Sophomore Maren Findlay has had the incredible opportunity to pursue her love of theater by becoming an ambassador to Park Square Theatre. The program gives Findlay the chance to work with professional actors, directors, and designers in master classes, as well as the the opportunity to attend six productions.
Findlay had to work hard to become an ambassador. “I had to get letters of recommendation from two theater teachers I’ve worked with, and I went through interview process with two of the people who spearheaded the program,” Findlay said.
Through her hard efforts, Findlay was able to grow because of this program in all aspects of theater. Findlay sees new and different shows at the theater every time she visits, and afterward reflects on it with actors, director, or in a large group.“Through the master classes, I’ve learned a lot about theater techniques. I’ve learned how to express acting through a song, how to prepare for an excellent audition, and I’ve learned various stage combat techniques,” Findlay said.
Part of the ambassador program at Park Square is organizing an artist visit your school. “It’s harder than it would seem, organizing a date, a time, getting a room, or a class to participate, making sure you have faculty– trying to get an audience…it’s a chore,” Findlay said.
This ambassador program can broaden one’s range of theatrical experience with all of the fun that comes with working with the huge variety of artists that come to do the master classes. Even though it is hard work to become an ambassador, Maren Findlay still recommends the program to other students.
“I would definitely recommend people to be ambassadors, if you’re willing to spend seven hours on a Saturday once a month with a bunch of geeks who all love theater. There’s a lot of pressure in completing the requirements for the program, and applying, the entire process – and sometimes it’s a bit sluggish, but in the long run – it pays off both for your theater career, and you make a lot of new friends,” Findlay said.