Student Profile: Kelly Sina ’08

Kelly Sina is a musical theatre major whose time at Hope has been seasoned by her unique experience in the arts. Both of her parents act professionally, as does her older sister, so for her the stage has been a natural, inviting home. She did her first professional show when she was nine, and was cast in main stage shows at Hope as soon as she began her freshman year.

Hope jumped out at Kelly, from a long list of possible schools, because of the way the college embraces the arts. “I really liked how Hope is nationally accredited in theatre, music, and dance,” she says. Her major is a composite of music, theatre, and dance, all departments with active performance schedules. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it,” she says.

During the summer of 2006, Kelly worked with Hope Summer Repertory Theatre as an acting intern and had the opportunity not just to act but to work in every area of theatre. From hanging lights to sewing costumes to building the set, Kelly and the other interns participated in it all. “It was so intense,” she says. Working with HSRT was Kelly’s first repertory experience.

Kelly is also in the Sigma Sigma sorority, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary in the fall of 2005. She rushed her freshman year and became part of the new member class of spring 2005. “I just felt really comfortable with them, and I met some amazing people, not just in my sorority, but in others, too. I probably wouldn’t ever have met them otherwise.”

Being a part of three different departments, Kelly is always busy. “I try to do as much as I can.” And Kelly does it all—she acts onstage, she has designed and assistant designed for workshops and main stage performances, and she works for the department of theatre in the costume shop. She was the lead in fall 2006’s Wonderful Town, playing Irene, a budding singer and dancer moving with her sister to New York City from Ohio. The musical drew sold-out audiences every night.

Her professors have always encouraged her in her classes and in her acting, and she appreciates the understanding and knowledge her professors have. “ They’re really intelligent in their fields, both professionally and academically,” she says.

Kelly is spending the fall of 2007 participating in the New York Arts Semester. She’s looking forward to complementing the opportunities she’s had on campus with experience in New York City, including going to auditions and making professional contacts.

This profile was written by Megan E. Dougherty, a 2007 Hope College graduate from Normal, Ill., for the 2007-08 Hope College Catalog.

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