Julian Shapiro-Barnum

(he/him/his)

Quick Facts

• Acting major (CFA)
• Recess Therapy web series creator (2.7M Instagram followers)
• On the Forbes 2023 “30 Under 30” in Social Media list

“I went to BU’s Visiting Students weekend, and I immediately felt welcomed by the performing arts students. It was like being part of a small community within a bigger community. In fact, many of the creative partners, friends, and mentors that I have today, I met at BU.

What makes BU special is that it really gives you the space to take the reins and explore.

When I was developing my senior thesis, I fell in love with on-the-street interview work. One warm, spring day, I had the idea to ask kids on the playground how they were finding happiness in the pandemic. They shared an entirely different perspective. It was electrifying. Their answers were not only funny, they were insanely sincere. My professors understood why I was passionate about this project, and when I pitched the idea for a web series to a production company, they got it, too.

BU has so much to offer, and I don’t think I would be hosting Recess Therapy today if I didn’t dive into everything. What makes BU special is that it really gives you the space to take the reins and explore. It was a creative renaissance for me.”