Theatre - Student Profile - Hannah Titus

Hannah (center) performs in Hesston's 2009 production of Godspell

Hannah Titus
Sophomore, Theatre, Elementary Education, and Spanish
Roland, Iowa

What drew you to Hesston College?
I really enjoyed the community. Everyone knew everyone else. By the end of the day of meeting students as a prospective, I was feeling confident enough to wander the campus on my own and meet new people. I enjoyed the time I spent on the campus, and I met people I wanted to be friends with. Now that I'm here as a student I am blessed to know hundreds of people, and I always seem to encounter every single individual on campus each day.

How challenging are the academics at Hesston?
They are challenging enough that they require time and effort...sometimes a lot of time and effort. I've found that God has blessed me with a gift of understanding most curriculum, so my challenge is finishing my homework while being so involved.

Hannah (center) in The Diviners, fall 2008

What has been your favorite theatre production at Hesston?
Diviners most definitely! Godspell is next in line.

What roles have you played in Hesston productions? Which was your favorite?

• Varied characters in traveling theatre troupe for both years
• Faye McFaye in An Evening of Culture: Faith County II
• Nurse/telephone operator in Sorry, Wrong Number
• Gilmer in Godspell
• Dancer in Amahl and the Night Visitors
• Goldie in The Diviners

What have you learned from working on the productions? What talents and skills have you gained?
I have learned how important it is to work together and feel together as an ensemble in any cast. No part is unimportant; every character was written into the play for a very good reason. Humility is one of the largest assets in any production. Whenever an actor bows to the audience, he is saying, "You're welcome," to the audience's applause. Because I've been active in the Hesston College productions, I've learned how to sing/belt confidently. I've learned how to improvise on stage and use techniques to fill the space with my voice.

What has been your favorite Theatre course?
My favorite course in the theatre department would have to be either Directing or Acting I. Acting I was a great experience because I was able to experience and see what quality acting was. It was so much fun, and it built a community of actors. In fact, some of my best friends were in that class with me. Directing is a great course as well. I am currently in the class learning how to analyze plays. As the end of the semester draws near, I will audition for a cast, direct a play (Puente Negro) of my choice, and watch my interpretation of the play take shape. I'm anticipating the fun and hard work involved!

What are your favorites among all the courses you have taken at Hesston?
Again, it's Acting I or College Writing II. College Writing II is generally a small class size. With the small size, this course is more flexible—but I also learn so much more and am able to discuss more. Lael Ewy is a great professor who allows us to explore the philosophies behind the weekly essays. I've learned so many ideals that I can use later on for an elementary classroom. (I'm actually an elementary education major, but I'm minoring in theatre.)

What are the professors like in the program?
They are amazing! The main individuals are Megan Tyner, Matt Schloneger, Doug Peters, and Ken Rodgers. Megan Tyner, the theatre professor and director, is always very energetic and fun to be around. She has vision, guts, and experience to inspire her casts, and she has the concentration to keep us focused. She encourages us to be the best actors we can be but also cares about what is going on in our lives outside of Northlawn 109, our campus theater.
      Matt Schloneger is the music director in musicals. I have worked with him so much outside of rehearsals, and I know that is time that he oftentimes doesn't have because he's so busy. But when I'm working with him, he is completely focused on helping me improve my vocal pieces and gain confidence.
      Doug Peters is in charge of the tech. He creates beautiful, meaningful stages, awesome lighting, and wonderful sound for us. He's very willing to work with Megan Tyner, even when technical difficulties seem to keep popping up.
      Ken Rodgers is the man behind the piano every single rehearsal for a musical. He is so dedicated to the cast's vocal pieces that he will patiently wait during a three-hour period in order to play for a half-hour when we need his expertise.
      I enjoy hanging out, laughing, and working with these four professors! It's so much fun being able to learn from these people as we create something together.

Which people at Hesston have helped you grow the most? How did they help you?
I would have to say my friends. I have three friends that I bonded with my freshman year. I was with all three of them in my Acting I class. We were inseperable. They were the people who I cried with, hugged for support, acted like dufus with, and laughed with. It was a great time. One of those three people I've been dating for a year now, but our relationships is first and foremost based on our genuine friendship. My other two friends are currently at a different university and on a year-long service project. I still correspond with them. Everyone misses them. When someone leaves Hesston College, we can't help but miss them because they were a part of a community.

Did you find opportunities for learning experiences outside the classroom?
Oh, did I ever! I seem to be involved in many, many things! And each activity has taught me something. I've been involved in every single theatrical production since I've been here, and every cast lends itself completely different dynamics. I am involved in traveling theatre troupe, wind ensemble, chorale, Screaming Larks Pep Band, and the Hesston Bethel Performing Arts committee. I have also had the opportunity to tutor middle school students in reading and teach Sunday school at one of the local Mennonite churches. It's been great being so involved in the campus departments. I'm really going to miss the people and the activities next year.

How have your experiences at Hesston prepared you for the future?
Theatre is all about building experience for a resume. It's not the amount of experience, though, that has shaped who I am. It's the quality of the experiences. Every single production I have been involved in has somehow influenced my perception of the world. I've been in comedies, musicals, and dramas. Some moments make the cast laugh so hard during rehearsals that we have to pause to catch our breaths. Other times, a performance has moved the cast so much that we will all be crying backstage. The words in script, the action, the emotions, and the people have all influenced me because they inspire me to become more aware of the world around me. That's one of the greatest gifts I could receive.

What are some of your most memorable moments as a student at Hesston?
I remember the first time I made friends on campus as a student. A day after arriving on the campus, I met two girls across the hall from my room. We started talking and giggling. Soon afterwards, we met two boys and started hanging out and laughing. By the end of the evening we decided to watch Oklahoma! together. We really bonded. Those two girls were some of my best friends. It was amazing how we became friends so quickly. It's interesting how people become friends because we're all in the homesick situation; we survive and live together, though.

What are your plans for after Hesston?
I plan attending the University of Northern Iowa where I'll major in elementary education and minor in theatre and teaching Spanish.