Theater Scholarship Recipient Amelia McGinnis Profile

What play would you recommend the Friends read?

I'm Not Running by David Hare. I saw the premiere at the National Theatre in London and fell in love with the show. 

What made you want to come to Mason?

For me, it was a very long process of choosing which school to attend. After taking a gap year, I probably applied to a total of 30 schools, but none felt right. Mason was the very last school I applied to after a previous principal had recommended the school. I chose Mason because it gave me the flexibility to pursue both choreography and stage management, while also giving me a sense of community. 

What School of Theater productions have you worked on?

I was working on Spring Awakening before Mason moved online. I have also worked on Rags, The Wolves, Originals! (x2), The Imaginary Invalid, and The Pillowman. 

What are you most looking forward to doing after social distancing has ended?

Reconnecting with friends. During social distancing, I've had the opportunity to reconnect with some of friends who live in different states, who I typically don't have the chance to talk to. I'm definitely excited to reconnect with my friends and colleagues who live here. I'm also looking forward to getting back into dance classes and being more active. 

What is your favorite musical?

Bandstand, which tells the story of a group of veterans returning home after World War II. They struggle to fit into their lives while dealing with the effects of war. Together, they form a band of veterans to compete in a radio contest, where they lean on each other and music to discover how they fit into their new lives. Bandstand is the first musical production to be certified by Got Your Six, confirming that this story is accurate to the veteran experience. 

What is your dream role or production to direct, design, or stage manage?

I would love to choreograph/direct Bandstand. In terms of stage management, I absolutely love stage managing large musical productions.