Luka Marjanovic has always had an affinity for telling stories. As a youth, he quickly realized that he also wanted to “play in the sandboxes” he created; acting became the perfect vessel for showcasing the stories he thought were worth telling. During his freshman year of high school, Luka joined the Youth Theater in his home city, and the die was cast.

At Ramapo College of New Jersey, Marjanovic majors in Theater with a concentration in acting and a minor in creative writing. After he graduates in 2022, he plans to attend graduate school, but also intends to make an impact with acting — locally, of course, but ultimately, as an international artist whose home country is Bosnia and Herzegovina, he would like to reach the whole world.

“As an International artist, I believe that I have an original viewpoint on the world and that I am full of stories that might change how the Western world looks at the Eastern European block,” Marjanovic said. “And the region I come from might value a more realistic depiction of the Western world we are constantly trying to reach.”

At Ramapo College, Marjanovic writes Arts and Entertainment reviews for the Ramapo News. He is also the captain of the comedy improv troupe, the Fooligans. That’s when he is happiest — on stage with kindred comedy spirits.

Marjanovic admits that he hasn’t been particularly active on the issue of racism. Even though he has witnessed many microaggressions in his home country and the United States, he always felt as though it wasn’t his place to intervene. Marjanovic desires to become better at calling out social justice issues when they arise without experiencing a high level of anxiety. He said he was drawn to the Writing Wrongs program for precisely these reasons.

“I want to be someone who teaches now, who points out, who showcases not only the faults of a country where I am white immigrant, where I become an immigrant only when I open my mouth and my accent becomes noticeable, but also the ways in which the country continues to try and improve itself. I want to help find meaningful solutions. I want to learn how to teach someone else, but I first have to learn how to learn more effectively as well.”

When he is not acting, memorizing lines, or studying, Marjanovic enjoys writing and reading, playing video games, watching movies, playing tennis, and running. The number one item on his bucket list? He’d like to see the play and movie he recently wrote be fully produced.

Marjanovic’s wish for the world stands at the intersection of economics, work, happiness. He has never met a person who did not want to work, but he has seen many jobs that do not pay a sustainable wage. Many people have the potential to make a profound impact on the world, and they should be able to do that without the economic burden of being in a career field that traditionally does not pay much money. He believes that everyone should have the opportunity to do the job they love and be able to financially support themselves and whomever they share their lives with.

When he is not acting, memorizing lines, or studying, Marjanovic enjoys writing and reading, playing video games, watching movies, playing tennis, and running.

The number one item on his bucket list? He’d like to see the play and movie he recently wrote be fully produced.