August 2017 Spotlight Andrew Ralston
Posted by Katie Murphy on 8/1/2017
Name: Andrew Ralston
Years active in SHS theater: 4 years
Year graduated: 2015
Current Major: Theatre with an emphasis in Costume Design
University: Emporia State University
What roles did you play/crew positions did you have while a part of SHS theater?
2011-Jerry/Soc, The Outsiders
2012-Detective O'Farrell/Ensemble, Curtains
2012-Doctor Phillips, Louder I Can't Hear You
2013-Chuck Cranston, Footloose
2013-Norman Reese, Out of the Frying Pan
2014-Cat in the Hat, Seussical
2014-Juror 8,12 Angry Jurors
2015-Charlie Brown, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
2015- Jack Worthing, The Importance of Being Earnest
What made you choose to do theater at Seaman High School?
I've had a major interest in theater. When I was in the fourth grade, I was in the high school's production of The Sound of Music. So I was already familiar with Mrs. Payne and I really enjoyed working with her and my peers in the department.
What is one of your favorite memories, roles or activities while you were a part of SHS theater?
I really had a lot of fun being a part of the process of getting the school to allow us to add a third show to our season during the school year. We then had the idea to only use the costume, set pieces, and props we had stored in our department. The money we earned from tickets was a profit for the department and that was nice to know we were making money.
How have your experiences as a part of SHS theater influenced or helped you in your life and career?
Being a part of the SHS theater department was always filled with learning experiences.
Specifically, with my senior year, I began to work more with our technical director, Ms. Murphy, and I got more interested in costuming as well as making decisions on what the shows for our next season will be. Costume design was never a career path I wanted to pursue until entering college. Once I began looking further into the technical theater I found myself in the costume shop more often and I started to find a bigger passion for creating and working with costumes.
What are you currently doing as a part of the theater community?
I am currently attending Emporia State University majoring in theater with an emphasis in costume design.
I am also employed by my Department in the costume shop where I construct and repair all of our costumes during the entire school theater season.
Locally, I just finished a production of Heathers the Musical where I played Kurt Kelly at Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy. I also had the opportunity to assistant costume design which was such an amazing learning experience.
If you are currently or did previously major in theater, did you receive any theatrical scholarships?
At Emporia State, I received the Frank L. Gilson Scholarship. I also received the Emporia Theatre Guild Scholarship.
This current year, I am the first recipient of the Herb Wyrick and Elwood P. Doud Scholarship.
What theater experiences have you had since graduating from SHS?
2015- Lucas, bare a pop opera- Topeka Civic Theatre
2015-Nicely Nicely, Guys and Dolls- Helen Hocker Theatre
2015- James Hayes/Ensemble, South Pacific- Emporia State University Theater
2016- Costume Crew, The Birds- Emporia State University Theater
2016-Ambrose Biardi-Coming to America-Emporia State University Summer Theater
2016-Costume Crew, The Dinner Party-Emporia State University Summer Theater
2016-Robert, Don't Dress for Dinner -Emporia State University Summer Theater
2016-Assistant Stage Manager, The Stinky Cheese Man-Emporia State University Summer Theater
2016-Costume Construction-Big River-Emporia State University Theater
2016-Assistant Stage Manager, The 39 Steps-Emporia State University Theater
2017-Costume Construction, Six Characters in Search of an Author-Emporia State University Theater
2017- Edward Ferrars, Sense and Sensibility- Emporia State University Theater
2017 - Kurt Kelly, Heathers the Musical Topeka Civic Theater
2017 - Assistant Costume Designer, Heathers the Musical Topeka Civic Theater
What piece of theatrical advice would you give your fellow SHS theater alumni?
When entering college or just post-high school, please stay involved in theater. Most colleges allow non-majors to still participate and stay involved in their season shows. The arts always need support and the more we have involved the better we keep the arts well represented.