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"Each person who comes through the Masque makes their own mark. It is the people who have formed and given the Masque its personality, and kept me coming back year after year, show after show."
- Allison Sandberg, 18 (Masque student)
"I think it was the Masque's high expectations that kept me involved; the work ethic and responsibility that the Masque helped instill in me was a refreshing contrast to the high school world, where assignments were 'too hard' and we felt that the world owed us one more day to study for that test or write that paper. In high school, where teachers would almost sound apologetic in their teaching, as though students were doing them a favor by working, to excel was optional. Excellence is expected in the Masque. No matter how well I did one day in rehearsal, I knew that the next day I would be expected to do even better.- James Tanabe, 18 (Masque student)
"I originally signed up for the Shakespeare class to help me with Speech team, but the class soon became more than just an aid to speech team. I would come home from the class feeling like I could accomplish anything I wanted. That inspiration and the amazing people involved with the Masque captured my heart. I couldn't stay away even if I wanted to. . . . Because of Sylvia I will always be involved with theatre in some way."- Brooke Donell Kreitinger, age 18 (Masque student)
"I had never really been exposed to theatre before the Masque and I immediately fell in love with it. The experiences that I had in the Masque enabled me to have some knowledge about theatre before going to college. Because of the Masque I am a theatre major at U.W. Steven's Point."- John Barsness, 19 (Masque student)
"Expression - of ideas, hopes, fears . . . even peaceful venting of anger and frustration . . . are vitally important at any age. But where adults can often seek out established venues for expression (sports, etc.) or just the company of other adults, children depend more strongly on the environments we provide for them. (And I'm not talking just play. Play environments are usually competitive and the stronger, more active children thrive while shyer, quieter kids get left out.) Theatres also teach important skills like teamwork, concentration, focus and long-term thinking. It helps show that there are times to speak and times to listen and times of silence. Theatre teaches the young how to shape and control their own environment. But most of all, it fosters imagination, which is vital to us in our growth into healthy, happy adults."- Bart Brubaker, 26 (Masque student)
". . . what a joy to work with your students. Not only are they incredibly respectful and disciplined, but there is a genuine will to learn. They worked very hard (some even during the break) and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the workshop. Because of the enthusiasm in the group, we were able to go much farther than I had anticipated. This is an incredible reflection of your work in Rochester and the high quality of students you have developed. It has been a joy. . . call me ANYTIME to do a workshop."- Luverne Seifert
(Artistic Associate of Theatre de la Jeune Lune in Minneapolis, MN)
after teaching a workshop at the Masque
"An amazing amount of poise and self-confidence has been gained by both [of my] children that will serve them greatly throughout their lives. They are not intimidated to speak up when they have an idea, an insight, an objection, or see injustice - I think that confidence has been fostered by the Masque."- Sue Waughtal, parent