Name: Jasmine Manuel
Year: 2017
Major: (Expected) Drama
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Activities on Campus: The Archons Society, Archery Club, Kenyon College Drama Club, Community Choir, Bolton Scene Shop Volunteer
What theater projects are you currently involved in?
Rocky Horror Picture Show, Henry V, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
What drew you to drama?
I’ve always liked movies. I would ask my mom a bunch of questions every time an actor would make a movie. Questions about his acting choices, like: why did he move that way, etc. I never thought of career in drama until my school brought back my Drama Club, which had been gone for a while. They hired the man who would become my mentor and teacher, Dave Fehr. I decided to try it out, and I tried it and loved it, and ever since that I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. Which, by the way, totally ruined my mom’s dream, because before that I wanted to be a doctor.
What’s your favorite production?
My favorite show I’ve seen is Hit The Wall by Ike Holter. It was beautiful, my goodness. I wish I couldn’t seen it 2 nights in a row. My second favorite, I’m not saying this just because I go to Kenyon and we put it on here, was Pillowman. It was so good.
Who would you like to play you in the movie of your life? Who should you star as in the movie of their life?
Kiki Palmer would play me. She’s fun and bubbly. And I’d play Chuck Norris, of course. Oh wait, maybe he should play me. Just kidding…he wouldn’t do half the stuff I’ve done. HOMEWORK? Chuck Norris doesn’t do homework!
What do you think your Hogwarts house would be?
Gryffindor *proceeds to make fun of Hufflepuffs….* edit: As a Hufflepuff, I am personally offended.
Best/worst things about Kenyon?
Best thing about Kenyon…I might be being naive here, but the people. I haven’t seen any cliques. People who you are friends within your circles are friends with other people you didn’t even know they interacted with. I learn so much from my professors, but I also learn so much from my peers.
Worst thing about Kenyon…it’s so far away from everything. I come from Chicago and it’s a bustling metropolis! It’s a definite change. The rural isolation is good sometimes, for sure, but other times I need something that’s not offered at the market, or at Walmart, so I have to wait until I go home to get it.
Any last things we should know about you?
I like long woks on the beach…I like riding horses in my mind because I haven’t ridden a horse…unless you count the pony I rode at the Mexican circus.