Just a few months after walking the graduation stage, School of Theatre, Film & Television alum Holden Jones (BFA Musical Theatre, ’25) has taken his talents to the high seas. Now a featured vocalist aboard the Oceania Marina – one of Oceania Cruises’ eight deluxe ships accommodating 1,250 passengers – Holden is spending six months performing for audiences while traveling to nearly 100 cities across more than 30 countries, from the Mediterranean and the United Kingdom to South America.
We caught up with Holden to hear how his time at TFTV prepared him for this exciting opportunity, what life is like on board, and how he brought a dream role to life.
Walk us through the journey to this moment since your graduation last May.
The journey has been such an amazing experience so far. After receiving this job through an audition on campus in May, I traveled to Florida in July for five weeks of rehearsals. From there, we flew to London to set sail on the Oceania Marina. For the past two weeks, we finalized the installation process, putting the finishing touches on our shows, and we’ve now officially opened everything on board. It’s been a whirlwind, but truly a dream come true!
What has been rewarding and/or challenging during your preparations for this show?
Living on a cruise ship and performing every day is such a blessing, and it’s so meaningful to connect with the guests and see how my performances impact their experience on board. It’s also been incredible to meet and work with people from all around the world while traveling and experiencing so many different cultures. The biggest challenge has been adjusting to ship life and being away from home, family, and friends, but my cast is truly amazing. We’ve already grown so close that it feels like a family, which makes all the difference.
Who at TFTV inspired you and why, and what did you learn at TFTV that has been valuable as you make your way into the industry?
Two professors immediately come to mind. First, Christie Kerr, who as head of the program and one of my dance professors, really helped prepare me for this moment. I’m a vocalist on the ship, but when one of our male dancers got injured and had to go home, I was asked to step into some of his tracks. Thanks to the training and encouragement I received from Christie, I felt prepared and confident to rise to the challenge.
I also think of Jamie Reed, my vocal coach and music director. So much of the repertoire I’m singing on board are songs we worked on together during my time at the University of Arizona, and the lessons I had with her gave me the confidence and versatility I rely on now. She also shared her own experiences performing on cruise ships, which has been so valuable as I navigate this journey myself.
Both of these professors, along with the entire TFTV faculty, have shaped me as a performer and prepared me to take this next step into the industry.