Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

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Emma VanVactor-Lee: profile of a theatre major

Emma VanVactor-Lee graduates this spring 2016 with a major in theatre, emphasis in acting, and a minor in child advocacy studies. (Photo by Taylor Nyman)
Emma VanVactor-Lee graduates this spring 2016 with a major in theatre, emphasis in acting, and a minor in child advocacy studies. (Photo by Taylor Nyman)

Dana Scott / Winonan

When senior Emma VanVactor-Lee walks at the graduation ceremony in May, it will not be her first time on a stage at Winona State University. In her three years at Winona State she has been heavily involved in the theatre department.

VanVactor-Lee has been in four theatre productions at Winona State, and more than 30 different plays throughout her life.

“[Being in plays] has always been part of my life,” VanVactor-Lee said. “Ever since I was in my first play when I was six.”

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VanVactor-Lee is a theatre major with an emphasis in acting with a minor in child advocacy studies. VanVactor-Lee commented on how most people think these two fields of study are an interesting combination.

“I just feel like art should be used to help people,” VanVactor-Lee said. “Art helped me come out of my shell; it gave me a voice and I want to help give people their voice.”

She loves acting and wants to work with children. She hopes to combine her passion for acting and working with children by going to graduate school for drama therapy.

“I just want to make art, make people happy and eat,” VanVactor-Lee said.

Her immediate plans after graduation are to return to the Great River Shakespeare Festival as an education intern, where she will help lead workshops and day camps. She will also learn what it is like to work for a non-profit theatre, which VanVactor-Lee sees herself doing in the future.

VanVactor-Lee shared how she came to Winona as an accident, due to a wrong turn on a trip to Madison, Wis. She then ended up getting a private tour from the head of the theatre department, Jim Williams.

She came to Winona State with 25 credits, due to taking many “college in the schools” courses and doing PSEO her last semester in high school. She originally only planned to be at Winona State for one year and then attend a university to get a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

“I fell in love with Winona,” VanVactor-Lee said. “I try not to stress about the future, because when I first came to campus I thought I was going to be here less than a year and here I am and it’s beautiful, even thought it didn’t go as planned.”

VanVactor-Lee realized at the end of her second year at Winona State, because of the credits she came in with, that she could graduate in three years. She became determined to do so.

She shared how she could not have done it without Williams and his wife, Heather, going above and beyond to help her reach her goal of graduating in three years.

During her short time at Winona State, VanVactor-Lee found time to be involved with activities outside of her classes.

“If there is something you are interested in there are probably at least two clubs about it,” VanVactor-Lee said. “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, college is a great time to learn about yourself and learn new things and make mistakes.”

VanVactor-Lee shared how during her role as Ivy Weston in “August: Osage County,” she grew a lot as not only an actress, but as a person. Because of this, the play was her favorite production at Winona State she has been a part of.

Her favorite role was as the clown in “Elephants Graveyard,” because she never thought she would be “the funny guy.”

The character she felt like she related to the most was Rosalind in “As You Like It.”

VanVactor-Lee has a love for Shakespeare, which sparked in high school when she got to play to role of Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet.” Since then, she has been in many Shakespeare performances.

“You have to know yourself inside and out to transform yourself into other people,” VanVactor-Lee said.

She went on to explain how being a theatre major and involved in plays on campus takes a lot of dedication, with 15 hours a week of rehearsal time, on top of being a full time student.

VanVactor-Lee stated how this experience has given her a lot of personal growth, especially with time management.

“Time management has never been my strong suit, but I am better at it now,” she said.

VanVactor-Lee also enjoyed her time in the theatre department, because it is such a small department and there is a strong sense of community and trust.

“You can make art by yourself,” VanVactor-Lee said, “but it can be better when you work with others, so you have to learn to work with people.”

VanVactor-Lee described art as anything someone does with passion and beauty.

“I love watching people do what they love,” VanVactor-Lee said.

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