Myste Shryack

Myste Shryack rarely gets nervous before a show. Standing under the bright lights on an open stage in front of an expectant audience may give weak knees and fluttering stomachs to some, but Myste says that is the place she’s most comfortable.

“You get to be somebody else,” Myste said about being on stage. “You can just drop the old you off at the door and walk in. I’m shaking in my boots before auditions, but, when I’m in front of an audience, I know everything about my character. I’ve prepared, and I’m ready. I get pretty involved in my characters.”

Myste had three years of theatre in high school, but she had been away from the stage for a while when she auditioned for the first time at Hastings College.

“I auditioned my sophomore year here and remembered how much I love theatre. I think I’ve found my calling for a little while at least.”

The junior from Worland, Wyoming, who talks jokingly of one day starring in an adrenaline-filled action movie, has acted in or worked behind the scenes on seven Hastings College productions so far. A National Merit finalist, the Art/Theatre Arts Education major chose HC for its tight-knit community feel.

“Other colleges I visited had giant classes, when I came here I could make friendships with my classmates. We all know each other. It’s like being back home.”