Ashley-Lauren Elrod
Major: Theater Design/Acting Minor
Hometown: Crete, Illinois
Past Life: Full-time equestrian rider and actress. I participated in service needs for people and animals on weekends and competed in riding competitions.
Dream Job: To act. It's my passion and I fully intend on being successful in my own way. I would like to connect my dream job to act with helping children who have gone through crisis, to help children heal through the arts. That will be the most rewarding thing I could achieve in life.
Inspiration: My mother and father. My parents make me want to be more than just good, but the best with my talents, and their being there for me is my motivation to be great so I can give back to them one day.
Favorite spot on campus: The Theater building. I know everyone and the vibe is so cool. There are so many different types of designers, actors, and teachers to learn from! I love it because you get a home-like feel and you’re persuaded to do better every time you see someone else perform.
Favorite class: Will Casey's scene study class. He is so amazing when it comes to coaching his actors and helping to expand your range of emotions. The way he connects with his students, the understanding and care he takes to help mold us into the best performers we can be, is very admirable.
Most humbling experience at Columbia: Being cast in the first-ever student theater writing competition for high school playwrights was the best experience ever! Being cast in anything to act and expand my talents is amazing, but performing students’ work with full-blown costumes, make-up, sets, etc., is great because the students did not expect all the work we put in. Being a part of making them happy and their families’ being so impressed with the work their own children wrote was a very humbling and insightful experience.
Best night in the dorms: Sitting on the rooftop deck of 2 East 8th with a group of friends sharing our first year experiences while eating and dancing to music before summer vacation. It was a really great time to spend looking out on the city after a stressful semester came to an end.
Weirdest thing seen in the South Loop: Lol, what don’t you see! The best thing about the city is there are so many different people and crazy cool things you see!
My friends at "normal" colleges are jealous that: I live in the city 24/7 and I have more to do than just frat parties, class, and the local food place!
Music that puts me in the creative mood: Fun salsa, reggae, R&B, and hip-hop just get you moving, and when you close your eyes all you have to do is let go and let the creativity flow through your body!
Most necessary “tool” for creating: A bright and open mind, a mind with knowledge and a quick-thinking cap that can keep room for others’ ideas.
I take my coffee… with mocha creamer and two packets of sugar. I take my smoothie with strawberries, bananas, and protein. And I take my talent very seriously.
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