For Khiyali Pillalamarri, pursuing a double major in Theater Studies and Mathematics is completely rational. Inspired by her grandmother’s mantra that “All knowledge is one,” the senior finds harmony in blending the creativity of the arts with the precision of mathematics, proving that logic and imagination can be two sides of the same equation.
Homeschooled until high school, Pillalamarri thrived in a world where exceptional math resources were always within reach, and she had the freedom to decide her path of study. She chose math.
“I fell in love with mind-bending paradoxes and awesome infinities, the ability to question even the most ‘obvious’ things such as 1+1=2 and the way that any valid algebraic manipulation was okay and couldn't go wrong,” she says.
She continued to forge her path at Duke, majoring in the subject and fully embracing the department as a member of the Duke University Math Union while also conducting research in 2022 and 2023 with Math+ (formerly Duke Opportunities in Math).
As a self-professed “intense theater kid,” Pillalamarri also dove into Theater Studies. Serving on the executive board of Duke Players for the past three years, she is currently the co-president, as well as a member of Hoof 'n' Horn and Duke Asian American Theater. She received the Theater Studies Award for Excellence in Directing and the Forlines Family Theater Studies Grant, which allowed her to attend Shakespeare & Company.
Pillalamarri appreciates that Theater Studies provides an environment where she can pursue her love of acting while exploring directing, producing, stage management, set design and lighting. So far, she’s participated in 17 Duke theater productions “involved at some level between ‘painted some bricks’ to ‘literally made the show happen,’” she shares.
If that wasn’t enough, she’s appearing in “ROFL,” a screenplay by fellow STEAM@Duke student Nik Narain, and designing lights for “Dance Nation” this semester. She’s also a member of Trinity Ambassadors, Duke Diya and Blue Devils United.
The busy senior found time to sit down with us to discuss what Math and Theater Studies bring to her personal development, thoughts on the arts environment at Duke and her post-grad plans.
Have you found that your double major has benefits beyond the classroom?
Absolutely. Both majors contribute to my overall development as an artist and individual, allowing me to push the boundaries of what I can experience. To quote Paul Lockhart, "The first thing to know is that mathematics is an art.” Math’s art form allows me to visualize shapes, structures, numbers, logical rules and patterns. In theater, I create characters, set designs, scripts and stories.
Theater also helps me to feel words with my whole body, while math allows me to find stranger and stranger ways of thinking until it's not just my brain spinning but my whole self.
In your experience, does Duke provide an environment where students can include an arts discipline in their studies?
I find Duke to be a place that encourages a multidisciplinary approach to education. I’ve met students and professors with uncommon dual interests, not just in STEM and the arts. It’s delightful that I’m not the only one in the math-theater corner anymore! However, while Duke frequently promotes the idea of combining “____ AND art,” I think it’s important to recognize that art is an inherent part of every field of study.
With a few months left until graduation, what are your plans?
I’ve been busy applying to jobs and to graduate schools in Theater, particularly those focused on Shakespeare. I think that I'm going to be the happiest in a theater — whether acting, directing, teaching, stage managing or something along those lines.
