The Collinsworth School of Performing Arts at California Baptist University fosters an environment for students to grow in their artistic endeavors, whether in commercial music, theater arts, or other programs.
We spotlight Alexandra Kuebler, a sophomore theater major with a concentration in musical theater. Kuebler, who saw her first play at age four and began acting at six, has always known that theater was her calling.
“I moved around a lot as a kid and so [theater] was the one thing I could always plug back into and it’s something the Lord has always put on my heart — I’ve never even thought about doing anything else,” said Kuebler.
With years of experience performing, Kuebler emphasizes the importance of connecting with the audience. “When you go on stage, you’re just naturally creating a bond between the people you’re having this experience with,” she said. “It’s really just this cool collaborative gift that you’re giving to yourself, to one another, and to the audience.”
Kuebler plays Cecily in CBU’s production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. She embraces the character’s whimsical traits while noting that Cecily is not to be underestimated. “Cecily is running the show a bit more than she lets on,” Kuebler said.
Kuebler admits she sees herself in Cecily, particularly in her cleverness. “She’s plotting throughout, in the back of her mind through the whole thing and I have a tendency, as well, to do that — but take that with a grain of salt,” Kuebler said.
In addition to “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Kuebler has performed in “Frankenstein” and “Murder on the Orient Express” at the Wallace Theatre. Despite being only in her second year at CBU, Kuebler appreciates the mentorship from SOPA professors and credits them with helping her navigate the program.
“Well, it’s funny because Dr. Bolin [Dean of Collinsworth School of Performing Arts] — we quote him a lot and he just goes, ‘What an opportunity!’ and he’s so right,” said Kuebler. “The School of Performing Arts has this natural ability to give its students as many opportunities as they find possible,” Kuebler explains.
Kuebler also stresses the importance of trust in theater. “If you’re looking to pursue theatre, you can’t do it unless you trust your director and your cast — it’s automatically going to feel less authentic,” she said.
Ethan Park, adjunct professor for the theater division of SOPA, has seen Kuebler’s dedication firsthand. “That was one of the things I discovered working with her in [Murder on the Orient Express], not just her talent — which is lovely — but her ability to listen and take direction and understand the vision that the team, or the director, is going for and apply it to her character,” Park said.
Beyond her talent, Kuebler’s kindness shines through “She is a source of light and life in the room, whether that’s as an actor or as a person. She brings kindness into the space that she enters and she brings focus to those around her,” Park said.
As “The Importance of Being Earnest closes”, Park will direct “Sunday in the Park with George” in November. While Kuebler will not be on stage for this production, she will work behind the scenes, applying her technical skills and encouraging students to support SOPA’s next project.
