Senior Spotlight: Kayla Lansing

Hello lovely SAU Theatre newsletter readers! Welcome to my farewell from the editor.

Writing this article has been on my radar for two years now, but I assure you that still didn't make the process any easier! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Kayla Lansing. I am from Cedar Rapids, IA and I am graduating summa cum laude with majors in theatre and psychology with a minor in interdisciplinary honors.

This coming August I will begin attending graduate classes for my MA in theatre with drama therapy at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. I will be forever thankful for the amazing faculty and staff at St. Ambrose, especially in the theatre department, because they were there helping me to achieve these amazing goals before I even knew what they would someday be.

I love St. Ambrose theatre more than I have accurate words to describe it. This program has taken me in, created a family for me, taught me more than I ever thought possible, and made me into someone I am proud to be. Receiving the Michael Kennedy Theatre Scholarship my first year at SAU was one of the greatest blessings I have ever received, because it officially set my hesitant mind on becoming a theatre major.

Because of St. Ambrose I am no longer just a lover of theatre; I have found my life's passion. In the past four years, theatre has become essential to the core of who I am as a person, why I chose the career path I did, and how I learned skills and made friendships that I know are going to last me a lifetime.

One of my favorite parts of my career at St. Ambrose has been getting the pleasure to be the editor of the Theatre Newsletter. At firs,t I was absolutely terrified; I didn't think I was qualified or would do justice to what has been such a wonderfully established tradition. But of course, Cory was able to convince me otherwise, and I began my two-year stay as editor.

Let me say: it has been an absolute blast! There is nothing I love more than getting to work with my fellow students to share all the amazing things we have accomplished throughout the year. I love getting to see first-year students find their moment to shine, alumni reflect on what St. Ambrose means to them, seeing the history of our department uncovered and shared, and doing my part to maintain the sense of family and comradery this department has established over decades of hard work. As a soon-to-be alumnus, I know I will be eagerly awaiting the newsletter's arrival in my inbox every month! And seniors, if you want to keep receiving the newsletter, sign up here!

Throughout my time at SAU, I have been able to make some of my most cherished memories. I remember hearing thousands of kids screaming, singing, and dancing before the children's show every year. I remember my first leading role in a show, and my stunned silence when my first Irene Ryan nomination was announced. I remember the never ending cue to cues, the long and sleepless nights of late rehearsals mixed with homework, and the incomparable feeling of waiting to go on stage before an opening night performance.

I remember Dianne comforting me in the costume shop when I came in crying, Cory's unbridled excitement when I announced I had been accepted to three graduate schools, and Kris' trademarked catchphrases that never cease to make me smile. SAU theatre truly is my home, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.

To all the SAU theatre newsletter readers: I thank you for your continued support month after month. I thank the donors to our department and our loyal audience members for helping us all follow our dreams, no matter what they are. I thank my professors for showing me what it means to passionately love what you do with all of your heart, and for being there for every student when they needed it the most. I thank my SAU theatre friends for becoming my family, and for never giving up when faced with a challenge. All of you are the reason I am who I am today.

In parting, I hope you will all welcome our newest editor, Jessica Karolczak, and embrace her just as you have me. When I reflect on the greatest lesson I have learned while here at St. Ambrose, a quote from playwright Oscar Wilde continues to resonate in my heart: "It was only in the theatre that I lived."

Thank you all for an amazing four years.