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By Savanna Yelling ’25

When Theater major Lena Whiteside arrived ������Ƶ this fall, she didn’t expect to land the lead role in a feature film being shot, in part, right on campus.

“I heard about the chance to audition for the film from the chair of the Theatre Department, Christie Maturo,” Whiteside said. “She knows that I'm always looking for something to do, I love to stay busy.”

The film, titled, “The Role,” is directed and produced by fellow Blue Devil, Austin Beaulieu ’25, through Beaulieu's production company, . Whiteside portrays a character named Sam. The film is due out this spring.

Filming on campus has given Whiteside a unique introduction to college life full of memorable moments.

“It’s honestly been pretty fun,” Whiteside says. “I felt like an oddball at first because I was one of the youngest people on set. But the cast and crew took me under their wings so quickly. They made me feel comfortable right away.”

Though this is her first major film role, Whiteside is no stranger to performing.

“I grew up performing ballet. I’ve been doing it for almost 15 years,” she said. “At the very least, I performed “The Nutcracker” annually, but I did some other ballets before moving to Connecticut.”

After moving to Connecticut in 2017, she continued ballet and eventually got into theatre, taking acting and vocal lessons about three years later. 

Her favorite recent performance was in an original musical, “Game On!” performed right in New Britain.

"That was a blast,” Whiteside said.

Interest in performance, and the encouragement to do it, was passed down from her parents. Her parents’ motivation, she said, helped shape her confidence and creativity.

“My mom is a singer, and my dad is a drummer,” Whiteside said. “Because I was always surrounded by music, it heavily influenced what I wanted to be growing up. It never felt like there was anything else for me.”

Lena’s mother, a singer, is also a student ������Ƶ, who is studying Actuarial Math and is expected to graduate in the spring.

“It's awesome,” she said. “I love having a familiar face on campus, and we get to meet up sometimes and just hangout for a minute. I love it.”

Her mother’s involvement on campus, including taking an improv class, has helped Whiteside build her own connections.

“It's a win-win all around,” she said.

After Central, Whiteside has her eyes set on major dream roles. Eliza or Aaron Burr in “Hamilton,” the Witch in “Into the Woods,” or one of the Alisons in “Fun Home,” her favorite musical.

“This is what I want to do with my life,” Whiteside said. “There's nothing else that I would rather do. I think I'd be mad at myself for the rest of my life if I didn't pursue some form of performing arts. When I do theatre, dance, or act or any of it, I'm at my happiest, truly. I want to enjoy my job forever, and this is one way to get there for me.”