Student actress prepares for play
Nate Billings

Staff Writer

One of the main characters stepped on stage. The role was of an Indian man, but the one portraying the character was not a man. She was Rachel Weisensee, junior theatre major.

 Her versatility is incredible,  said Dr. Alex Pinkston, associate professor of theatre.  I think if she wanted to, she could work in professional theater or TV. 

Weisensee said she started theater in high school and wanted to continue with it through college.

 I plan to go to graduate school,  Weisensee said.

She would like to go to a graduate school with a musical theatre major. Weisensee said she would like to some day act in a musical theatre, but has also considered teaching children.

During the past summer, she worked at the Joplin Little Theatre. She taught a two-week children s workshop. She also portrayed Snow White in the children s play.

 You d be amazed at how enthused they (the children) are,  she said.  It was a good experience. 

Weisensee recieved an acting scholarship to come to Southern.

 It sort of encompasses your whole life and free time,  Weisensee said.

Her friends notice the work effort she has put into her acting.

 Rachel is one of the most dedicated people I know,  said Jimmy Noriega, senior theatre and English major.

Her friends also appreciate her personality.

 Although she is one of the busiest people I know, she always has time to be a good friend,  said Julie Krummel, senior speech and theatre major.

Both Krummel and Noriega said Weisensee is a hard worker and is passionate about her work.

Krummel said even though Weisensee was ill, she still came to rehearsals.

Weisensee has been in several plays during her years at Missouri Southern. She has had roles in The Pajama Game, Romantic Comedy, and Rakashasa s Ring. She will be in the upcoming play Free to be You and Me next semester.

Weisensee has portrayed roles ranging from a ditzy secretary in The Pajama Game to a male Indian minister in Rakashasa s Ring.

 She works hard to improve her roles,  Pinkston said.

Weisensee said she would like to point out to the students that the Southern theatre is an educational theatre, and she would like people to,  be more open-minded to the things our department does. 

The opinions of Weisensee s friends could be summed up with one of Pinkston s statements.

 She s delightful to work with - everything you d want a professional actor to be,  he said.

Jessica Firor/The Chart

Rachel Weisensee prepares for a performance by putting on her stage makeup. Weisensee has performed in numerous plays while attending Southern. She will be acting in the upcoming play Free to be You and Me.