First-Year Focus Allison Hutson

Welcome to the first year focus, Allison Hutson!

Allison has been involved in many different things during her first year at St. Ambrose, including the vocal jazz choir STAMVOJA, the Honors Program, and now our upcoming spring musical Cabaret!

Let's learn some more about Allison and how her first year at Ambrose has been.

Hometown: Quincy, Illinois.

What is your major? Why did you pick those majors?
I am double majoring in English and Music. I really love writing, and I think I'm going to end up doing a concentration. I've also really loved music all my life, and I just wanted to keep doing things that I love.

When did you start doing theatre? Why did you decide to continue doing it at Ambrose?
The first show I was ever in was The Sound of Music, where I played Marta Von Trapp. I started in the fourth grade at the Quincy Community Theatre, and I just kind of did theatre all the way up to my senior year of high school. I continued to do theatre at Ambrose because I love performing; I can't see myself not performing. It's definitely a hobby of mine, but it's really important to me.

What would your dream role(s) be?
I really want to play Belle in Beauty and the Beast! Belle is a very strong character who knows what she wants in life and she doesn't let anyone tell her what to do, and I admire her character.

What are some theatre productions you have been with involved in the past? And what do you hope to be involved with in the future?
My first show was The Sound of Music, I've also been in The Wizard of Oz, Shrek: The Musical and Tarzan. Quincy Community Theatre is doing Mamma Mia this summer and I'd love to be a part of that! Other shows that I would love to be in would be Wicked, Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, or My Fair Lady.

Why did you choose St. Ambrose?
My brother had a college visit here when I was a sophomore in high school, and he was a senior, and I had never been to a college campus before. I immediately fell in love with the campus; it was just so beautiful and welcoming and open. It felt like home right away. I went on an overnight stay here and the people I met then were really nice and welcoming, and it made me feel at home. When I saw the theatre for the first time, I immediately knew that I wanted to perform on that stage.

What is your favorite play or musical and why?
That's a really hard question! There are a handful of shows that I really love, like Tarzan, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and Newsies. I love anything Disney really, and I can't pick out one favorite!

What is your favorite class this semester?
I really enjoy my music theory class, mostly because it gives me a challenge and makes me think. It keeps me on my toes, even though it's an 8 a.m. class. I also really love being in STAMVOJA because it's a really close-knit group and we're pretty much like a family. Making music together is really fun.

Tell us a Fun Fact about yourself!
I was born in Mesa, Arizona, and I also sing at weddings!

Thank you for sharing a part of your story with us Allison! We look forward to seeing what you continue to do at St. Ambrose and wish you luck throughout the next three years.