Theater Spotlight
What began as a small drama club has since budded into a full-fledged theater arts program. One that not only provides students with the opportunity to minor in Dramatic Studies but also challenges and inspires the creative mind through storytelling and Christ-centered teachings. This incredible opportunity was brought about by Professor Lisa Peretti, who took the Drama club under her wing during her time at NU from 2001-2007 and helped develop it into the full academic program it is today. Now the program is run by our English and Drama professor, Chrystal Helmcke, who had a few things to say about the expectations and experiences of the NU Theater community.
What do students bring to the program?
Number one: Authenticity, especially for the students who are working to earn a theater scholarship. This is followed closely by a healthy dose of curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to take risks. While dedication and commitment to the chosen role or job is important in Theater, it is just as important for students to have fun while challenging themselves to reach greater heights and discover themselves in ways they might never have before. All of this is capsulated by a Christ-centered way of relating to their peers, in addition to recognizing that our primary commitment is to our Christian Faith.
What do students get out of the program?
Whether or not a student is participating for a class, a scholarship, or for fun, we hope that students will gain a greater appreciation for the craft itself, particularly in the art of storytelling through theater. All the elements of theater production such as acting, running lights, and designing costumes contribute to telling the story. Each one is set in place to grab the audience’s attention and suspend their disbelief before the curtain draws to a close. But most importantly, we hope they gain a greater appreciation for God’s love for His creation. In theater, we develop a deeper understanding of humanity in its brokenness and sinfulness, but also the longing for redemption in God’s grace. In this way, we are always looking for ways to help our students see God at work in the world through the stories we tell.
Have there been students who’ve successfully gone on to pursue a career through the performing arts?
Kelsey Rainwater is an NU Alumni who graduated around 2010 and went on to get her Master’s in Fine Arts (MFA) from Rutgers University. She is now a professional theater actress and a Faculty Lecturer in Acting and Stage Management at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.
Kate Orr was deeply involved in the NU theater both backstage and on stage before she went on to complete her MFA in sound design at North Carolina University School of the Arts after graduating in 2018. She now teaches Creatio design as a Professor here at NU and is working to start her own post-production company called “AppleCorr Productions.”
Fiona Cochran, who recently graduated in the spring of 2021, was a prominent actress of many NU theater productions and has since gone on to act for the Taproot Theatre Company's touring program and is a current member of their School Road Company.