Amy Hart
Who are you and what significant contributions have you made to the organization?
My name is Amy Hart, but most of the CPTG organization will remember me as Amy Ziolkowski. I got involved with the Chappell Players when I was a sophomore. My college roommate, Sarah Goncalves, had been a cast member in the 2006 production of Seussical, so I was first introduced to the Little Theatre as an audience member. Sarah was the one who encouraged me to get involved the following year. I was cast in Batboy in 2007...and that was it. I was hooked. I tried to throw myself into anything and everything theatre-related from then on. From being onstage as a performer in musicals and the Cabaret for Charity, to various behind the scenes roles ranging from costume/wardrobe design for children's shows, straight plays, and the Dance Concert, student producing, and stage managing (once!), it seemed that the Little Theatre was often my second home. I served as the Treasurer of the organization my junior year, then Vice President as a senior. I was also a member of APO.
My name is Amy Hart, but most of the CPTG organization will remember me as Amy Ziolkowski. I got involved with the Chappell Players when I was a sophomore. My college roommate, Sarah Goncalves, had been a cast member in the 2006 production of Seussical, so I was first introduced to the Little Theatre as an audience member. Sarah was the one who encouraged me to get involved the following year. I was cast in Batboy in 2007...and that was it. I was hooked. I tried to throw myself into anything and everything theatre-related from then on. From being onstage as a performer in musicals and the Cabaret for Charity, to various behind the scenes roles ranging from costume/wardrobe design for children's shows, straight plays, and the Dance Concert, student producing, and stage managing (once!), it seemed that the Little Theatre was often my second home. I served as the Treasurer of the organization my junior year, then Vice President as a senior. I was also a member of APO.
How was the transition from college to the real world? How was life after graduation?
Truthfully, the transition was good. I didn't have much downtime after graduating from St. John's. I moved back to the Chicago area and started mortuary school the September after graduating. During that time, I lived and worked at a Jewish funeral home in Skokie, Illinois while I studied to be a funeral director. After mortuary school, I took my first job as an apprentice funeral director in a small town in Iowa. I have been in Iowa ever since, and have been working in funeral service for nine years. In the meantime, I met my husband, Jesse, who is an elementary school teacher. We live in a restored historic home near downtown Cedar Rapids with our two-year-old son, Aaron. I work at one of the funeral homes in town as a licensed funeral director. I also get to engage in a little bit of creative writing as a certified celebrant, writing and then officiating ceremonies for families, as well as public speaking as the community education and outreach presenter for my firm.
Truthfully, the transition was good. I didn't have much downtime after graduating from St. John's. I moved back to the Chicago area and started mortuary school the September after graduating. During that time, I lived and worked at a Jewish funeral home in Skokie, Illinois while I studied to be a funeral director. After mortuary school, I took my first job as an apprentice funeral director in a small town in Iowa. I have been in Iowa ever since, and have been working in funeral service for nine years. In the meantime, I met my husband, Jesse, who is an elementary school teacher. We live in a restored historic home near downtown Cedar Rapids with our two-year-old son, Aaron. I work at one of the funeral homes in town as a licensed funeral director. I also get to engage in a little bit of creative writing as a certified celebrant, writing and then officiating ceremonies for families, as well as public speaking as the community education and outreach presenter for my firm.
Did being involved in the Chappell Players prepare you for life after college? How so?
Absolutely. The most relevant applications that theatre had for my life after college was knowing my self-worth and having confidence. As a Chappell Player, I felt like I was a valued part of a team, and that my contributions, whatever they were, helped shape whatever it was that we were creating. I rely on some of the skills I gained in the Little Theatre every day in my job: speaking with confidence, presenting well, and having an acute sense of storytelling and production. Funeral service and theatre have so many parallels. I could go on. Theatre was such an important part of my college experience, because it was my community. We were a group of kids who came from all over, with our own life experiences, encouraging one another, challenging one another, and working together week after week toward a common goal. Being a Chappell Player exposed me to so many different people, each with their own beautiful, creative soul. Did we have conflict? You bet. What family doesn't? Those moments spent in the theatre, maybe at the time didn't seem like lessons, but they are some of my most treasured learning experiences. My very best friendships were formed in that space and in that community.
Absolutely. The most relevant applications that theatre had for my life after college was knowing my self-worth and having confidence. As a Chappell Player, I felt like I was a valued part of a team, and that my contributions, whatever they were, helped shape whatever it was that we were creating. I rely on some of the skills I gained in the Little Theatre every day in my job: speaking with confidence, presenting well, and having an acute sense of storytelling and production. Funeral service and theatre have so many parallels. I could go on. Theatre was such an important part of my college experience, because it was my community. We were a group of kids who came from all over, with our own life experiences, encouraging one another, challenging one another, and working together week after week toward a common goal. Being a Chappell Player exposed me to so many different people, each with their own beautiful, creative soul. Did we have conflict? You bet. What family doesn't? Those moments spent in the theatre, maybe at the time didn't seem like lessons, but they are some of my most treasured learning experiences. My very best friendships were formed in that space and in that community.
What is your favorite CPTG memory or performance?
I could name so many. Learning how to put on stage makeup for the first time at a CPTG workshop. Papier-macheing a cauldron formed from chicken wire and wood at who knows what time in the morning. Nearly falling to my doom from atop an unsecured platform during Grimm rehearsals. Somehow never making it out unscathed from set strike, including a trip to the Queens ER after a bass drum fell on my head from on top of one of the green room lockers. My favorite onstage performance as an audience member at the Little Theatre was a Dance Concert number performed by Olivia Hartle and Caitlyn Mason to the song Fireflies. It spoke to me at such an emotional level then, and I still get a lump in my throat remembering it. My favorite performance experience was Grimm, from start to finish. Kenny Kruper and Jon Randhawa worked so incredibly hard to make their vision a reality. I probably didn't appreciate it as much then as I do now, looking back at the experience. What beautiful songwriting and storytelling from such young people. It was a privilege to get to be involved with such a creative group.
I could name so many. Learning how to put on stage makeup for the first time at a CPTG workshop. Papier-macheing a cauldron formed from chicken wire and wood at who knows what time in the morning. Nearly falling to my doom from atop an unsecured platform during Grimm rehearsals. Somehow never making it out unscathed from set strike, including a trip to the Queens ER after a bass drum fell on my head from on top of one of the green room lockers. My favorite onstage performance as an audience member at the Little Theatre was a Dance Concert number performed by Olivia Hartle and Caitlyn Mason to the song Fireflies. It spoke to me at such an emotional level then, and I still get a lump in my throat remembering it. My favorite performance experience was Grimm, from start to finish. Kenny Kruper and Jon Randhawa worked so incredibly hard to make their vision a reality. I probably didn't appreciate it as much then as I do now, looking back at the experience. What beautiful songwriting and storytelling from such young people. It was a privilege to get to be involved with such a creative group.
Have you been able to remain involved with theatre as much as you hoped/wanted?
I have not been able to be involved with theatre post-college. It is something I am very interested in, however. My work schedule as a funeral director and my life schedule being a mom right now make getting to rehearsals and being available for shows pretty tough, but I intend to make it a part of my life. My city has a top notch community theatre, and I am hopeful that someday soon I can become a part of this theatre community too.
I have not been able to be involved with theatre post-college. It is something I am very interested in, however. My work schedule as a funeral director and my life schedule being a mom right now make getting to rehearsals and being available for shows pretty tough, but I intend to make it a part of my life. My city has a top notch community theatre, and I am hopeful that someday soon I can become a part of this theatre community too.
Do you have any advice for Chappell Players going through college or those who have recently graduated?
I wish I had something profound ready for this question. The best advice I have for the current Chappell Players is simply: Have fun. Make friends. Get wrapped up in the little moments. Be unapologetic. Take risks. Be bold. To the recent graduates, life after college can be disorienting and tough at times, but you're doing great. Don't lose sight of your goals. Remember how far you've come. Also, have fun. Make friends. Take risks. And be bold.
I wish I had something profound ready for this question. The best advice I have for the current Chappell Players is simply: Have fun. Make friends. Get wrapped up in the little moments. Be unapologetic. Take risks. Be bold. To the recent graduates, life after college can be disorienting and tough at times, but you're doing great. Don't lose sight of your goals. Remember how far you've come. Also, have fun. Make friends. Take risks. And be bold.
