Reflections Magazine Issue #77 - Fall 2012 | Page 17

Feature Article

OPPORTUNITY
Mission Accomplished Series
This series of articles highlights individual examples
of the Siena Heights brand, “Opportunity U,” and
how the university’s mission is transforming the lives
of our students as well as the world around us.

Chloe Whiting Stevenson—2008 Graduate, Adrian Campus
Major: Theater/Speech Communication
Career plan: Studying and training in Italy to be a movement professor
Out of the Ordinary Factoid: This past summer she trained for five weeks at a “circus
school” in Torino, Italy, learning acrobatics, tightrope, aerials—even the trapeze!

“Several of our instructors were individuals who in the past have
trained Italians competing in the Olympics,” Stevenson said. “It was
wonderful that they trained us in similar styles. … I feel like the circus
training that we did allowed me to truly see what my body was capable
of as well as giving me a clear idea of what people who pursue circus
as a career must do every day.”
The program will also allow her to travel and study in different
parts of Europe over the next year.
“I knew that I wanted to see the world and study theatre and
movement,” Stevenson said. “This program allows me to do both, for
which I am truly grateful.”
Stevenson said the study of movement includes things like everyday motions such as walking or sitting to ballroom dancing, acrobatics
and athletics. And it is also “exploring the world and staying aware of
what is occurring around you,” Stevenson said.
She said she is particularly interested in the Japanese dance form
of butoh, which she studied while at Siena Heights.
“This dance form truly explores how to connect with the earth
and your own body,” Stevenson said.

Adjusting to the Italian lifestyle has taken some time, but Stevenson said now that she has a better grasp on the language (all the classes
are taught in Italian), things have been better. She said walking and
the train are the primary means of transportation, and the absence
of some of her favorite foods—tacos, peanut butter and hummus—
is mostly offset by the “amazing” Italian cuisine.
When she finishes her studies in December 2013, Stevenson said
she hopes to teach movement at a U.S. college or university.
“I feel like more theatre programs are recognizing movement’s
importance within the curriculum, so I am hoping that will help. …
Part of me really wants to stay in Europe, however, I feel that I will be
looking for jobs primarily in the United States so that I can be closer
to family.”
She said Siena Heights theatre professors Mark DiPietro, Kerry
Graves, Joni Warner and Doug Miller helped “move” her in the direction
of her passion.
“They were wonderful in helping me look at programs for movement,” she said. “I have had exposure to many wonderful professors
who have all aided me in looking for a place where I could continue
to hone my skills that originated at Siena.”
continued on the next page . . .