Did you go to see Legally Blonde: The Musical this semester? Well, it was just one of the many shows the Penn State Thespians will put on this year. Meet Amy Tizio, the President of the Penn State Thespians. This native New Jerseyan has brought her many talents on and off the stage to put on some amazing productions. Check out what she had to say in our interview below!
Name: Amy Tizio
Year: Senior
Major: Public Relations
Minors: Spanish and International Studies
HC: So what exactly is a Thespian? What does the club do?
AT: A Thespian is a member of the Penn State Thespians, Penn State’s oldest continually active student organization on campus. The Thespians do it all – dance, sing, act, build sets, direct shows and so much more. Our main mission is to offer artists who may not be theatre majors (we actually have quite a few engineers!) an outlet to express their lust for theatre. Twice a year, we perform a main stage production. A few weeks ago, we wrapped up a very successful production of Legally Blonde: The Musical. We also perform two children shows each year and a benefit cabaret, MasquerAIDS, which raises money for the AIDs Resource, an organization based in Centre Country.
HC: What do you love about the Thespians?
AT: Honestly, I love everything about the Thespians. But I think the thing I love the most is how we’re just one big family. I never expected coming into college that I would meet such a genuinely friendly and loving group of people. I have always felt safe to be myself in this club and Thespians has really given me the chance to evolve as a person over my last four years here at Penn State.
HC: Do you think your PR major has helped you as President of the Thespians. If so, how?
AT: Absolutely. PR has helped grow my communication, leadership and teamwork skills, all of which are very necessary to be a president of any club. I spend a lot of my time interacting with the members of the club not only on a social level, but also on a professional level. Creating a show start to finish is not an easy task, and one must be able to communicate effectively with everyone involved, from the producer to the costume designer. It is also necessary to understand how to be a team player. Theatre is like a clock – it has many unique, intricate pieces that when put together make the whole show run. Each piece, or Thespian, needs to understand how to work with the other parts in order for everything to run smoothly.
HC: What has been your favorite show Thespians has done? Why?
AT: This is a really hard question to answer because every Thespian show has been special to me in its own way. However, I think the show that had the biggest impact on me was In the Heights. The show itself is absolutely beautiful and sends an important message about identity and family. This show is also very important for me because I think it solidified my love for Thespians and theatre and brought me closer to the people I now consider my closest friends.
HC: Could you tell me about some of the rough patches you’ve endured as president this year?
AT: The hardest part about being president is making decisions that will affect the whole club and probably not make everyone happy. I try to do what is best for all Thespians, but sometimes that is not possible. However, I have learned to keep my professional life in Thespians and my personal life separate. Most members understand that the decisions I make do not reflect how I feel about certain people. I do what I think is best for all and hope that in the end everyone will be satisfied.
HC: We heard that Thespians will no longer be performing Rent in the spring semester. What happened? What is the new show going to be?
AT: The world of theatre is unpredictable and Thespians got a taste of that when we found out the rights for Rent were no longer available for purchase a few weeks before we were going to get started with it. Without hesitation, the exec board reopened spring show proposals, selected three the club would vote on and finally ended up with Into the Woods. I am very excited the club chose this show. I think it is a perfect fit for the talent we have in Thespians right now.
HC: What else are you involved in on campus?
AT: I am an actor in No Refund Theatre, Thespians’ sister club. NRT is a really great chance for people who usually are behind-the-scenes in Thespians, like I was, to step onstage and act or direct.
HC: If you had to give our readers one piece of advice, what would it be?
AT: Don’t be afraid to take risks. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t take chances. However, following that piece of advice, I would like to say that it’s also okay to fail. Not everything is going to go your way, but you have to keep your head up and stay positive.