tell stories. What if I could be part of telling other people’s stories?” His mother suggested that he try acting, a wholly unfamiliar concept to Ekker. “I didn’t even know what a monologue was,” he admits. Inspired in part by fellow Marine, conservatory graduate and award-winning actor Adam Driver, he decided to pursue formal acting training.

Researching UNC Chapel Hill led Ekker to discover UNCSA. A quick call to then-admissions counselor Bill Poole reassured him. “I asked if I needed experience,” recalls Ekker. “He told me that my lack of experience could be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how I chose to look at it.” He planned to audition for both schools, but ultimately chose to only pursue UNCSA. The rest, as they say, is history.

Alexander Ekker as Eddie in the Fall 2024 School of Drama production of "The Wild Party." / Photo: Luke Jamroz

“I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else,” he says. At UNCSA, Ekker has cultivated a deep appreciation and respect for theater along with discovering a love of acting for film. “It’s a different world for me,” he says. One which shares striking similarities with his experience in the Marines.

Just as he did when he enlisted, Ekker had to change a lot about himself and adjust his mindset to embrace the School of Drama’s conservatory training. “I was humbled there and I am here as well,” he says of his initial lack of familiarity with theater and professional acting. “I try to bring the respect, discipline and determination from the Marines to my study and practice at UNCSA,” he adds. “Even when days are difficult here, I never feel like something is out of reach. Everything can be accomplished through hard work. The Marines taught me that.”

I try to bring the respect, discipline and determination from the Marines to my study and practice at UNCSA.
Alexander Ekker, Drama B.F.A. '26

A continued education

Arter’s military experience offered him the chance to find himself and to build character. “It gave me something to rely on,” he says. And Ekker agrees. “I have different life experiences now,” he explains. “I want to use them to bring a different physicality to my acting. And I want to use what I have learned, and will continue to learn, to connect with people.”

“In the military it’s all on you,” he adds. “It’s on you to know the different drills, to know your teammates, to know commands… and to identify and assign value to things. You can’t just stop at knowing yourself. I learned how to be a leader… and I’m still learning.”

by Hannah Callaway

November 11, 2024