Senior Spotlight Brian Liebforth

This month's Senior Spotlight is the always entertaining Brian Leibforth!

Brian has shown off his abilities with quite a range of roles during his time at SAU, from downright depressing characters such as Phillip in Orphans, to much cheerier and lighthearted roles, such as his upcoming performance as Einstein in Picasso in the Lapin Agile.

He also directed the very recent Studio Theatre show, Lonely Planet, starring sophomore TJ Green and 2017 SAU graduate Max Moline.

If you're looking for a talented and multi-faceted thespian, Brian is your guy. Also, if you're looking for someone to come up with slogans for your new ad campaign, he can do that too, since he is double majoring in Theatre and Marketing/Public Relations.

Let's see what Brian has to say about his time at SAU as well as his time directing Lonely Planet!

Hometown: Evergreen Park, Illinois

Majors: Marketing and Theater

How would you describe yourself?
I'm not sure how I would describe myself; I'm a very complex person.

What has been your favorite acting role or position at St. Ambrose and why?
I love them all to be honest, but if I had to choose a favorite it would probably be between Philip from the play Orphans or John from the play The Realistic Joneses. Philip from Orphans because I had loved that character since high school, so it was a dream come true to be able to play him. John from The Realistic Joneses because I felt like I was playing myself, and I had such a connection to that character.

You recently closed Lonely Planet, a show which you selected and directed. What was it like running your own show? Do you see yourself directing more in the future? 
Directing Lonely Planet was very stressful, but also exhilarating. I love every part of directing, and I hope that I will have the opportunity to do it again.

Speaking of which, what are your overall plans for your future? 
Oh my gosh! You sound like my parents. I have no clue, to be honest. I think I'm going to flip a coin, hopefully win the lottery, and not have to worry about any of this.

What was your biggest worry about directing Lonely Planet? What was the result of that worry?
I was very worried that people would hate it. Thankfully, that just made me work harder as a director, and I think the show turned out well.

What is your favorite memory from directing Lonely Planet? 
Hearing the reactions from the audience every night.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time at St. Ambrose?
My time acting, directing, and being involved in the theatre department in general have been some of my favorite memories.

Is there any advice you would like to share? 
Just always do what you love. Four years goes by quickly.

Thank you, Brian, for all your hard work these past years. If you would like to see Brian perform, come see Picasso at the Lapin Agile, where he will be portraying Einstein. We wish you the best of luck with that lottery! Just know that the stage here at SAU would love for you to come back any time.