Howard Community College

HAPPENINGS Spring 2018 | Pathways 17 Alumni Makes Professional Stage Debut in Rep Stage's "All She Must Possess" Keri Eastridge wasn't always an actress. A soccer player in high school, she discovered theatre at HCC because she finally had time to try something new. Eastridge got her start in a production through Arts Collective, HCC's student and community theatre group, and then she joined HCC's theatre program—and has been shining on stage ever since. In February, she made her professional stage debut playing the Writer in Rep Stage's production of "All She Must Possess," by local playwright Susan McCully. Rep Stage, the professional regional theatre in residence at HCC, premiered this new work as part of the 2018 DC Women's Voices Theater Festival. The play is a celebration of Dr. Claribel and Miss Etta Cone, who lived in Baltimore in the early twentieth century and amassed one of the world's greatest Modern Art collections. "The Writer has written a realistic play about the lives of the Cone sisters," Eastridge said. "She is intrigued by their lives and particularly inspired by Etta." She credits HCC for preparing her for such a role. "HCC definitely helped me, especially considering I knew nothing about theatre until I got here. They prepared me for auditions, taught me the proper theatre etiquette, and gave me the opportunity to audition for a variety of shows." She remembers gathering up the courage to audition for that first Arts Collective production during her first semester. "I was terrified. I remember my knees shaking," she recalled. Sue Kramer, Arts Collective producing artistic director, remembers their first meeting. "Keri and I met the summer of 2010 during an Arts Collective workshop series. Her instincts, gifts, and work ethic as an actor and human being were beautifully genuine, honest, and way beyond her years. I knew I would be working with her on future projects and that we did!" Eastridge went on to act in a show at HCC every semester until she graduated with an associate degree in acting in 2014. Associate Professor Jenny Male's classes were particularly memorable. "Her dialects class and musical theatre dance were my favorite," she said. "Some of my fondest memories were working on 'Peter Pan' with Sue and 'Urinetown: The Musical' with Jenny." After her time at HCC, Eastridge attended University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she continued to act until she graduated in spring 2017. She spent the following winter auditioning for graduate schools, and hopes to continue her education this fall. She is honored to have played a part in Rep Stage's world premiere production. Eastridge says she auditioned in spring 2017 and was contacted by Rep Stage Producing Artistic Director Joseph Ritsch in the fall about auditioning for "All She Must Possess," which Ritsch directed. "Working with Keri has been a great experience. Her passion for the work, and deep commitment to the play are qualities that every director wants in an actor," said Ritsch. "Her professionalism and artistic instincts are very much on the same level of the seasoned actors she is working with. Keri is the second graduate of the HCC theatre program I have hired since my arrival, and I am so happy that we have been able to offer this opportunity." She tried to contain her excitement when Ritsch called to say she had the part. "But I don't think I did a very good job because I heard Joseph chuckle on the phone," she said. "This was my first professional acting job. I feel incredibly grateful that I got to have my first experience with such an amazing theatre company." Photo by Katie Simmons-Barth

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