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Abby
Gerdts to study acting at Juilliard
Every
year, aspiring musicians, actors and dancers take a chance at
materializing their dreams in the Big Apple. They spend long hours
training just for a shot to land an audition at one of the
nation’s premier schools for the performing arts—The Juilliard
School. And from the approximately 1,000 applicants, only select
few make the cut.
One of the newest members of Juilliard’s incoming freshman class
is Abby Gerdts, the daughter of Tom and Karen Gerdts of Lincoln.
Abby was one of only 20 students accepted into Juilliard’s drama
program for the fall of 2000. And not only was she accepted to
Juilliard, she also received a scholarship to help pay for her
education.
Abby’s
involvement in drama began at an early age, when she landed a role
in the “Sound of Music” with Lincoln Community Theater. While
attending Lincoln Community High School, she took every
opportunity to get involved—drama productions, one-act plays,
group interpretation and speech. “I think acting is so
interesting,” she explains. “There’s something I find
intriguing about learning to portray someone else.”
During
her sophomore year, Abby met Tom Quinn, who helped out with the
productions and speech at the high school. He played an important
role, she says, coaching and encouraging her to pursue her dream
of acting. “He is an excellent actor. He has taught me
everything I know thus far,” she says.
When
Abby decided to pursue acting following high school, she applied
at Juilliard because of its excellent reputation and renowned
faculty. She went to the Palmer House in Chicago for her audition,
where she performed two monologues for three Juilliard
instructors. She then
waited several hours before learning that she had been chosen for
the next interview stage. During the second interview, she
responded to questions about her goals and commitment to her
dream, performed a third monologue, and read scripts. After
completing the second interview she headed home—to wait.
The
call came during the afternoon, while Abby was—not
surprising—rehearsing for a school play. Her mom broke the news
when she arrived home later that evening. “I was ecstatic,”
she says. “I never let myself think I would actually get in.”
But
she did, and not only is Abby excited, so are her parents. “We
are just thrilled,” says her mother. “It’s a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Mrs. Gerdts adds that Abby’s
determination is key. “She is a go-getter,” she says.
Abby
will head to New York in the fall to begin her studies with some
of the best in the business. She will be working toward a bachelor
of fine arts, and receive training not only in acting, but also in
voice, instrument and movement. And, although she admits she is a
bit nervous about the move, she looks forward to her education at
Juilliard. “I’m a country girl. I’ve never lived in any
bigger place than Lincoln,” she explains. “But I’m very
excited…I want to act.”
[Katherine
Heller]
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