Renée Dwyer
(she/her/hers)
BFA Musical Theatre, Dance Emphasis
Class of 2023
Email: bbs.renee@gmail.com
IG: @ren.dwy
FB: Renee Dwyer
What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?
My favorite thing about CCPA is the supportive environment created by the students/faculty. It genuinely feels like everyone is always rooting for you to succeed.
What would you change about your program? Why?
I would love to see the different majors (Acting, MT, and MT Dance) have more classes together. I think that oftentimes I learn the most from my peers and from watching other people work, and I would love for the programs to be more integrated so that we all have the chance to see each other’s work and progress.
How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!
CCPA is definitely a very supportive environment. If you’re looking for a cut-throat, super competitive program, this school is probably not for you. Both the students and faculty are incredibly kind and understanding, and genuinely care so much about your progress and well-being.
What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?
The biggest surprise about my program for me was how many incredible connections I have been able to make with various teachers, directors, and choreographers in Chicago, and how many opportunities we are given through the school to see theatre in the city.
What makes your program unique?
Being in downtown Chicago is definitely something that really sets CCPA apart. Chicago is an incredible theatre city with a lot of non-equity houses, as opposed to NYC, and so there are a lot of opportunities to get your foot in the door and audition in the city. Also, CCPA does not have any theatre tech majors, so all of the technical behind-the-scenes work is done by theatre students. I was able to get a job at school working in set construction and it is now something that I really enjoy and am very passionate about. I have developed a lot of different skills besides performing that will be useful to me in the future.
Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?
We have general auditions at the beginning of each semester. Everyone is guaranteed casting once a year, but many people are cast both semesters. You will also be given a tech assignment for each semester which you have a say in choosing.
What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Double majors? Minors?
It is definitely possible to participate in extracurriculars. I have friends who participate in Greek life, and who are on the dance team. It is not possible to double major, but minoring is possible as long as your schedule allows for it. It would be particularly difficult for the Dance Emphasis majors because of how many credit hours we have already, but it is definitely possible to minor in something if you’re really set on it.
Does your school help you pursue professional working opportunities during the year, over the summer, and/or post-graduation? How so?
Somewhat, yes. CCPA will typically reserve a block of sign-ups at most of the larger summer stock auditions and conferences. Seniors and upperclassmen typically get priority, but occasionally it is on a first come first serve basis. We have a senior showcase each year that is shown to agents and casting directors in Chicago, and many of our faculty are current working actors and directors in the city, so you can make a lot of very useful connections that will serve you well post-grad.
Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?
I would love to see more leniency when it comes to auditioning/performing outside of school. There is a tendency amongst some of the faculty to be fairly strict about students accepting outside work in the city while in school. I think that this attitude is shifting, especially with recent changes in leadership at CCPA, and I hope this shift continues. It would also be great to see an increase in quality and availability of mental health resources at CCPA and Roosevelt as a whole.
What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?
It depends on the teacher of course, but for the most part there is a very collaborative and friendly relationship between students and faculty, and you really get the sense that your teachers genuinely care about you both as a person and a performer. Teachers are always willing to meet with students outside of class if you need particular feedback, or if you just have questions about the business in general.
What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?
There is typically a very open line of communication between students and faculty, and you are always encouraged to meet with teachers outside of class if you have any specific concerns or would like further feedback from class. In most of our classes, there are opportunities for students to watch each other work, and you are able to get feedback directly from your classmates.
What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment?
CCPA launched an initiative for Racial Equity and Minority Student Success within the past year and a half, of which one of CCPA’s voice faculty is the head. CCPA also has an annual production called Color Me in which the entire cast and production team is made up of students of color within the Theatre Conservatory. A few of our classes, such as our theatre history class, have been modified to focus more on social justice issues and talk about theatre in a more global sense, as opposed to solely focusing on the United States and Europe. CCPA definitely still has a long way to go in terms of creating an equitable environment, but there has been a lot of progress since I first got here, and I am optimistic that it will continue to improve.
What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health?
Roosevelt has an app called Timely Care through which you can schedule medical and mental health appointments. The program was launched within the past year, and care still is not always the most accessible, but the good thing is that we are right in the heart of a major city with an urgent care on every street corner, and all kinds of incredibly qualified medical and mental health professionals.
What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?
I was honestly very worried about making friends and about whether I would get along with the other people in my class. I am naturally a more introverted person, and so coming into a new environment, especially one filled with mostly extroverted musical theatre majors, seemed like a really daunting thing. But I could tell when I auditioned at CCPA that the overall environment of the school felt very welcoming and safe, and so I trusted my gut, and have ended up making absolutely incredible friendships with some of the most wonderful people I know.
How did you know that this was the right place for you?
I knew that CCPA was the right place for me because the MTD (Musical Theatre Dance) program was exactly the kind of triple-threat program that I was looking for. I also knew going into the audition process that I wanted to be very close to a city, and it doesn’t get much better than being right smack dab in the middle of Chicago. I visited and absolutely fell in love with the city and the atmosphere of CCPA made me feel very safe and at-ease which I knew was going to be important in order for me to feel comfortable taking risks and pushing myself as an artist.
Lynsy Folckomer (she/her/hers)
BFA Acting
Class of 2022
Email: lrfolckomer@gmail.com
IG: @official.lynsy
FB: Lynsy Folckomer
TikTok: @givennamelynay
What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?
I never expected myself to graduate as such a flexible and confident artist- but when you graduate from CCPA you graduate a jack of all trades! I’ve written, directed, filmed, starred-in, and edited so many projects throughout my time here- I learned to juggle, sound design, paint a realistic wood pattern, sew, stage manage, do splits, walk a tightrope, make shadow puppets... at CCPA if you can dream it, you’ll probably have to do it for a project at some point.
What would you change about your program? Why?
I think that the “social justice” role of Roosevelt University (RU) is fulfilled primarily by the care and dedication to social justice that our student body has. If there is one thing I could change, I would want RU to support that systemically more than it does currently. (We’re having a lot of admin changes right now which feels like a step in the right direction, though!)
How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!
Supportive, creative, silly, kind, RESILIENT, activists.
What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?
You will have a suspicious amount of free time freshman year: embrace it and use that time to explore the city and all the free and discounted opportunities you get as a student, because you’re going to be really busy most of the time!
What makes your program unique?
The focus on social justice that our student body and faculty has- you really learn to see art as a way of impacting the world around you.
Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?
Freshman are not in the casting pool and instead participate in their own showcases. Otherwise, you can absolutely be cast as a leading role at any stage in your education, but stay humble because there are always a lot of people going for a small number of roles, and CCPA definitely has their favorites in season productions (which has nothing to do with talent).
What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Double majors? Minors?
We tend to use time outside of class for work and performance opportunities within or outside of the school- some people choose to branch outside of theatre in their free time but not many. You also shouldn’t expect to have a lot of free time on your hands- if you take on too many additional responsibilities you will likely feel stretched too thin. I would recommend only adding to your plate when you’re not working on a show.
Does your school help you pursue professional working opportunities during the year, over the summer, and/or post-graduation? How so?
Our theatre department sends audition and work opportunity update emails and teachers will often pull strings to bring people into our classrooms to watch us work and answer questions we may have. Post-grad, it’s really about the relationships you choose to nurture. When you show someone that you are enthusiastic about working with them and getting involved in this field they will keep you in mind and look out for you.
Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?
I wish that there was more financial support available for students, and opportunities to receive more scholarship money (make sure you haggle with them before you accept your spot, set yourself up well with financial aid because it’s really hard to get them to give you more money after that!).
What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?
I consider every core member of my faculty a friend and a coworker. They’re smart and caring people who have a lot to teach you! There’s the occasional bad apple, but know that you are always empowered to ask for what you need and if you’re met with resistance, talk to a faculty member you trust instead.
What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?
For about my first two years of college we were encouraged to only give feedback based on what another person’s work made us feel/think but we were not allowed to give critical feedback because of where we were in our training and because there is a dialogue around feedback that is learnt over time at CCPA. Our faculty are careful to make sure that we aren’t giving or receiving conflicting or rude feedback. You will have opportunities to work on notes you receive in class, in private sessions, and on your own time- it’s all about the process!
What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment?
This year the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion began hosting workshops and town halls regularly, with a specific time in all CCPA student schedules carved out to have no classes so students would not have conflicting availability with the meetings. We also have several student-lead groups that focus on inclusivity in the structures and artistic spaces of our school. That being said, RU needs to work harder at fixing how it systemically pushes BIPOC students out of its spaces.
What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health?
There are self-care fairs and workshops but they often conflict with our class schedules, defeating its purpose. They’re working to make these events more accessible, but for me the most beneficial dynamic in place was having a relationship with my teachers where I could tell them when myself or my peers were overworked or needed accommodations. They’ve always respected our privacy and have always been happy to work with us on deadlines and requirements.
What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?
Belonging! If you care about your art and about being good to people, you have nothing to worry about. The people at CCPA immediately stood out to me years ago because of how kind they were to everyone and how happy they were to be there. Embrace being in a space with people who share your passions and respect your work, don’t be afraid to be yourself, and make choices!
How did you know that this was the right place for you?
Aside from how nice everyone was, I loved that CCPA was so focused on creation and getting outside of your comfort zone. I shadowed Jim Iorio’s circus class and everyone was so excited to have me in their space and welcomed me right in, and I loved seeing the characters and scenes these people had devised all on their own! I accepted my spot that day. Now Jim is my facebook friend and one of my favorite mentors :)