ONE NSU MAGAZINE decor, linens, props, and other essential services. During their formative years, the Zadak sisters participated in various event setups, where they learned about the magic of the event industry. “People could breathe fire, and food could float from the ceiling. Being an adult didn’t mean life had to be boring, at least not in our mom’s world. Anyone who is involved with a family business knows you are always enmeshed in a little bit of everything when it comes to the business. Our mom has a passion for business, and through Balloonatics, we learned so much about business by helping however we could,” the sisters recalled. “We began working in the company as soon as we could hold on to a balloon and be trusted not to let go. As a result, we learned professionalism very fast,” they added. “We were also exposed to incredible people and innovators. Our dad taught us strength and patience in making these events come to life, as many require more effort and attention. We were involved in making things happen in every aspect of the business.” Their parents also introduced them to classic TV programs, including The Carol Burnett Show, Friends, Frasier, and The Golden Girls. “Our parents had a lot to do with our comedic roots,” they admitted. “We didn’t realize it at the time, but this was our improv training. Our dad would retell jokes or replay scenes with us from these shows during commercial breaks. Later, when we joined the high school drama club, we discovered we already knew about certain theater techniques we picked up from these shows. Our childhood was filled with so much support and love that, when we started to become interested in music and theater, our interests were welcomed and encouraged.” NSU EXPANDS THEIR HORIZONS Because of their family’s close ties to the university, the decision to attend NSU was an easy one for the sisters to make. Angelica Zadak earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Humanities from the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences in 2015, followed by a Master of Arts in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media with a focus on improv research in 2021. Because she had dual interests, Alexandra Zadak received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences with a minor in psychology in 2018. “NSU has always been part of our lives. When we were little, our mom would take us to the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center to play and read while she studied, and we 56 “NSU HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF OUR LIVES. ONCE WE BECAME STUDENTS, WE WERE MADE TO FEEL AT HOME AND CARED FOR BY THE FACULTY MEMBERS.”
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