Westminster Senior Accepted into Prestigious Acting School

Robert Allen, a senior theatre major from Westminster College, has been accepted into the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City.

"I started looking at theater schools when I was a sophomore at Westminster," Allen said.  "Actors Studio looked like a good program, but I thought it was a long shot to get in because they cut 30 percent of their applications before even meeting you.

"Because of Westminster's size, I was able to be on stage a lot, and had the opportunity to grow.  I was in a leading role more than once, and always got a part in every play, which gave me a good all around understanding of theatre," Allen said.

"Ever since I started here, professors have guided me through the graduate school process," he added.  They taught me the language of the craft.  They helped me with the essay I had to write.  It was difficult answering the six questions required in 300 words or less.  It had to be concise, but still fully explain my answers."

Allen had about two more weeks practice and several days of performance in "Tartuffe" when he received his acceptance at the acting school.

"I applied in January and was notified in mid-February that I had been invited to audition.  I was told that the selection of the scene for my audition was crucial, and that I was going to need a partner," Allen said.  I chose Kauleen Cloutier (a senior theatre and French major from Pittsburgh) to go with me, but we both had to wait until Tartuffe' was over before we could concentrate on my audition."

When "Tartuffe" was over, Allen needed help to began his preparation for this audition, so he went to a few of his professors , Dr. Andrew Ade, assistant professor of English; Dr. Jeffrey Bersett, assistant professor of Spanish; and Dr. Scott Mackenzie, assistant professor of theatre.

"I had two weeks to get ready.  I went to talk to Dr. Ade, Dr. Bersett, and Dr. Mackenzie to get their ideas about what work I should use," Allen said.  "This was important because the school indicated that the scene I chose would tell them more about me than the performance.  Lucia Mad' was chosen because it was both a comedy and a drama."

Allen is not sure about what he will do after receiving his MFA in acting. 

"I'm excited about being accepted to this school.  I love acting and doing theatre, but I know that is a long shot," Allen said.  "I also want to write and direct, and maybe someday teach, but I'll always want to be in theatre doing something."

Allen is a son of Robert and Dorothy Allen, Niles, Ohio, and a graduate of McKinley High School.  While at Westminster, Allen was a member of Theta Chi fraternity, a student government senator, and a member of the Westminster Speech and Debate Team.  Allen was also busy writing a full-length play "Hold On" as his capstone. 

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