There are many crazy-talented people in the SAU Theatre Department, and Abigail "Abbie" Carpenter is for sure one of them.
She is from Davenport and very involved in the SAU Theatre Department as a theatre major. She has been seen acting on stage, directing one acts, and preparing work as an Irene Ryan nominee (this year) and partner (last year). Carpenter transferred from Simpson College last year and couldn't be happier with her choice to come to St. Ambrose!
Carpenter's love for the stage first began when she started taking classes at Davenport Junior Theater. She has loved every aspect of theatre ever since. She is also very excited to have a future career in the theatre world!
One of her many favorite memories at Ambrose was acting in the production Rumors. She enjoyed how close the cast became with each other during the run and how they shared lots of laughs together on and off stage.
Another favorite moment was when she played the role of Cléante in SAU's production of Tartuffe. Carpenter really enjoyed playing this part because she had the opportunity to work with Dr. Corinne Johnson on developing this kind of character. She most recently starred in the role of Sandra Bloom in St. Ambrose's first fall 2019 main stage production, Big Fish.
"Ever since I was in Big Fish as an ensemble member, I knew I wanted to play Sandra," Carpenter said.
Based on her time and experience at SAU, Carpenter wanted to give words of advice to incoming freshman and theatre majors.
"A word of advice for any new person to the Department: Get involved quickly, and don't be afraid to jump on any opportunity that comes in your path," Carpenter said.
She would most definitely like to thank Dr. Johnson for being the calm in her very busy life and for constantly being there for advice and a hug when needed.
"Cory is such an amazing director, and I have grown so much as an actress working with her," Carpenter said.
Her heart also goes out to Dianne Dye, SAU costume shop manager, and Kris Eitrheim, SAU theatre professor and scenic designer, for constantly sharing their smiles with the Department.
Carpenter's next adventure will be participating in professional auditions at The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in hopes of getting work at a summer stock theater. In the future, she hopes to move to the Twin Cities or the Chicago area to focus on a career on the stage.
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