by Rose Champagne
Exchange Staff

     This week I interviewed Catherine Joseph.  Catherine is a self-designed Musical Theatre Major who enjoys travel and other cultures.

RC:  What drew you to Franklin Pierce?

CJ:  One of my friends, Roger Snell, went here.  I scheduled an overnight stay during one of the theatre performances and I got to meet Bob Lawson.  I also thought the campus was pretty.  I'm the kind of girl who needs a room with a view.

RC:  What has your experience been like at F.P.?

CJ:  Overall a positive experience.  Definitely a learning experience.  I've gotten close to a lot of people here.  The whole experience.  To go to Vienna with 13 friends and two of my favorite professors was the best experience of my life so far.

RC:  What was a semester in Vienna like?

CJ:  Vienna was... I don't know if there's a word for it.  It was beautiful and exhilarating, wonderful, exciting.  An adventure.  So great to be in the environment where I can walk down the street and go to a museum.  Tickets to the opera for six euro!  Art, architecture, being in another culture meeting new people with the people I already knew and loved.  It was like I was at home when I was 12,000 miles away from home.  Someday I will go back.

RC:  What is your most memorable moment here?

CJ:  My most memorable moment... It would have to be staying here for two summer sessions.  The friends I made I know I'm going to be friends with for a long time.  I got really close with my roommates and the boys across the hall.  We'd cook dinner every night.  ACTF (American College Theatre Festival) was also a big learning experience, being in a professional theatre environment.  I really bonded with the cast and enjoyed receiving feedback about our show. 

RC:  What do you plan on doing after graduation?

CJ:  I plan to audition for summer theatre, hopefully get cast.  Probably go back to my old dance studio and brush up a bit.  Continue voice lessons and keep auditioning.  Spending time with the family, friends and my boyfriend.  Maybe in the future move to Chicago or Philly.  I want it all: career, family and love.

RC:  Tell me about your upcoming show, which you wrote, directed and are starring in.

CJ:  It's called "Reflections: A Journey With Alice."  It's a compilation of rock and roll music (AKA The Doors, The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane), musicals, dance, opera, poetry and collages.  It's loosely based on Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, and The Wizard of Oz.  I started writing it as a way to get things out, to release me from my past.  It's coming together well and will be more than I ever thought it could be. 

RC:  You are also in the spring musical, 451.  What is it like working with Bob Lawson?

CJ:  Working with Bob is incredible!  I've learned so much from him, not only in the realm of theatre, but in life lessons.  The show is amazing.  I can't believe he wrote all the music for it!  Bob's talents are limitless.  As far as being a cast member, it's been challenging to work on both shows at times... and classes, choir and university singers, time for having life... it's overwhelming at times.  I'm a bit apprehensive about learning how to walk on stilts, but I think the show is going to be gorgeous.  Not to miss.

RC:  Any fears about your last performance on the Franklin Pierce stage?

CJ:  No fears, but I know I'm going to cry.

RC: Who, or what, is your inspiration?

CJ:  I think people like Judy Garland, Gene Kelly and Marilyn Monroe.  My parents because I know they want me to be the best person I can be.  My friends.  I just happen to have a talented group of friends.  My teachers who push me.  My dreams inspire me, dreams are really where the journey starts.  You can only go as far as you imagine you can go.

Reflections: A Journey With Alice: May 2 (7:30), 3 (7:30), 4 (2:00). 

451: April 15-19, all performances at 7:30 with a matinee on the 19th at 2.