Blaire Butler began dancing when she was three, and she has been involved in the performing arts ever since. With a theatre major and dance minor, the junior spent two summers in New York because she decided she needed to see the competition outside of Wittenberg.
“I realized I needed to increase my theatre skills – so I went online and looked up community theatres in the area,” Butler says. “I saw an ad for the Dayton Playhouse and auditioned.”
Her actions resulted in a part in the three-act British farce, Noises Off. Butler landed the double role of Brooke and Vicki.
“The characters are so different, one is British, the other American, and while the actor Brooke is not bright, she’s clueless – she plays a very smart character,” Butler explains. The play opens Jan. 11, and the opportunity will help build her resumé.
She will soon begin preparations for a part in the Feb. 21-24 Mainstage campus production, Kuang Biao (Wild Wind), a contemporary Chinese play that deals with the development of theatre in China.
“My character is Chu Lianxiu, and although most of the play is in English, I will have to learn Chinese since certain phrases are important to the play.”
Wittenberg is a perfect size for Butler. The smaller class sizes don’t make her feel bombarded or overwhelmed, “We’re individuals, not numbers,” she says, and adds that she appreciates the personal attention from her professors.
“Being a theatre major demands a straight focus on your work, and time management.”
- Written by Phyllis Eberts '00
- Photo by Robbie Gantt
