Anja Alden

Anja Alden, Putney, VT

How did you first get involved with theater? I first got involved in theater because very close friends of my family were part of the youth theater in Brattleboro. I had a lot of other friends who were a part of it and they convinced me to audition. After that I was in a lot of shows at New England Youth Theater (NEYT). 

What is your favorite theatre experience? I have a lot of great memories from NEYT but one of the best was when I was in A Midsummer Night’s Dream when I was 10. On opening night there was a storm and a huge chunk of ice fell off the roof and triggered something that hit a sprinkler and the fire alarm went off. Everyone was outside for what felt like forever and we weren't allowed in the building until the firemen figured out what happened. Looking back on it, it was really funny.

What are you most excited about for the Student Ambassador program? I am really excited to see how Weston works and how it differs from NEYT. Also, I love the shows there and I think it will be a good learning experience. I've never really done anything backstage and I think seeing all of the stuff that goes on backstage at Weston will be really cool.

photo to come!

Ben Collier, Windsor, VT

How did you first get involved with theater? I got involved in theatre through my school's program in grade school.

What is your favorite theatre experience? My favorite experience would have to be working on the production of Peter Pan. We had such a great cast and it went over really well. 

What are you most excited about for the Student Ambassador program? For this Ambassador program, I am looking forward to meeting new people who have the same love and drive for acting as I do.

Codi Lynch

Codi Lynch, Springfield, VT

How did you first get involved with theater? I have always been a very theatrical person; there was nothing that I loved more than movies growing up. My family’s lack of basic cable taught me to have great respect for actors throughout history, such as Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind" and of course "Star Wars: Episode four- A New Hope". In my middle school years I had the great opportunity to go with my chorus class to see one Broadway musical every year such as Hairspray and South Pacific. Entering high school I also had the opportunity to be a part of the theatrics and perform along side with my classmates. 

What is your favorite theatre experience? My favorite memory involving the theater and myself would be my classmates and I performing in the school musical The Magical Land of Oz. I was the Wicked Witch of the West and had a big song and dance number. Many have said that the spunk I brought to the character stole the show. It is still one of my fondest memories. 

What are you most excited about for the Student Ambassador program? This summer I hope to broaden my horizons by experiencing higher caliber shows at the Weston Playhouse. I have seen a few of the Weston performances and have been rather impressed and intrigued. I am most very excited to see these wonderful works of performing arts, showing my love for theater, and letting every actor and actress know they have my deep appreciation for their hard work. 

Eric Korzun

Eric Korzun, Mendon, VT

How did you first get involved with theater? I obtained my first glimpse of theater in 2008. One of my closest friends was going to auditions for A Christmas Carole and he asked me if I wanted to tag along. I agreed, not expecting to audition. Once I got to the audition though, I decided I wanted to. I got a few roles in that show and loved the experience. So, I continued to audition and contribute to shows with companies like Marble Valley Players, Actors' Rep, and Grace Congregational with Rip Jackson.

What is your favorite theatre experience? When I did Guys and Dolls with Marble Valley Players. I fell in love with the show and to this day I still sing some of the songs randomly.

What are you most excited about for the Student Ambassador program? I'm most excited about meeting new people and seeing amazing shows. I'm also excited about the experience in general. I'm also hoping to expand my connections with acting companies, so I can't wait.

           Leah Cunningham

Leah Cunningham, Chester, VT

How did you first get involved with theater? I first became interested in theater and the performing arts, when I saw my first Nutcracker when I was 2 years old. I watched it on TV and was immediately hooked. I started and dancing and performing for others when I turned 3.

What is your favorite theatre experience? I was one of the King's children and a dancer in the WPTC's 2007 production of The King & I. I also started my Actors Equity Association Candidacy during that same summer. Since then I also have had the extreme pleasure of working with the Opera Theater of Weston as a chorus member and dancer. 

What are you most excited about for the Student Ambassador program? Every trip to Weston is a new adventure for me. I can't wait to watch and learn from the amazing actors, actresses, and directors. As I hope to some day make my living performing for others, I'm excited to watch the people I admire and aspire to be,  and learn from them. Thank you Weston for this opportunity!

Mariah Olmstead

Mariah Olmstead, Springfield, VT

How did you first get involved with theater? When I was little I liked to perform in front of people. I first got interested in theater in elementary school when I did a couple of plays. I'm going to be a Junior this coming fall and I'm still doing theater.

What is your favorite theatre experience? When I did "Once Upon A Mattress." My auditions went horribly because I really don't like singing in front of people, and I really didn't want a big role. I was cast in my first big role as Prince Dauntless.  I was happy but scared because I knew I would have a solo. I didn't think that I'd like having a big role, but I actually enjoyed the challenge and the positive feedback.  All in all it was a great experience and a lot of fun.  I would like to go into theater professionally some day.

What are you most excited about for the Student Ambassador program? I'm really excited to see all the different plays and musicals.  And to see how the shows work and the things I can learn from the actors.  I can't wait to work with other people my age who enjoy theater as much as I do. 

Sabrina Deweerdt

Sabrina Deweerdt, South Londonderry, VT

How did you first get involved with theater? The bug bit me young! I first got involved in theater at a summer camp at my elementary school. I actually had the lead (a little witch who had run out of magic right before Halloween) but didn't even know it at the time. My mom told me she asked the director, Mrs.Repinski, if she was sure about having me in the play since I'd only just learned to read. I remember jumping off a little platform on a broomstick and doing a magic trick with a Beanie Baby cat. I had a lot of fun and I wanted to do it again.

What is your favorite theatre experience? It's really hard to choose a favorite moment, I have so many memories and friendships from the shows I've been in, but I do have a favorite show. I saw Wicked at Proctors in Rutland and was absolutely blown away by the story, the characters, and especially the music. My mother and I had seats about 2 rows from the back of the house underneath the balcony, and I still felt this amazing energy. I got goosebumps.

What are you most excited about for the Student Ambassador program? I'm most excited aboutBetrayal. I've always loved stories that manipulate time (Star Trek's time travel, Groundhog Day's repeated time) because I love seeing how the pieces all fit together. The premise of a common story, an affair, told in a different way really appeals to me. A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum is a close second though, since I'm a big fan of Sondheim.

Stevie Hunter

Stevie Hunter, Manchester, VT

How did you first get involved with theater? I first became involved in theater as a five-year-old in my basement! My older sister and a friend would collaborate on writing productions. In their original play, Losing Isabella, I was cast as an angel who narrated the play. We would perform for family and friends. I have enjoyed being other people onstage ever since. 

What is your favorite theatre experience? My favorite memory takes me back to the BBA Riley Center seven or eight years ago. I was in elementary school, and the production I was watching was Robinhood: The Next Generation, which is about Robinhood's coming-of-age daughter, Robin. I remember that I wanted to be Robin! She was pretty and tough. 

Zachary Razanouski

Zachary Razanouski, West Rutland, VT

How did you first get involved with theater? I first got involved with theatre in the 6th grade when my teacher recommended me to the drama club. After that, I pretty much fell in love with the magic of theatre and I have been doing it ever since.

What is your favorite theatre experience? This is a very hard question! I loved seeing Christopher Lloyd in Death of a Salesman at the Weston Playhouse. He gave a tremendous performance that left me in tears. It was then that I realized what true theatre was. I would die to get a chance to talk with him about acting someday. Another one of my favorite theatre memories is when I went to see Hairspray on Broadway. It's one of my favorite musicals and seeing it on Broadway helped me realize that with dedication and hard work, it won't be long before I reach my dream of acting in a Broadway show.

My favorite technical theatre memory is probably when I got to help David Lane with the lighting for The Opera House of Weston's The Magic Flute. It was such a great hands on experience, and I believe anyone who wants to work in theatre should be skilled in all areas.