Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Stratton

Major: Theatre

Class Year: 2012

What are you doing currently? I'm living in Chicago, doing the actor's grind of auditioning, auditioning, auditioning.

What did you do after graduation? I moved to Chicago, on a whim, really. I decided a week before graduation that I was going to move to Chicago, as a stepping stone, to introduce myself into a bigger city and hone a craft in film acting. One week after graduating, I moved, and I've been working at it ever since!

What was your favorite memory from Ambrose?
My favorite memory is actually from 2008, before my time at Ambrose. I was in my second year at Kirkwood Community College, still finishing my Associate's degree, and our department was attending that year's KCACTF in Lawrence, Kansas. One of the Kirkwood students, who was from Davenport, was talking to who I would later know her to be, The Cory Johnson. He knew she was a professor at St. Ambrose. So naturally, I, too, finagled my way into their bunch at a lounge (I mean, I wasn't going to miss an opportunity to network!), introduced myself and how I didn't know my plans after my Kirkwood. She told me, simply, "come audition at St Ambrose," gave me her business card, took a shot of tequila, and told me "they love giving money!" I responded with, "That's perfect! I love receiving it!" Haha. I loved her already! I kept her business card in my wallet for two years while I finished [at Kirkwood] until the day I auditioned for Ambrose's Theatre department, and the rest is history!

What do you miss most about the department?
Oh man, I miss the department so much. The community of it. I miss consistently going into Cory's office in search of advice every day! I miss working with Dianne in the costume shop, and the spectacular nature of our shows. Sometimes, stepping back and thinking "Wow. This is just a collegiate show!?" I mean, did you see "Dakota Jones and the Search for Atlantis"?? We truly had it great there. We have an amazing department, I miss physically being there. Oh, and the Galvins! Gotta love the Galvins!

How do you keep inspired in your workplace?
People. Simply enough. I'm constantly inspired by those around me, artists and otherwise. You'll quickly find that everyone has something they love doing - their niche, if you will. And it could be in any realm of crafts or hobbies, something they're good at, or enjoy doing. And to see them do that craft, eyes glowing, loving what they do - that is inspiring. Just love what you do, and do it. And let others surround you. Everyone wins!

What was your biggest post-SAU surprise?
Honestly? How hard it would be. And it's not hard for everyone, I'm sure. And it's not easy, either. I've worked hard and struggled a lot. Being in the "real world" and actively trying to pursue acting as a career (I mean, that's what we went to school for, right?), it's difficult. You'll really be tested to your limits on why you're doing this. And you should always check in with yourself and be honest to you, on why you're doing this. Hopefully, it's because you love it, and you can't imagine doing anything else. Again, we went to school for this!

I've worked jobs to pay the bills and [my bosses] not like my hairstyle (that I was maintaining for an acting gig); that [boss] would tell me "get a haircut, or you're gone." We're talking: the job you pay rent with vs. doing your passion work. You'll be tested. Stay true to yourself, and know why you're doing it. (P.S. I quit the job. I chose acting.)

What is your advice to current students?
The sooner you put into your head this casual, cavalier idea that "you win some, you lose some," the better off you'll be. You can't win it all. You're not made for everything, for every role. Take your successes in merely auditioning, not getting the gig. Only allow yourself maybe one time, one gig, a year that you can be bummed about not getting - just one, maybe two, but that's it! Just keep grinding away; be casual; "you win some, you lose some"; network, network, network! If you can't get work, make your own. Take classes. Create the life you want to live!