Elle Ingarra
Theatre major, 2013
Interested in theatre? Then you have definitely come to the right place!
Hi everyone! My name's Elle Ingarra and I'm a sophomore here at Lycoming College. I'm majoring in theatre with a concentration in acting. Also, I am getting certified in elementary education. I'm from Cheshire, CT, which is about a five- hour drive from Lycoming. I stumbled upon Lyco by chance and after just one visit, I knew it was the ONLY school for me!
When I moved in freshman year, I had no idea about all the experiences I would have and the things I would accomplish just after one year. One of the reasons I chose Lycoming was because of the Theatre Department. In high school, I came from a drama department that was like a family, and I wanted that same experience in college. The faculty and students involved in the Theatre Department here were so helpful and made me feel at home right away.
I just finished my freshman year, and I have taken many classes in the department and learned so much! I have taken Introduction to the Theatre, Acting I and II, Play Production, and participated in Touring Children's Theatre. There are so many opportunities to be involved without having to be in a main-stage production. Directing students have to direct scenes and one-act plays in the Directing I and II courses. Those students are always looking for other students to act in their projects, and it is such a great way to start getting involved, and get to know the students and faculty.
The first production I was involved in was Wonder of the World by David Lindsay-Abaire last spring. In this play I had six different roles, which was quite a challenge for my first main-stage show. It was so great to apply what I was learning in all of my courses to the roles I was playing. I also performed in the following show Time out for Ginger by Ronald Alexander. The department puts together four main-stage productions throughout the academic year, two shows a semester. Even if you don't want to be on stage during a production, there are so many other ways to be involved behind the scenes. At Lycoming, you aren't just a number where professors don't know who you are. It is so great to be involved in a program where I am comfortable and excited to learn every day.
The Theatre Department takes two trips during the academic year, one fall semester and one spring semester. In the fall the department travels to Canada over long weekend to attend the Shaw Festival. Then, once spring rolls around, the department ventures to the Big Apple to see a Broadway show. These trips are great ways to experience theatre in other environments and not just Lycoming.
There are so many great skills and experiences gained by students involved in the Theatre Department here at Lycoming. Gaining the confidence to talk in front of a crowd and interact with people you have never met will be lessons that will carry with you throughout your life. I am so lucky to be a part of such a great learning experience and somewhere I can always have fun. There are so many colleges all over the country, but you will never get the same experience as Lycoming.