The traveling experience that sticks out in my mind the most, that has had the greatest impact upon me as an artist, was visiting Pompeii. Amongst the ruins of Pompeii is their beautiful theatre. I must say, it is chilling and to remember that the reason it has been so well preserved is due to the powerful eruption of Mount Vesuvius so long ago. Nevertheless, being in the presence of such an old theatre made me stop. I sat there in the theatre space, in awe of the moment. I am in a space where people were “acting,” making skits, creating characters, and living in a theatre so long ago. It inspired me in a deep, yet simple way. It reminded me of the importance of my passion for theatre. There is so much historical significance within theatre and I am
a part of the legacy of theatre participants, not unlike those who were stage performers in the amphitheater of Pompeii. I felt like I have a responsibility to continue the tradition of live theatre and to never give up on my personal theatrical goals and aspirations.

– Olivia Stevenson

I usually try to travel outside of Arezzo every other weekend. So far, I’ve seen Cortona, Cinque Terre, and Rome. All three of these places have offered magnificent sights, food, and attractions. While much of Italy is generally as modern as the United States with regard to culture, I have noticed specific areas that reflect less material values and a more natural way of life. However, the more natural marvels that can be found in Italy, such as the views, seem to be secondary in many circles, not only in Italy, but in America as well. Similarly, commedia is a form of theatre that is generally resigned to less modern and more obscured areas of Italy’s theatre scene in favor of more commercial styles. Because commedia involves such a broad and all-encompassing style of acting, it can teach more about the art and is generous in the ground that it covers. In both cases, being in Italy has taught me that the older and simpler facets of culture can be very telling of how the more intricate culture came to be.

– David Yurch

Weekdays we are kept busy in our little artist’s haven on top of the hill, so we hardly have any time to even walk down the hill into the town of Arezzo. But weekends we are free to travel. Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to Amalfi Coast and see Naples, Vesuvius, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri. It was really a time-warp to walk through Pompeii, seeing rows of houses as they would have been pre 79 AD. They are still standing pretty well, though without roofs. You can still see where their shrines to their gods would have been and where they would have made a fire. I got to the see the first theatre there too- that was really something. I had been traveling with four other girls, and we all split up at that point to take in the theatre by ourselves. Seeing that first theatre reminded me: this is important, art is important. Not only did this ancient civilization deem it important enough to begin a theatre, but someone else deemed it important enough to preserve it, and, based on the number of people walking through it oooing and aweing, even more people see it worthy to experience for themselves.

– Alex Rust

Taking trips on weekends has taught me so much about Italian culture and made me appreciate Italy so much more than I ever could have dreamed I would. So far I have been to Milan, Cortona, Cinque Terre, Rome and Florence and each one has affected me differently and given me a new insight into the culture. There is so much history in Italy, which I have really come to love and appreciate, and the culture is rich and beautiful. I am eager to immerse myself in the culture by traveling to as many places as possible in Italy before I leave and by learning as much Italian as possible!

– Kristen Sehn