Hannah Czaplicki

“After graduating from Carthage, I plan to look for performance opportunities in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas. I grew up seeing theatre in both of these areas. To be able to give the upcoming generations the joy that I felt when seeing theatre for the first time would be an absolute dream. I’d also happily go back to my days of teaching children music performance and theatre with all of the new and improved skills Carthage has given me.”

“In high school, it was not okay to friend your teachers on Facebook before you graduated. At Carthage, you will probably be friends with all of your professors on Facebook by the end of your first semester, especially those from the music and theatre programs. Because our faculty members have so much experience in the field and so many connections in the industry, it is so important to build a strong relationship with them and never hesitate to reach out to them when you need help.”

“I am currently the music director of our a capella group, The Carthachords! We are the Barden Bellas of Carthage and welcome singers of all experience levels and majors to make amazing music in arrangements of songs by artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Little Mix, and Barlow and Bear!”

“I’ve had an opportunity to perform every semester I’ve been at Carthage — be it singing in choir, acting in a scene directed by a classmate, or performing in a full-blown musical. Each performance opportunity adds a new layer to who I am as an artist and gives me a new challenge to conquer. Especially in these difficult times during the pandemic, having these opportunities as methods of healing and escaping reality for a moment has been so rewarding.”

“I’ve met people here at Carthage whom I cannot imagine living my life without. I cherish every moment I get to share with these incredibly talented, hard-working, and just all-around great people.”

“Other schools may have more prestigious musical theatre programs, but they are difficult to get into because they often want a specific type of person. Carthage, on the other hand, wants your most authentic self and accepts people from all types of performance backgrounds and all levels of talent. 

“My advice for anyone looking into musical theatre is to never shy away from a program that wants to work with you as a human being and not just your talent. Just because a program has a certain reputation doesn’t mean it is the best option for you, and attending those bigger and well-known programs does not guarantee you becoming the next Barbra Streisand. Dig deep and follow your truth!”

“Not only is Carthage close to home for me, but it is also inclusive of everyone and will give you the tools and resources you need to prepare for the big leagues. Everyone here is your biggest fan and will always go to bat for you. That is the kind of community I aspire to be a part of, especially within the theatre industry.”