Student in the Spotlight: Jason VanMill

  This week's Student in the Spotlight is...

      Jason VanMill!

    Jason VanMill is a fourth year student at EMU majoring in Entertainment Design and Technology and Communications/Media/Theatre Arts! Jason has worked as an assistant stage manager for White as Snow Red as Blood: The Story of Snow White, Urinetown, Wedding Band: A Love Hate Story in Black and White, and Tintypes. He also stage managed The Shape of Things last year and is currently stage managing our upcoming production of Legally Blonde! When asked what his favorite show to work on was he said, "I liked them all for different reasons. They've taught me different things. My favorite would have to be Snow White. It was my first time as an assistant stage manager and Jenny Koppera is fantastic. It was a great way to introduce me into stage management."
   Jason's dream show to work on is Ragtime, "I think the music is beautiful; I love how layered it is. Now matter how many times I see or listen to it it always moves me to tears," he said.

    His favorite memory of EMU Theatre is, "All the people I've met along the way and all of the different things you take away from them. It's (EMU) a great environment. Everyone is really supportive of each other."
    After graduation Jason said, "I would love to get an internship and eventually stage manage in the real world. I would really like to do more directing too."

Student in the Spotlight: Anthony Petrucci

     This week's Student in the Spotlight is...

      Anthony Petrucci!

    Anthony Petrucci is a first year MA candidate at EMU studying Interpretation and Performance Studies! Anthony has performed in Guys and Dolls, Urinetown, in his undergad and this year he has worked on Dr. Faustus and Androcles and the Lion. Dr. Faustus is his favorite show he has worked on at Eastern! Anthony's dream show to work on is The Addams Family, "It was one of my favorite shows growing up.  I loved watching the movies and cartoons. It's something that I've loved since I was a little kid," he said. (Notice his hairless scalp? He's actually gearing up to play Uncle Fester in a local production of Addams Family!)
Anthony is also our full-time graduate assistant in our scene shop! Part of his responsibilities include being the lab technician for all the shows that take place in our lab theatre including our upcoming Student Written Student Directed One Act Festival!!!
    His favorite memory of EMU Theatre is, "When Jahmeel Powers and I got to accept our Notscar (now called Fauxneys) for 'Partners in Crime'."
    After graduation he plans to, "Get accepted into an MFA program and find a job teaching theatre at a University."

Student in the Spotlight: Joey Kulza

     This week's Student in the Spotlight is...

      Joey Kulza!

    Joey Kulza is a senior at EMU majoring in Theatre Arts! Joey has performed in Fiddler on the Roof, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, To Kill A Mockingbird, and was most recently seen as Stanley in The Birthday Party!! The Birthday Party is his favorite show he has worked on at Eastern! Joey has always wanted to work on A Streetcar Named Desire, "I really like the role of Stanley," he said. (We're sensing a theme between Joey and characters named Stanley. Hmm...)

    Joey is also on props crew for our upcoming production of Legally Blonde!  
    His favorite memory of EMU Theatre is, "Bagels, fresh Bagels!" (If you saw our production of Fiddler on the Roof, then you will know exactly what he's talking about)
    After graduation he plans on, "Pursuing an acting career in Chicago."

Student in the Spotlight: Sarah Erlewine

  

This week's Student in the Spotlight is... 
Sarah Erlewine!

      Sarah Erlewine is an MA Candidate in Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young! She has been seen in the Theatre for the Young touring show Taking Off! She is also a member of the Educational Theatre Collaborative! Sarah has always wanted to work on the musical Company, "It just resonates with me, I like that it is small and intimate, which a lot of musicals aren't; and the music is just great!

         Her favorite memory of EMU Theatre is, "The first time I saw someone wearing one of the Dr. Faustus t-shirts I designed."

    Sarah is also our current Student Graphic Designer for the department, "To walk down the halls and see my work everywhere is kind of thrilling." She is the one who designs all of the graphics, brochures, and posters that we send out to you! When asked what she liked most about her job she said, "To see people enjoying my work is definitely one of my favorite parts." If you are interested in seeing more of her work, or to inquire about her graphic design services visit her portfolio here!

      

    Sarah will be graduating this April following the winter semester! After graduation shewould like to keep designing preferably for a Theatre for Young Audiences company, or one that has a TYA department. "I consider what I do in marketing as advocacy for theatre," she happily said.