Kelsey Werpy
Major: Theatre
Minors: Dance, Film Studies
Hometown: Brookings, South Dakota
Graduation Year: 2023
Why did you choose 成人视频?
I chose 成人视频 because of the theatre program. It felt very open and welcoming, and I saw that there were a lot of opportunities within the different areas of theatre.
What drew you to your major?
I did theatre in high school which was when my love of storytelling really blossomed. I enjoy getting to be a part of bringing a production to life in order to share a story with the audience.
Who has had the greatest impact on your time at 成人视频?
There have been many people that have impacted my time at 成人视频. I feel like the people who have had the greatest impact on me though are my siblings. My brother and sister have also attended 成人视频. They are both so supportive of all of the activities that I participate in, and they are also so willing to help me when I have questions about school. Both of them come to the theatrical productions that I am a part of to show their support.
What is your most memorable 成人视频 experience?
I have found the connections that I have made in the theatre department to be really memorable. I really enjoyed going to KCACTF last year with a group of theatre students and being able to build those friendships and appreciate theatre at the conference.
What activities have you been involved in on campus?
I have been involved in the theatre department, and I am currently the Stage Manager for our upcoming production. Also, I am a member of the honorary theatre fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega. I have also been involved within my dorm community as the President of our Hall Government.
What has been your favorite class? Why?
Honestly, I have learned so much in all of my theatre and dance classes, but I have to say that my favorite class has been Intro to Acting. Intro to Acting was my first theatre class and my first step into my theatre major. It also was a really fun experience.
Skyllar Schoening
Major: Theatre
Minor: Communication Studies
Hometown: Roseau, Minnesota (20 minutes away from the Canadian Border)!
Graduation year: 2024
Why did you choose 成人视频?
成人视频鈥檚 theatre program is *chef鈥檚 kiss.* I walked onto the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Stage and my breath was taken away. A fantastic experience. And one that truly made me want to come here.
What drew you to your major?
I鈥檝e been an entertainer for my entire life. I have always told myself that my biggest goal in my journey is to entertain others. Theatre is a great way to express that.
Who has had the greatest impact on your time at 成人视频?
A few people who鈥檇 I would like to call my 鈥淎cting Babies鈥 (even though we鈥檙e all in the same freshman class. I鈥檓 just an old fart) but they have been HUGE cheerleaders in my college career here at 成人视频. They may not see it, but I鈥檓 forever grateful for them.
What is your most memorable 成人视频 experience?
My most memorable experience at 成人视频 would be getting to find people (friends, faculty, dorm mates, etc.) that want to make sure I鈥檓 doing okay and making sure I鈥檓 staying on top of all my homework and having stable health.
What activities have you been involved in on campus?
I鈥檝e been heavily involved with the College Forensics Team, led by the iconic Andrea Carlile. I get to act, public speak and do all the presentation things I love doing like I do on stage.
What has been your favorite class? Why?
My favorite class... hands down would have to be Intro to Acting. I always believe in 鈥渟peaking your passion鈥 and Jim Wood鈥檚 class provides me to express my artistry and emotions (both comedic and dramatic) through the scripts and dances I present.
Betsey Williams
Major: Theatre
Minors: Film Studies
Hometown: Emporia, Kansas
Graduation year: 2023
Why did you choose 成人视频?
I chose 成人视频 because when I first stepped on the stage in the Proscenium theatre it felt like this was exactly where I am supposed to be. I also was able to meet with JD on a visit and Corey over the summer before I started. The meetings I had with them really solidified that 成人视频 was the place for me because I knew that the professors in this program would always have a moment to chat with their students. I also knew that they would help to push me in all areas of theatre whether that be acting, designing, in the shop or other technical aspects.
What drew you to your major?
I started theatre my junior year of high school and it really was a leap of faith. After that first performance I had caught the bug and just wanted to do more! I continued to act and also started to become interested in the design areas. When I got to 成人视频 I had the opportunity to work with Corey and Billy as well as upperclassman who introduced me into the tech areas such as lighting and costuming. I also had the opportunity this summer to work on a TV show as an extra. That experience really solidified everything for me. Being able to work in that atmosphere and see how a real set runs was the final push I needed to know that acting and working in design is what I want to do for the rest of my life!
Who has had the greatest impact on your time at 成人视频?
I think all of the professors have had an impact on me in some way. Each of them helped me in their own respected area and are always available and willing to answer my never-ending questions. Their impact has helped shape me into the performer, designer, dancer and person that I am today!
What is your most memorable 成人视频 experience?
My most memorable 成人视频 experience would probably be Haunted Trail and College Gameday in 2019. Haunted Trail was the same weekend as College Gameday, and I remember running off of maybe three hours of sleep for the game because we had Haunted Trail Friday night and I had been crazy enough to wake up early to stand in line to see the show on the college green Saturday morning! The experience was very fun and memorable and the energy in the air was unforgettable! Haunted Trail was also memorable for me because I was able to meet and connect with a vast amount of people who I had not previously known!
What activities have you been involved in on campus?
For activities on campus I am a part of The Conspiracy Theory Club and Black Students Alliance. I am a Community Assistant in Young Hall, and also a member of the theatre honor fraternity Alpha Psi Omega! I have also worked in the costume shop, scene shop, box office and with the lighting crew. As well as being involved in all the theatre productions in some way whether that is acting, designing, scanning tickets, working in the shops, box office or whatever else needs to happen!
What has been your favorite class? Why?
My favorite class that I have taken so far is Makeup! I did not know much about makeup before I took the class and I learned tons of different applications and also had the opportunity to be super creative in the looks I made. It was definitely a challenge, but I enjoyed getting to create a new look each week and explore the world of makeup design and application!
Brady Wright
Major: Mathematics: Specialization in Teaching
Minors: Theatre
Hometown: Rock Rapids, Iowa
Graduation year: 2022
Why did you choose 成人视频?
I chose 成人视频 because I was originally an electrical engineering major, so the engineering department drew me in. However, it was because of the theatre department that I stayed at 成人视频 when I switched to Math Education.
What drew you to your major?
My family鈥檚 鈥渢rade鈥 is teaching. Even when I was an electrical engineering major, I was thinking it鈥檇 be cool to come back to a college and teach rather than do actual engineering work. Math is my favorite subject, and I knew I would love to teach math someday, just like my dad.
Who has had the greatest impact on your time at 成人视频?
The theatre department faculty, hands down. And it鈥檚 not just one professor over the other. The theatre faculty at 成人视频, all five of them, don鈥檛 treat you just as a student but as a member of the family. And it was great as a freshman coming in and feeling like I belonged right away.
What is your most memorable 成人视频 experience?
Capers my freshman year. That鈥檚 where I met my girlfriend, I opened Capers by singing The Greatest Show, and it was such a fun experience being able to do goofy stuff with not just theatre students, but students all across campus.
What activities have you been involved in on campus?
Primarily, theatre. I鈥檝e worked in the scene shop, prop shop, costume shop, light/sound shop and done odd jobs from time to time. Thus far, I have been in 6 State University Theatre shows, being cast in 2 others, plus 2 Capers. I love performing, and I hope I never stop.
I鈥檓 also a member of the Council of Teachers of Mathematics through 成人视频, and I鈥檝e been a practice player for the girls鈥 basketball team here on campus.
What has been your favorite class? Why?
Intermediate acting. I was a freshman, thinking I was a good actor, but then I took intermediate acting with JD Ackman, and I learned so much in those 16 weeks. I learned to love realistic plays, I learned different tactics when portraying a certain character and I was able to do scenes from popular plays. It鈥檚 my most memorable and most fun class that I鈥檝e taken at 成人视频.
Grant Gunderson
Major: Data Science and Theatre
Minors: N/A
Hometown: Brandon, South Dakota
Graduation year: 2024
Why did you choose 成人视频?
I chose 成人视频 because I needed a campus that had great opportunities with both Data Science and Theatre; in addition, I could not think of getting rid of either of them. Despite the COVID-19 restraints, I also really want a bigger school because I love interacting with people and being social. The stars just aligned in the sense that 成人视频 has a wonderful Theatre and Math department as well as a large campus. Also, my parents met at 成人视频 and my brother is currently enrolled so I have had a connection to 成人视频 practically my whole life.
What drew you to your major?
When I eventually decided on Data Science and Theatre, it was because I couldn鈥檛 imagine living without either of them. The combination of the two allows me to be incredibly analytical, but also to let loose and have fun. I have always loved math probably a little more then I should, and from the moment I joined Theatre, I knew it would become a major part of my life. Long story short, I love them both immensely.
Who has had the greatest impact on your time at 成人视频?
For me, I would say it would have to be Morea Nichols. I want to preface by saying that everyone I have met up at 成人视频 has been so kind, but Morea really helped me feel welcome from almost Day 1. I was not sure how different Theatre would be up at 成人视频, so I was definitely nervous going into that first night at McCrory Gardens. Morea was so sweet to hang out with and welcoming even though I was a new freshman. Basically, she was just an awesome person who showed me how amazing Theatre up at 成人视频 can be, especially in our Ghost Stories group, which was amazing!! 馃槉
What is your most memorable 成人视频 experience?
My most memorable 成人视频 experience would probably have to be performing Reflections at McCrory Gardens. It was such a fun experience to be a part of, but also my group bonded a lot. We joked and danced around, took funny pictures and played a lot of ninja. Overall, I don鈥檛 think I鈥檒l ever forget those performance days because I got to spend a lot of time hanging out with my group whom I loved.
What activities have you been involved in on campus?
I have been involved Reflections at McCrory Gardens, Ghost Stories at McCrory and The Living. I am also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
What has been your favorite class? Why?
I feel like my answer to this question is a little unexpected. I love all my classes but I love my coding class a lot more than I thought I would. INFO 101. I have gotten to really know my professor and crack jokes with him. He begins every classes with a series of puns and jokes, which from day 1 I was like 鈥渢his is amazing.鈥 He also brought in his bagpipes and played for the class. Essentially, I just like his teaching style, jokes and how he overall makes the class fun.