We wanted to get to
know more about our Theatre Minors, so we have started to ask them each five
questions… The first Theatre Minor we asked is Alyssa Lardi and here’s what she
told us.
What do you love about theatre?
I love how theatre can be so different yet similar. When I
tell people I'm a theatre minor, sometimes they'll respond with "Oh plays
are so boring" or "God I can't stand musicals," but there are so
many different kinds and levels of theatre that it's impossible to not find
SOMETHING you can enjoy. Theatre allows you to go anywhere and be anyone- a
stressed and overwhelmed student director one week (first photo--I am on the right,
attempting to troubleshoot blocking issues), a secret agent the next, and an
Elf a month later (in the second photo, I am in the bottom right in pink wig and green jacket--I'll never get to dress this fashionably again). It's also a craft that employs
all kinds of people with all kinds of interests, and everyone can feel that
their work is important and they belong. Whether it's people working on
Broadway, community theatre, improv groups, school plays, musicals,
Shakespeare, introductory classes- there's always a bond among those who
appreciate theatre and you can always find something you have in common.
What's one show you would love to be a part of one day?
I've been in love with the musical Spring Awakening since my
freshman year of high school, and have seen it six times during three different
productions. It's amazing to me how you go from all the issues the young
characters face- suicide, child abuse, acceptance, religion, abortion- to a
song named "Totally Fucked" which is literally a carefree rocking out
party on stage. The music is beautiful and the show itself is quite
eye-opening, so it's definitely a dream production for me.
What inspired you to become a Theatre Minor?
I've been involved with theatre for my entire life, and
freshman fall semester was the first time since about 4th grade that I wasn't
involved with a production. I knew I wasn't going to just stop being involved
and had friends who were majors, so I decided to look into the minor. It seemed
like the perfect opportunity to stay active and really start learning about all
of the aspects of theatre. I like the structure of the minor because it's not
too overwhelming for a person with a time-consuming major, but still allows me
to branch out into new disciplines and take courses I'm interested in.
My major is American Sign Language/English Interpreting,
which means facilitating communication between hearing people who use spoken
English and Deaf/Hard of Hearing people who use ASL. If you've ever seen a
person signing during an important press conference or interpreting for famous
Deaf people like Marlee Matlin or Nyle DiMarco, those are a few settings
interpreters can work in. I took ASL in high school and came to Bloomsburg
specifically for the interpreting program, because I am absolutely in love with
the language, the communities, and the profession (even though it's a LOT of
work and extremely difficult). Adding a theatre minor was also a practical
career choice, as theatrical interpreting is a field I may wish to pursue and
background knowledge of what happens both on stage and behind the scenes will
be extremely beneficial.
If you were a fruit or vegetable, what would you be?
I won't lie, I thought the most about this question. After a
lot of personal debate and soul searching, I think would be an Apple, because they're
honestly the most superior fruit. They go with caramel, peanut butter,
chocolate, and in pies or other amazing desserts. Also, I'd get to be in a ton
of Instagram and Facebook posts in fall when all of us New Yorkers visit
orchards and spend the day apple picking.
