Seton Hill University Performing & Visual Arts 2020 Student Testimonial

TeenLife Performing & Visual Arts NACAC Guide 2020 Student Testimonial

Lexi Jenks

Theatre Business Major

Seton Hill University, Greensburg PA

How did you discover your passion for (dance, acting, clarinet, game design..)?

When I was little, my mom took me to a lot of local community theatre productions, and at the end of every single one, I would burst into tears. I just didn’t want them to be over. Those experiences sparked my love for theatre; even as a seven-year-old, I knew how special and fleeting it was.

What’s your favorite part about performing/creating?

I love seeing everyone “in their element,” from the actors to the directors to the designers. I have not performed since high school, but I am highly involved backstage in college, particularly in the area of stage management. There’s also a magical moment in the production process where everything comes together and I think, “wow, we really did this” and that is always special too.

What’s the hardest part for you about performing/creating?

Working on a show consumes your entire life; both a blessing and a curse. The time commitment would have to be the hardest thing for me; sleep is a luxury for those at the mercy of theatre.

Why did you pick this particular summer program/college?

There were so many deciding factors. I needed a school with an active Theatre Program I could get involved in, and the theatre business major at Seton Hill fulfilled that need perfectly. I also wanted a smaller school, as it is important to me to be able to create relationships with professors instead of just being another face in class.

What has been your favorite part of this program/college?

My favorite part of Seton Hill’s Theatre Program is how much opportunity for student involvement there is. Students here aren’t just acting, they’re building, designing, stage managing, board running, assistant directing and choreographing. Seton Hill’s faculty is incredible, so supportive, and definitely one of my favorite parts of the program here as well; it was them who made me believe I could stage manage as a second year student.

How do you think this program will help in what you want to do next?

The curriculum at Seton Hill is extremely well-rounded, which will definitely help me in whatever I do next. I am taking classes in directing, marketing, design and entrepreneurship. I am also being given the opportunity to work with so many different people and build an amazing network of professionals which is crucial to any job, but especially to the theatre.

Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years?

In ten years, I would love to be living in downtown Pittsburgh and doing marketing or PR for a theatre company.