Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.

Major: Musical Theatre 

Year: Senior 

Advice to new students: If you’re considering Viterbo, here’s my advice: get involved. Say yes to the things that scare you. Join that club, audition for that show, and apply for that campus job. The best parts of my college experience came from moments when I took a leap. 

Favorite On-Campus Food: Strawberry banana smoothie and a cheese pizza bagel from Einstein’s after dance class. Trust me. It’s a game changer. 

Favorite Spot in La Crosse: This changes constantly because I find a lot of great things! As of now, my favorite place to go is Riverside Park right by the Mississippi River. You can have a picnic, bring down Pearl ice cream (best ice cream EVER!), play games, attend art shows and other fun community activities! It is just so therapeutic to sit by the river and take in the world around you. 

Favorite Class at Viterbo: Scene Study with James Stabp! Not only do you get to learn, rehearse, and study a song, but you get to dissect the scenes that come before and after it. This process has really helped me find ways to study characters and find ways that help me connect with them! It also helps you drop into a scene without having the context of the full show to support you, which is SUPER helpful in an audition setting! 

More About Ashlyn

"I came to Viterbo University because I wanted a college experience that felt personal. Out of the ten schools I applied to, Viterbo was the only one where I truly felt seen and heard. From the moment I set foot on campus, I knew I wasn’t just another number. I was entering a university that genuinely cared about who I was and who I wanted to become. 

Performing is where I feel most at home. I’ve always found joy in being creative, and theatre allows me to express myself while connecting deeply with others. I chose to study music theatre with minors in dance and arts administration because I wanted to build a versatile foundation not just for a career in the arts, but for a life filled with passion and purpose. 

Outside of class, I stay very involved. I serve as the Secretary for Student Government Association (SGA), one of two artistic directors for the Student Theatre Project (STP), and I’m a tour guide and social media ambassador with admissions. You might also find me working behind the scenes at the Fine Arts Center or welcoming guests as a House Manager. Viterbo makes it easy to get involved, and those experiences have helped shape every part of who I am. 

What I’ve learned most through theatre and through my time at Viterbo is empathy. When you step into someone else’s shoes on stage, you start to see the world differently off stage, too. I’ve become someone who pays closer attention to the people around me, who values differences, and who leads with compassion. That mindset has made me not just a better performer, but a better human. 

Now, as I prepare for graduation, I can confidently say I know who I am and who I want to be. Viterbo has given me the space to grow, to try new things, and to challenge myself—in the classroom, on stage, and in the community.” 

Interested in Musical Theatre? 

Learn more about Viterbo’s musical theatre program, where rigorous training meets meaningful performance opportunities, preparing you for a vibrant career on stage and beyond.