COLLEGIATE THEATRICS: Belmont University's Alie B. Gorrie

Oftentimes, in any college town - especially one filled with schools with impressive theater programs - there are talented students who come and go, never making much of an impact on the local scene, keeping their onstage theatrics confined to campus offerings. Not so with Belmont University senior Alie B. Gorrie.

Sure, Alie B. Gorrie has had some terrific roles at Belmont: Ado Annie in Oklahoma! and this semester's Mayor Matilda in All Shook Up. That's to be expected...Belmont University Musical Theatre is known across the globe for providing students with a strong academic background that provides them with a leg up once they enter the ultra-competitive world of the theater.

But Alie's most talked about role in Nashville, one which won her BWW Nashville Awards for best leading actress in a musical and best younger actress, was the title role in Street Theatre Company's lauded production of Carrie, the Musical.

Her role in Carrie was a much sought-after prize among younger actresses in the region and Alie won the prized role and made it her own, showing off her musical attributes and endearing herself to her castmates and crewmembers. Here's your chance to get to know her for yourself, in this week's edition of Collegiate Theatrics!

How's your Belmont theater career going? Has it lived up to its advance hype? Studying musical theatre at Belmont has definitely lived up to expectations. I have gotten to perform both at school and in Nashville, which is something I am very grateful for. I transferred to Belmont as a sophomore, and began in the ensemble, working my way up to featured roles and leads senior year, which has been so exciting and rewarding!

What's your favorite part of studying at Belmont? I love how small our program is in comparison to other schools. My senior class only has eleven MT students, which allows us time to work one on one with faculty, time to ask questions, and more time to perform new material in class. I also am thankful for Belmont's Christian influence on our program. It's encouraging to be surrounded by a community of artists who share a similar faith...I think it cultivates a more supportive, connected bond in our program.

Have your future plans changed since coming to Belmont? Since coming to Belmont, I have known I want to perform professionally, and those plans have not changed at all. Belmont has given me the training, hunger, and passion to take more risks as an artist. It's exciting being in my final semester, because I get to use my training at all sorts of auditions...from summer stock companies to cruise ships to New York and Chicago professional auditions. I cannot wait to see what he future brings!

What collegiate theatrical moment looms largest in your mind? Last semester was like musical theatre Christmas almost every day. I spent the fall days in rehearsals for Oklahoma at Belmont, and I spent nights at Street Theatre working on Carrie. I had the best time going from Ado Annie-mode to Carrie White-mode each day. I got to explore all sides of myself as an actor and singer, and I felt so filled all the time!

What advice would you offer to high school students considering making the plunge? TAKE THE PLUNGE! TAKE IT NOW! I spent a semester at another school freshman year because my type-A self thought I needed to be more practical. I later realized I could not function without musical theatre in my life. I wish I had followed my heart as a freshman instead of my over-rational side! And if you are reading this and are in the transfer boat I was in, take the plunge! I am so thankful I am at Belmont, and I have never looked back!

To post a comment, you must register and login.