Elyse Venturella: The View from Her Mirror
While Elyse Venturella has played many different characters on stage, she may be facing her most difficult role on Scholarship Day, as she plays herself on the Tempest Theatre stage. Elyse – along with rest of the Acting II class – was given the difficult task of creating a production completely organically. First, the class members developed their characters by studying themselves and their mannerisms. Eventually, props and partners were added to see how characters would interact with each other and with objects. From there, a story was developed. After tossing around many different ideas, the class chose the most successful ones.
This production has taught Elyse the importance of teamwork communication and trusting others. “I have learned that if I can be comfortable with myself and fellow actors then we can escape with any audience into our world,” says Elyse. With the guidance of Prof. Terri Mastrobuono, the class learned to try new things, hear each other’s ideas, and understand the importance of a dedicated, goal-oriented team.
“It is important to take the voice and talent that you have been given and use it to your full advantage,” Elyse explains. “It takes one voice to be a leader. However, it takes many to make a change.”
Project Title: "The Event"
Date: Scholarship and Creative Arts Day 2008 – Tuesday, April 22
Faculty Mentors: Prof. Terri Mastrobuono
Elyse – shown above (center of photograph in the white sweatshirt) with some of the other performers in "The Event – is one of several student scholars from Elizabethtown’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts who will perform during Scholarship and Creative Arts Day 2008. An overview schedule is available on the Scholarship and Creative Arts Day webpage. A more detailed schedule of this and other events featuring the creativity and scholarship of Elizabethtown students will be available in mid-April
