First-year Deborah Witherspoon has made quite the impression in her first months’ time at Gustavus. When Deb visited the college, she was happy to see the strength of the performing arts programs. After moving from Fremont, Cali., Deb became heavily involved in theatre, and is currently working on her third play.

Deb first entered the Gustavus theatre scene with this fall’s production of The Trojan Barbie, where she played the role of Cassandra, the daughter of Hecuba and a seer.

“I loved playing Cassandra, because I felt so connected to her. She’s bold and beautiful, I like to think the same of myself,” Deb said.

Close friend Madeline Struck vouches for Deb’s boldness, describing her as “wonderfully blunt.”

“She is strong and independen. All in all, she is honest, intelligent, absolutely hilarious, and a wonderful friend,” Struck said.

Struck also notes Deb’s passion and love for her family.

“If you get to know her even remotely, it will become apparent just how important her family is to her. She talks about her little cousins like they were her own children!”

Deb’s current focus is on the production of Hair, in which she plays the characters of Dionne and Abe  Lincoln. She describes her characters as “cool, funny, and sassy.” Much of the preparation for Hair was done during J-term, where performers spent eight hours a day in rehearsal. Hair is also more musically demanding than her previous performances.

“I do quite a bit of singing.Hopefully it’s good singing,” Deb said.

Deb called the intensive rehearsal experience “eye-opening, but fun.”

She is also very enthusiastic about the theatre instruction she has received here at Gustavus.

“My favorite part of being a student in the Theatre and Dance Department is the diversity of leadership. Amy [Seham] and Henry [McCarthy] have very different styles of directing and both are equally necessary for a student to experience because that kind of variety is something that one would encounter in the profession world,” Deb said.

Michael Quinn, who plays the character of Berger in Hair, has nothing but praise for his fellow performer.

“Deb is an awesome individual. She has the qualities of a natural leader, but makes sure to treat everyone equal,” Quinn said.

“She comes to rehearsal focused and ready to get things done. It’s been a privilege to work with her,” Quinn said.

Quinn is not the only fellow performer with praise for the upcoming actress.

Fellow actress, Baseme Osuamkpe, says Deb is “talented and very mature.”

“I’m so impressed with Deb and what she has been able to do in such a short amount of time in the Theatre department and around campus. I’m so excited to see what she has to offer to the Gustavus community in the years to come,” Osuamkpe said.

Allison Hosman, who has also been working with Deb on Hair says, “She’s extraordinary. I saw her in Trojan Barbie and she was one of the strongest actors on that stage.”

Deb has already begun work on her final production, Midsummer Night’s Dream, saying, “I can’t wait to really get into the text as we move along.”

When she isn’t busy with class or practice, Deb likes to read, write, and visit websites like Tumblr. Like many Gusties, Deb also enjoys watching Netflix when she gets the chance.

Though still undeclared, Deb plans to double major in Psychology and Theatre, focusing her studies on performance.

“Maybe I’ll pick up a dance minor, who knows.”

Deb hopes by the time she graduates she will be prepared to begin a career as a performer.

“My dream job is to work on Broadway.”