Clarice Pesce is a senior in the Walnut Grove Theatre program. She is currently going through the college audition process to pursue a degree in musical theatre.

1. What made you first start theatre?

Pesce: I started doing it in middle school because when I lived in California, I went to go see one of my friends in a show. It was Mulan Jr. or something like that. It’s just such a different environment from anything else. I feel like, just like the feeling of being in there and watching people just enjoy and do what they love and be completely different from how you see them. It’s just so intriguing and and I think that really was what kind of pushed me to start doing it. Just like seeing how much other people love it and seeing that on their faces while they’re doing it.

2. Do you have a favorite memory from high school theatre so far?

Pesce: Yes, one time we were doing our show, we were using a hot sauce bottle as like a prop for what’s supposed to be a soda bottle. And we left it on the ladder and my director came over and accidentally knocked it off. So we just had hot sauce on the floor of our black box floor. This is just something we talk about all the time. 

3. Do you have a favorite role that you’ve done throughout high school?

Pesce: Yes, we did a show earlier this year called The Play That Goes Wrong. And I’ve never really done like a full on comedy before, so it was so different from anything that I’ve ever had to do. Just playing this role really helped me expand what I can do as a performer. The feeling of making other people laugh feels really great to be on stage and do that for the first time. It was so fun.

4. Do you have advice for people who are auditioning?

Pesce: To prepare for an audition, I think that you can’t go into it being nervous because nobody in there is going to judge you. Especially if you’re new, it can be so nerve-racking to be in front of two directors that you’ve never worked with before, you have to go into it excited and take risks. I think that if you go in there and you’re shy and you don’t want to do big things things that you might think are embarrassing, then you’re they’re not going to see the potential in you. I just think that you just have to be kind and be willing to be adaptable with the process.

5. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve taken away from doing theatre?

Pesce: I think the thing that I’ve learned the most is you have to fail well. You’re not going to do everything perfect the first time. It is hard. You can be a great artist, you can be great at playing an instrument, but I think specifically for theater you’re dealing with so many different things every time you do a new show. There’s always going to be a new issue that comes up. And I think that you can’t be afraid to not do something well the first time. And I think that’s something that I’ve definitely struggle with in the past. Being able to take the risks shows that you’re willing to learn.

6. Who would you say is your biggest support when it comes to theatre?

Pesce: Probably the other people in the department. They’re some of the best friends that I’ve made here, and they really understand. Sometimes it gets hard to talk to other people who aren’t specifically in theater because it is just so different from everything else. When you need to go to somebody for help with learning your lines or if you’re struggling with a specific role they will always be there to help you and guide you through it. They also know how it feels to be stuck in those kind of spots and they always are there to help encourage you.

7. What is the college audition process like for theatre?

Pesce: You have to apply academically on Common app. After that, there’s this thing called pre-screens where you have to film specific videos for them. So most of them have a slate, two songs, and then you have monologues. Then you film your dance video, which is a minute long dance. Then there’s this thing called a wild card video. It can be anything that shows more of who you are. I did one where my dog likes to sing with me. You submit those plus an extra fee for submitting your prescreen. Then, they’ll send out callback emails. You can call back or you don’t. Then you have to schedule a callback time that can be virtual or in person at their school or they have this thing called Unified where a bunch of schools meet up in Chicago, New York or LA., and you travel up there and do your callbacks up there. And then after your callbacks, you just kind of wait until March or April and then they send your decisions back and decide if you get in anywhere you want to go.

8. How selective is the audition process?

Pesce: I think my top school is Texas State. They accept 14 kids a year, which is less than 1% of applicants. And keep in mind, there’s thousands of people auditioning. So sometimes the programs have a lower acceptance rate than an Ivy League school. I think that’s something people don’t really realize. You can be the most talented person in the room, but if they have somebody who looks like you, if they have somebody who already sounds like you, acts like you they probably won’t pick you. It’s very subjective.

9. What is your ultimate career goal after studying theatre?

Pesce: It is hard to do it anywhere. I just love doing it and I love just showcasing my art specifically. It doesn’t have to be Broadway. It doesn’t have to be national tours. I just want a way to kind of bring people together and showcase these stories that mean so much to me. I don’t care if I’m doing theatre in a warehouse in the middle of New York or something. I just want other people to feel that same love for what I love to do.

10. Do you have a dream role or production to be a part of?

Pesce: Yes. My favorite show ever is Hadestown. I want to play Eurydice so bad. I would play anybody in that show, to be honest. I’ve also been really getting into a musical called Next to Normal recently. There’s a character named Natalie Goodman, who I would absolutely love to play. I think she is so challenging and such a complex character, and I would love to be able to do that.

11. Do you have a dream role or production to be a part of?

Pesce: Just keep an open mind. Also, when you get stressed out, find something else outside of theatre to do. Theatre does not have to be your whole life. Have a hobby on the side or something that you can do as an escape because it gets stressful. You are dedicating so much time and so much emotion and so much vulnerability of yourself to that program and to the shows that you’re in. I just think that it’s important to have friends that are outside of theatre and hobbies outside of theatre. Know what calms you down when you’re stressed out.