By Brent Frankenhoff

Following the Spirit’s spotlight on how theater experiences have influenced the careers of Seth Barnes, Chandler Benn, and Ben Villnow in its July 2024 issue, we asked other Amherst alumni to reflect on how their time on the Jensen Center stage has helped them in their lives and careers and they were more than happy to share their experiences. In addition to the three alumni in the following article, expect to see stories from additional alumni in upcoming issues.

Jessica Gutschow

Jessica Gutschow (Class of 2018) is a Digital Media Marketing Manager for Marcus Hotels and Resorts on the Grand Geneva and Hilton Madison properties. She told the Spirit that performing has been a life-long passion. “I was always a performer and wanted to be on stage,” she said. “From kindergarten through graduation, I was a member of the Smokey Express Christmas Show. I took every opportunity I could to be on stage.

“My first Tomorrow River High School play was Guys and Dolls when I was in middle school. The directors needed another girl to play one of Adelaide’s back-up dancers, so I auditioned.

“From there, I went on to play a lead role, Rizzo, in Grease when I was a Freshman. This was my favorite role and production during my time in theatre! Rizzo was mean and funny, so it was a really fun role to play, and I got to sing a solo, which was a big accomplishment for me at that age.

“Finally, in my Junior year, we did The Music Man, and I played the mayor’s wife, Mrs. Shinn. This was another mean but funny role and featured extravagant costumes. Changing in and out of costume required an assistant!”

In her current job, Gutschow said she manages the social profiles and digital presence for luxury resorts and hotels under the Marcus Hotel Corporation. “This role allows me to be creative and artistic,” she added. “I am proud of my responsibility, creative autonomy, and the initiative it takes to execute this job on a daily basis. It requires good time management, communication skills, and confidence! I get to perform when I’m leading group meetings!”

She said that her self-confidence was developed by having a theater in Amherst. “Learning to swallow my nerves before a big solo or audition taught me how to do that in a professional setting as an adult,” she added. “Stepping into a big interview, leading my first big meeting, making the decision to pursue teaching yoga, all of these experiences were made easier because of the time I spent on stage doing local theatre.

“It was also a place outside of school and sports where I could connect with my friends. I can’t even count the number of hours I spent in the Center, but during a musical, I would sometimes be there for two to three hours a day, five days a week. I can’t imagine theater not having been a part of my childhood, and I think the Amherst community is extremely lucky to have the Jensen Center.

“Amherst in general is such a music-oriented town. Almost every kid I graduated with was involved in band, choir, or theater. When you go off to college and tell people that the football players in high school would come to theater rehearsal after football practice, they seriously don’t believe you. What we have in Amherst is extremely rare and valuable, and I hope my kids will be interested in joining the local theatre one day.”

Jillian (Cass) Hornick

Jillian (Cass) Hornick (Class of 1997) stayed close to her alma mater and hometown, as she’s been a 4K teacher at the Tomorrow River Schools since 2008. She lives in Custer with her husband, Todd, and daughter, Charley.

Hornick was in numerous theater and dance productions throughout her childhood and teens. These included playing Nellie Forbush, the female lead, in a production of South Pacific when she was a Junior and directing Oliver! when she was a Senior. “I received a theater scholarship from Carroll College for my directorship,” she added.

Her theater experience didn’t end when she graduated from Amherst, as she performed in a number of productions as a college student and went on to serve as theater director for Marathon High School from 2003 to 2006. In the years since, she’s written and performed music with her husband and daughter.

“My experiences at and with the Jensen Center have been an integral part of my development as a performer and teacher,” she said. “We are blessed to have such a resource at our disposal. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue using, benefitting and supporting the performing arts in our community. The Jensen Center makes that possible.”

Kayla Peplinski

Kayla Peplinski (Class of 2018) has also stayed in the area, working as a Marketing Specialist for Baysek Machines in Nelsonville. While she took part in the choir for several Smokey Express Christmas Shows as a young child, she said she later concentrated on working behind the scenes for various children’s and youth musicals or as part of the Director’s Support/Production Crew, helping with program design, photography, and videography. “I have finally taken the step to be visibly seen and heard again as a member of the ensemble for August’s community musical, Grease,” she added.

During her time at the Tomorrow River Schools, Peplinski said she was heavily involved in the music department’s various bands and choirs. She also choreographed color guard routines. “I was also in Forensics (competitive public speaking) all through high school, competing in a variety of categories such as play acting, duo interpretation, and group interpretation at local, state, and national levels,” she added.

Working at Baysek Machines has given Peplinski a chance to “give back to my community by working for such a family-based and welcoming company,” she said. “My theater experience has given me the ability to be open to communicating through multiple ways in varying demographics, connecting with companies and people from all over the world.”

That theater background has also allowed her to “be more adaptable and accommodating,” she said, “as people learn and comprehend differently. Furthermore, from an introvert’s perspective, it’s given me the confidence in expressing myself freely. Having been involved in a plethora of musical performances, I’ve not only been on stage, but behind the stage as well; including the printing process of programs, posters, photography, videography, and sound within the productions. Through all this experience, I have been able to strengthen my leadership capabilities in and outside of my career.”

As with the other alumni, Peplinski said she appreciates what Amherst has been fortunate enough to provide for the community. “This community deserves to showcase their talents in a theater-style atmosphere. As the years pass and the interest increases, it’s hard to accommodate both the performers’ needs and the climbing interest of audience members. I am beyond thankful to all those who molded and shaped my musical talents and skills to be the person I am today. The expansion of the Jensen Center Community Theater is much needed and long overdue. Thank you to those who see the benefits of the 3Stage Expansion.”

As the 3Stage Expansion Project moves forward, this two-year project cannot be completed without community support. Donation forms are available online at jensencenter.org, elsewhere in this issue, and at the Jensen Center.