While Rachelle Dart continues to hone her craft as a professional theater artist, she often reflects upon her experiences as a PVCC Theater student. In addition to attending PVCC being a “family affair” (her siblings and parents have attended PVCC), there was another draw for Rachelle and that was the opportunity to study Stage Combat with Andrea Robertson, head of the PVCC Theater Department. Rachelle started pursuing this interest while she was still completing high school. Continuing on at PVCC to complete her Associate of Fine Arts degree was a natural progression and an opportunity to continue working with Andrea. Rachelle fell in love with this theater art form, became a stage combat TA here at PVCC and an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.
Additionally, working in the PVCC theater shop with Eric Reid and Keith Hall afforded her the opportunity to learn about many of the other areas of the industry as well as a myriad of life skills in a safe and supportive environment. Being coached by Karla Frederick for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryans, was an incredible experience where she learned performance techniques she utilizes today.
Rachelle recommends PVCC to others she meets. It provides a wonderful learning environment with dedicated faculty and small classroom sizes. Rachelle characterizes the PVCC Disability Resource Center as amazing and found it very easy to receive the accommodations she needed to be successful. PVCC is supportive for returning students and offers a lot of flexibility for various lifestyles.
Upon graduating from PVCC, Rachelle went to ASU where all of her credits seamlessly transferred. She completed her Bachelor’s of Arts Theater with a Concentration in Acting while working as a theatre artist in the valley and with Southwest Shakespeare Company. Rachelle went on to intern with storyteller Liz Weir at her Ballyeamon Barn in Ireland. Additionally, her time in Ireland afforded her the opportunity to travel and teach stage combat in Lancaster, England. Rachelle is currently completing the teacher training program with Fitzmaurice Voicework® in Los Angeles and looks forward to continuing her work as a theatre artist in Phoenix in the Fall.
Rachelle shares, “The commitment of the PVCC’s faculty and staff to build community is amazing. Everyone is very supportive.” This “dedication to building community” is something Rachelle takes with her as she moves forward in life.