Summer theater program was a pathway for this student-participant turned teacher

Lake Rusch’s passion for acting was ignited in seventh grade when they first joined George Mason University’s Acting for Young People (AFYP) showcase program. They continued to attend the program throughout high school. 

“I was acting with the program for so long and I really loved the environment. AFYP nourished my love for performance so deeply,” Rusch said of their time at the Mason Community Arts Academy Program (MCAA), an organization within the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) that offers multiple programs and camps to provide children with arts education. 

“When I was selecting colleges to apply to, George Mason was in my top three,” said Rusch, now a rising sophomore at George Mason majoring in  theater education with a theater performance minor. They also had a connection to George Mason through their mother, Emily Rusch, who is a development associate in CVPA. 

In 2019, Rusch became an intern at the camp, and in 2022, they became an assistant teacher for the camp’s participants. 

“I’ve had so many different theater education experiences in my life, and after I started working with AFYP, it just clicked that I should go into theater education,” said Rusch. 

AFYP offers three kinds of programming—summer camp, showcase programs, and an afterschool program. The programs teach grade school students ages 7-18 about the world of theater and allow participants to experience performing on stage during their spring and fall showcases. 

Having a long history with the program means Rusch has seen it evolve over the years, and has the joy of seeing students grow in the program from the youngest to oldest stages.  

“The one thing that I've seen change the most is that we are able to rent bigger spaces every year for our showcases,” said Rusch, who will teach part time in the afterschool program this fall. 

“Theater education is special because we’re teaching them growth. I want them to learn new skills and help them [take those skills] wherever they want to,” said Rusch. 

Rusch is also close with their boss, AFYP founder and artistic director Mary Lechter, who wrote one of Rusch’s letters of recommendation for George Mason.  

Lechter was also present during their auditions for the School of Theater.  

“It was a combination of factors that made me choose George Mason, but Mary was one of the biggest influences for me. I really liked the school and knowing that I had a paying job in college where I’d be working with Mary was great,” said Rusch. 

As AFYP’s artistic director, Lechter says she is able to work with young actors over the course of several years and watch them grow as people and actors.  

“I have had the privilege of seeing Lake come into their own over these past few years, expressing confidence in their voice and ideas,” said Lechter.  

Lechter said she looks forward to working alongside Rusch for many years to come.  “In addition to Lake being a great person all around, they are a wonderful actor to work with— intuitive, receptive, bold. I can still see each of their performances vividly.” 

Rusch’s position as a teacher and administrative intern allows them to guide students the way Lechter and other George Mason faculty guided them.   

“There is an element of commitment and accountability that I learned just inherently by being present at the camp that I definitely uphold now, and hope to continue to uphold. That's something that’s going to be really great for teaching later,” they said.