Name: Mallory Hewell
Position in School of Theatre: Senior B.A. Stage Manager, Electrician, FATO Asst. Manager!
Hometown: Port St. John, Florida
1. How did you get your start in theatre?
I began theatre in 9th grade with a production of Ferris Wheel. I performed for a couple of years and then found my passion for stage management towards the end of my high school career and it’s what I’m still pursuing.
2. What is the best performance you have ever seen OR what is the craziest thing that has happened to you during a performance?
I could talk all day about crazy things that have happened with performances here at FSU. It’s a whole different show with its own choreography backstage especially with shows like On the Town and Jesus Christ Superstar. The craziest thing that I’ve personally had to do as a performer though is get painted head to toe in blue acrylic paint for the role of Ariel in The Tempest. (High schools don’t really have true makeup departments, so naturally we resort to acrylic paint!)
3. If you could have any career outside of theatre, what would it be and why?
Initially I want to say a stay at home mom, but I know I would get bored…I’d probably like to be a part of some kind of event planning. Weddings, conventions, something along those lines.
4. What inspires you in your free time/ what do you do for fun?
I enjoy reading. I don’t do it nearly as much as I’d like to, but I find that it’s a really useful tool to get my mind off of things and just relax sometimes.
5. What brought you to Florida State?
I’ve been a Seminole since the day I was born and as soon as I even knew what college was I made sure everyone knew that I was going to be a student at Florida State University! There was never any serious consideration of other schools because I knew this is where I wanted to be, and I’ve never regretted that decision for one second.
6. If you could give an aspiring theatre artist any piece of advice, what would it be?
Get involved! It sounds cliché and everyone says it, but it’s the truth. If you’re an actor and don’t get cast, don’t give up on the production. There is so much that goes into a show and learning about every department is only going to inform your career as a theatre artist. Also, go and see shows. I think when we get really busy we tend to forget there are productions that exist outside of ours. So much of what we all do is based in support from one another.
7. Wild Card Question: If you were a super hero character, who would you be and why?
I would probably be Rogue so that I could see what everyone else’s powers were like. I like being able to understand people and why they do and say things and act a certain way, and I think being able to try out other Superhero’s powers would give me some insight into that.