A performer may be asked to wear many faces. The Mount’s very own Elizabeth Keller is no exception.
Elizabeth wears the face of a Financial Economics major, a performer in the Mount’s theatre program, and a member of the class of 2026 just to name a few. She performed a leading role as Leeann, an anti-war nurse serving to help the wounded of the Vietnam War, in the Mount’s 2023 theatre production of “A Piece of My Heart.” Since then, she has been continuing her education at the Mount, and starred as the character Sally Perks in the spring semester’s production of “Puffs.”
It took time for Elizabeth to get to this point.
Elizabeth says, “My freshman year, I was all over the place. I was in way too many clubs and organizations to really dedicate much time to each of them, and I wasn't able to connect well with other people.” The first year of college can be especially difficult for many as they try to find out what works for them, and no exception was made for Elizabeth. In trying to be involved, she overextended herself and struggled to create connections with peers. Then she was cast in “A Piece of My Heart,” and she found a group of lovely individuals to give her focus to as well as an environment she felt a calling to.
“Somewhere between seeing my castmates four days a week, millions of inside jokes, our ice cream Thursday bonding sessions, and lots of hard work ground out together, I felt at home,” says Elizabeth. “I was surrounded by some of the most open-minded, hilarious, and creative people who shared a passion for putting on a good show and having fun while doing so.”
Aiding in Elizabeth’s process of finding a home during the Mount’s production of “A Piece of My Heart” was the Mount’s Director of Theatre Arts, Lauren Carr. “Her dedication to directing an accurate and authentic piece encouraged all of us,” explains Elizabeth. “She fostered a safe environment for us to ask questions, explore different acting choices, and dive into the horror that was the Vietnam War.” The play “A Piece of My Heart” addresses multiple tough topics, such as physical and mental challenges, especially in regard to the PTSD that the women of the Vietnam War the play is based on faced after their service. The performers of the play, which included Elizabeth, had to act out scenes that portrayed these difficult and very real topics.
“Lauren equipped all of us to tackle these important scenes while also ensuring we were safe while doing so,” says Elizabeth. Lauren Carr was able to create a safe environment for Elizabeth and her fellow performers to engage with the play, aiding in Elizabeth’s growth as a performer and student at the Mount.
The payoff of performing “A Piece of My Heart” was enormous. Although, there were of course challenges when it came to performing, with Elizabeth outlining, “We can't rely on things like CGI or the ability to cut and re-do scenes until we get the perfect shot like in movies. Everything is in real time, and the only way to make this work is by listening to our fellow actors and having each other's backs.” Due to performances being done in real time, the threat of not performing a scene ideally or even forgetting lines in front of a live audience is very real. Yet, Elizabeth and her fellow performers faced the challenges of the play and put on a great show through perseverance and teamwork. “Theatre is a team effort, and every person - both on and off stage - are equally important,” explains Elizabeth. “There must be mutual trust and respect between all actors to tell a story seamlessly.”
Elizabeth feels a particular connection with the character, Leeann, she played. At the start of the play, Leeann is dedicated to nursing, but re-evaluates and changes her career entirely after realizing that nursing doesn’t align with her passions as much as she thought it would. “I think this speaks to the college experience in general,” says Elizabeth. “I've changed career pathways since starting my journey at the Mount, and it can be scary not following a plan that I've had laid out since I was in sixth grade. However, I would rather take a risk with a new plan than stay on a path that I know won't fulfill me.” Reflecting on Leeann’s character gave Elizabeth the strength to face her own challenges in starting college at the Mount. “I think I drew strength and courage from Leeann when she risked so much to choose a new path and never looked back,” says Elizabeth.
Elizabeth encourages anyone attending the Mount to look into joining the theatre program. “Whether you're interested in working onstage or behind the scenes, there is always a place for you to grow, contribute, and have fun,” says Elizabeth. “MSJ's theatre program is a fantastic opportunity to learn, build connections, and be a part of something truly special.”
Interested in learning more about MSJ Theatre Arts? Visit our Theatre page to learn more! MSJ Theatre Arts