Toni Ahrens

My Lafayette experience over the past three-and-a-half years has been shaped by the performing arts in every way. With a thriving College Theater department, an ever-growing a cappella program, a unique and challenging community service theater group, and a creative and innovative arts society, the performing arts have played a leading role in my life every day at Lafayette.

Not only have my extracurricular activities been centered on the performing arts, but also my academics. Because of my involvement in the performing arts, I was given the opportunity to explore the craft of theatrical directing through an independent study as well as in an honors thesis. After directing scenes

from the plays Angles in America and Top Girls in spring 2004, Professor Michael O’Neill, director of College Theater, approached me about directing a College Theater production in the fall as part of an honors thesis. While working on my thesis with Professor Suzanne Westfall I was able to learn firsthand how difficult and yet immensely rewarding directing a production can be. With the guidance (and patience) of the talented College Theater staff I directed Uncommon Women and Others by Wendy Wasserstein, which was performed at the Fringe Festival in November 2004.

In addition to the overwhelmingly positive experience of directing, I have had the privilege of being part of the Marquis Players charity theater group. The Marquis Players is truly a unique organization in that members not only spend hours and hours rehearsing for a musical production; they also spend hours and hours raising money for local charities!

I was very involved in theater before I came to Lafayette, but I have never had a more rewarding theatrical experience than working with the Marquis Players. The past three productions I have been involved with raised over $14,000 for charity, with our spring musical Anything Goes still to come on April 1-3. My dedication and love of the Marquis Players has landed me on the executive council for three years and the production staff for two. I never dreamed that participating in theater could be so enjoyable on so many levels.

The performing arts at Lafayette are continuing to grow and thrive as more students realize how much the arts can enrich their lives and they become more and more involved. I am grateful for all of my incredible experiences with the arts, but mostly for the genuine and lasting friendships I have made with fellow actors, singers, dancers, and performing arts enthusiasts.