Encouraged to Try New Things
Grace Allen, a theatre and English major minoring in creative writing, stumbled upon Franklin College by chance. However, when touring the campus, she immediately knew that this was the place for her.
“I really loved it. Out of all the schools I toured, it just felt the best and most welcoming. As soon as I toured here, I decided that this was where I wanted to go. When I met with professors, I felt like I could connect a lot more with them than at a public university, and I feel like the professors I met here took a lot more interest in me,” Allen said.
Allen originally came to Franklin College to be a biology and theatre double major. She decided to switch from biology after taking an English class to meet one of her liberal arts requirements.
“I had thought about being an English major when I was in high school, but I was unsure about it. After taking the English class at Franklin I could see myself majoring in it. I had friends who were English majors, so I talked to them about it, and I met with Dr. Crisafulli my freshman year,” Allen said. “She told me I could easily switch majors if I wanted to, and that there are a lot of people who double major in English and theatre, or at least minor in it. It just went together better, and for me it just made more sense. Sometimes I do wonder about what it would be like if I was still a biology major, but I think it was a good choice to switch,” she said.
When switching majors, Allen saw a drastic change in her course style. Instead of biology labs, she was now participating in literary discussions, plays and much more.
“I feel like I’ve been encouraged to step up a bit and try new things. Because I am an introvert, it is a little difficult. You are always communicating with other people about what you have read. Doing that every day has increased my comfort level with it all. All my classes have been beneficial, but there are some that stand out and have helped me a lot.” — Grace Allen ’26
Some of the most beneficial classes for Allen have been acting classes.
“I think that acting classes have helped me realize that I can do more things,” she said. “I was in the last play: “The Poodle Trainer,” which helped me step out of my comfort zone. I had to just go for it because of the style of the play. I also had to recognize that I could do a three-person play and play a character that is very different from who I am. I think doing those things makes me realize what I am capable of.”
Acting provided Allen with a confidence boost she never expected, but another theatre class on directing led her to be creative, independent and a leader.
“In a directing class you learn how to stage plays, which includes blocking and helping the actors with emotional connection to the characters,” Allen said. “This helps the audience see how the character feels and believe it. We all direct our own 10-minute scene and find actors to be in it. It was exciting because I got to pick the play and the people in it. So, I feel connected to it. All the decisions on blocking and our vision of the play are completely on us. I’ve never directed before, so it’s interesting to be on the other side of it. It does help apply to acting as well, because then you think of how it all comes together. It all connects.”
Above all, Allen finds joy in what she is doing. Upon graduating in 2026, she plans to embark on a career incorporating the variety of skills she has learned and the aspects she appreciates about her courses.
“I think that my experience has been really great, and I’ve had a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s much more enjoyable than high school. It’s nice going to classes that you have an interest in, and that motivates me to do my best every day. I’ve met a lot of great people, and I think it being a small school makes me feel a lot more connected and at home.”