Fast Facts:
Name: Sydney Cason
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: West Lafayette, IN
Major: Psychology. Minor- Applied Music
Favorite Marvin’s Item: Frank’s Fries
HerCampus: Hi Sydney, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today! Congratulations on landing the lead role, which I understand that you will be sharing! How has rehearsal for the opera been going? I know you must be extremely busy rehearsing for DePauw’s opera, The Secret Garden, which premieres next weekend.
Sydney Cason: We have been rehearsing for the opera every night since this semester began and it has been great! Our director, Joachim Schamberger, and conductor, Orcenith Smith, are both great and I have loved working with him and all of the other performers!
HC: We’re glad that things have been going well! What character will you be performing?
SC: I am playing Sandrina, the secret gardener. My character is in disguise as a gardener because she is upset about her ex-lover, Belfiore, and in reality I am the wealthy woman Violante Onesti. The opera is double cast, meaning that there are two full equally fantastic casts.
HC: We’re glad that DePauw has that much talent to go around! When are the performances?
SC: The opera is being performed Thursday February 27 at 7:30, Friday February 28 at 7:30, Saturday March 1 at 7:30, and Sunday March 2 at 2:00. My performances are on Friday and Saturday.
HC: That’s great! Now, despite your interest in opera, your major is actually Psychology. What are some of your career goals?
SC: I would like to get a PhD in Psychology or Neuroscience, and then be a professor at a university to do research and teach students about these topics that I love!
HC: Those sound like attainable goals. Do you have any plans this summer that might help you achieve those goals?
SC: My plan is to do some neuroscience research, probably in a lab at Purdue University.
HC: That sounds fantastic. With the passing of Valentine’s Day, it seems fitting to ask: what is your ideal date?
SC: I love hiking and picnics, so I suppose here at the DePauw Nature Park would be ideal!
HC: That sounds like a lot of fun, especially when the weather improves. Thanks again and good luck this weekend!