Theatre
Mackenzie Quinn '25
Why did you decide to study theatre?
Theatre is my passion! I love learning more about things that I'm passionate about. Not only that, but the program is honestly great. We have great professors, and our productions are all-around fantastic.
What classes have been your favorite so far?
Personally, my favorite classes I've taken were Improv and Musical Theatre Performance. Improv was such a fun class, and there was a lot of interesting stuff to learn about it (not just how to do it), and musical theatre is something I've been doing since I was a kid, so getting some more in-depth college teaching was really helpful!
Tell us about a unique experience or project you’ve worked on for your major.
My first year at Whitworth, I was given the opportunity to play the role of Nostradamus in our production of Something Rotten. It was my first lead role ever and my first role at Whitworth. Everyone was so welcoming and caring. It really made my first theatre experience great!
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in theatre?
JUST DO IT! I hear too often about the people who really wanted to major in theatre but decided it wasn’t worth it either because of the job market or because they are worried they aren't good enough. JUST DO IT! You will regret it later in life if you don't! You want to be here, and we want you to be here… So be here!
What's your dream job?
I've got two actually. Firstly, I'd love to be on Broadway or any other professional stage doing what I love for a living. Secondly, I’d love to be a musical theatre professor or high school teacher. I think teaching is a great way for me to spread my passion!
Who are three people who have made a difference for you at Whitworth?
- Erica Salkin, my advisor: She's a wonderful human being and I love just being around her.
- The BMac community (Ballard and McMillan residence halls). I've lived in Ballard every year, and honestly I really love it. It's always had my back, and I've made some really close friends there.
- Angela Pierson (theatre faculty member). She's so strong-willed and passionate about what she does. I want to be like her when I grow up.
Why did you choose to attend Whitworth?
I loved the community that I felt as soon as I stepped onto campus. I just immediately felt at home. I've lived in Spokane all my life, so going someplace else excited me but also scared me. Whitworth is the best of both worlds, where I can be away from home but also go home whenever I want.
What is something that has surprised you about your major?
There's so much that goes into acting. I've taken classes like Performance Theory, Acting Fundamentals, Stagecraft and even a Theatre History class. It's bananas how much goes into it. But it's so worth it!
Joseph Henson '23
Why did you decide to study theatre?
Theatre is something I am really passionate about, and I want to go into a field that I really care about. Whitworth also has pretty high employment rates after graduation, so that was reassuring going into a competitive field.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
My favorite classes have been Musical Theatre with Andy Christensen and Stage Makeup & Costume Construction with Aaron Dyszelski. Musical Theatre taught us useful hands-on content, and Andy really helped me develop my voice and my style. Aaron's class helped me get out of my comfort zone and try something new because I had never been good at putting on makeup and I had never tried my hand at sewing or costume construction either.
Tell us about a unique experience you've had or project you've worked on for your major.
In the fall of my freshman year, I was in the main-stage production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and it was a blast! Our auditorium was under construction at the time, so we performed at the Bing Crosby Theater downtown. It was so much fun to have these crazy costumes and speak Shakespearean language in front of hundreds! I have had several projects since then but none quite on that big of a scale.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in theatre?
If you're thinking about majoring in theatre, a lot of people will tell you that it is a waste of time and money. But Whitworth does a great job of setting students up for success and opening doors for them. And in any case, doing what you love and growing and challenging yourself is never a waste of time or money. Our department is talented but not competitive; we work as one big team, and the faculty does a good job of teaching us as well as giving us the freedom to teach ourselves through experience.
What's your dream job?
My dream job changes every six months it seems, but at the moment, I would love to work as a performer for Disney Parks. It would be a great opportunity for me to perform for live audiences. I also have a passion for improv, so I would love to work in a setting that is constantly changing.
Who has been an important connection for you at Whitworth, and why?
I have built an important relationship with Professor Andy Christensen. He directed me in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Working: The Musical, and he has taught me in two classes. I love his style, and even outside of the classroom, he has taught me so much about theatre and that there are more job opportunities after graduation than just Broadway or Hollywood. He constantly pushes me to work harder and challenge myself to be the best that I can be.
What's something that surprised you or might surprise other students about your major?
It is common for theatre departments or clubs to be toxic environments fueled by jealousy, competition and resentment. Whitworth is not one of those departments. Between main-stage productions, the Festival of Short Plays, Stage II productions, senior projects and independent projects, there are always opportunities, which eliminates a lot of toxic competition.
Kendall Cavin '23
Why did you decide to study theatre?
I have always liked to blame my mom for getting me into musical theatre when she made me a mix CD filled with showtunes during my formative years, but others will claim that I have always been drawn to the dramatic. My parents exposed me to theatre productions at the local community college when I was quite young, and I was so enamored by the experiences that I started to perform in community theatre as soon as I could. Luckily for me, theatre opportunities were abundant in my hometown and I got the chance to perform in a wide variety of musicals and plays from the age of 10 onward. I discovered that theatre was a hobby that I was passionate about and I felt connected to the people I worked with, so when I realized I could make a living from performing and bringing people joy, majoring in theatre when I came to Whitworth was only natural.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
Interestingly enough, I have liked my theatre design classes the most. As an actor who is rarely involved in the technical roles of the theatre world, the classes in costume, set and makeup design allowed me to appreciate the specialized types of work that go into those aspects of theatre as well as gave me the chance to put my own twists on projects and create designs that I know an actor would enjoy
Tell us about a unique experience you've had or project you've worked on for your major.
1) Students in other majors usually do not have to experience the panic of running into their RAs after "gender swap day" in your stage makeup class and trying to hastily explain why you suddenly have a waxed moustache and goatee.
2) Sometimes I get the pleasure of being invited by other theatre majors to perform in their Directing showcases, where I get the opportunity to come into my friends' classrooms to throw chairs around and scream bloody murder or attempt my best impression of Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in theatre?
If you're looking to be a Whitworth theatre major, make sure to get involved with the department. I highly encourage you to attend events, meet people and audition for everything you are able to. I also advise any prospective theatre major to be dependable – strive to be a person that people can rely on. Being easy to work with is the most valuable trait to have in the industry. Taking the time to create lasting connections and learning how to collaborate and effectively work with people are advantageous skills to learn and curate. Oh, and always have few monologues on hand at all times – just in case.
What's your dream job?
Currently, my dream job is to be a voice actor. I would love to voice animated characters, video game non-player characters, or perhaps even a Disney or DreamWorks character if I get the chance. The majority of my humor consists of bad impressions or creating eccentric characters who have silly accents, so you can see it would really be a shame to put that talent to waste. I enjoy making people laugh, so I would love to someday be compared to an off-brand Jim Carrey or Robin Williams.
Who has been an important connection for you at Whitworth, and why?
The faculty members in our theatre department have created such a welcoming and nurturing environment. Through my studies, I have felt supported and encouraged as well as challenged through their endeavors. The instructors expect great work from their students, so they constantly push us to improve and strengthen our performance skills and abilities. However, as much as they expect quality work from their students, it is evident how much the theatre department cares for the well-being and comfort of their students.
What's something that surprised you or might surprise other students about your major?
Studying theatre takes much more introspection than you would think. In order to play characters authentically, the work requires you to dig into the text and find the difficult questions to ask. Being a theatre major means that you must develop strong critical analysis skills and the ability to make heartfelt and confident choices in your acting and scene studies.