Students at the University of Florida gathered outside the University Auditorium on Thursday evening for a highly anticipated event featuring Emmy Award-winning actress Britt Lower. Known for her portrayal of Helly R. in the acclaimed Apple TV series “Severance,” Lower captivated an audience eager to learn about her career and insights into the creative process.
This event marked the second appearance of the semester for the Student Government-run Accent Speakers Bureau, which has a rich history of hosting notable personalities. Lower follows “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston, who spoke in August. The speakers bureau, established in 1967, has previously invited celebrities including Tim Tebow and Ke Huy Quan.
Lower’s performance in “Severance” earned her the 2025 Emmy Award for Best Leading Actress in a Drama Series. The show explores the lives of employees at Lumon Industries, who undergo a radical procedure aimed at separating their personal and work lives. Lower’s diverse career also includes roles in shows like “Man Seeking Woman” and “Unforgettable.”
As the clock struck 7 p.m., the auditorium buzzed with excitement. Among the students was 22-year-old neuroscience and English major Sarah Garfield, who expressed her enthusiasm for attending. “We’re all really big ‘Severance’ fans. We even had a big ‘Severance’ watch party last semester,” she shared, highlighting the personal connection many attendees had to Lower’s work.
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When Lower took the stage alongside Ted Spiker, the associate dean of undergraduate affairs at the College of Journalism and Communications, the room erupted in cheers. In her address, she emphasized her lifelong passion for the arts, recalling her upbringing in a creative household with a mother who ran a face-painting business.
Lower’s journey as an actress began early, playing a snowman in a school Christmas play and later choosing to focus on theater over basketball in high school. “I had a more of a connection to when I was embodying a character and taking myself through a story,” she recounted, reflecting on the pivotal decisions that shaped her career.
While attending Northwestern University, she delved deep into theater, honing her skills in acting and improv. Her experiences in improv, which she initially pursued to overcome her fear, proved beneficial in her later roles by enhancing her ability to portray characters’ complexities through comedic timing.
During the discussion about her role in “Severance,” Lower noted that everyone possesses aspects of Helly’s character, igniting self-reflection about identity in varying environments. She shared her creative approach, often sketching scenes to immerse herself in her character’s mindset, stressing the value of creativity across different fields.
Offering advice to aspiring artists, she encouraged students to embrace mistakes in their journeys. “Make mistakes fast, and don’t be afraid to fail,” she said, emphasizing the liberation that comes from accepting imperfection.
When a student questioned whether she would ever want to sever a part of her life, Lower firmly responded no. Even uncomfortable experiences, she emphasized, can lead to profound moments of beauty. “If I zoom out and look at my experiences in life, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the things that really hurt,” she asserted.
Students left the event inspired by Lower’s authenticity and engagement. Gabriella Garibaldi, a psychology senior, reflected on how insightful Lower’s discussion about her creative process was for her as a theater enthusiast. Similarly, Samhitha Katuru, a junior in psychology and anthropology, found value in Lower’s advice on making mistakes quickly and loudly as crucial life lessons.
The atmosphere in the auditorium underscored a collective excitement, as students connected not only with Lower’s artistry but also with her down-to-earth wisdom, creating a memorable evening that left a lasting impact.
