Faculty of the Week: Liz Calandra

By JACK CASSIDY, JOHANNA HILLMAN, MAGGIE KOTKOWSKI, and HENRY WISE

Under the glittering stage lights of the Goel Center for Theater and Dance, students stand, singing, acting, or dancing their hearts out. They give it their all in each performance while the students and teachers of Exeter watch and marvel at the skill and talent the students have developed during their time at Exeter. And in every performance is someone behind the scenes who is in the lead, making sure every piece of the show falls into place., whether it be sound tech, light tech, or directing, this person brings it all together and makes the show happen. They help students prepare and perform for each show they do, and help them excel in the process. Who is this multifaceted person? None other than the Theater and Dance Department’s very own Teaching Intern Elizabeth Calandra.

Calandra has been passionate about theater for most of her life, wanting to pursue a path that allows her to do what she loves. “My love for theater and dance really comes from my grandma,” said Calandra. “She’s the one who forced me to start singing. Then I started dancing. And I just never stopped doing it.”

“When I came here to visit, I knew that this is where I wanted to go after college,” she  shared about finding Exeter. “I was open to teaching because I had worked at a Children’s Theater in college. After meeting some of the theater students and faculty and seeing the facilities, it just felt like a good fit.”

Despite having only been at Exeter for two years, Calandra has made quite the impact — whether directing shows or simply being the person who smiles at you on the paths.

Around campus, Calandra is widely known to be an energetic, deeply caring person, a sentiment reflected by those around her. “She is so dedicated to theater, and you can see every day just how much she cares about her students,” said lower Teddy Hosmer.

“She always brings an infectious energy with her to rehearsal. She’s always upbeat and you can see how it just raises the energy level in the room,” added upper Asha Masoudi. “She’s energetic, vibrant, and fun.”

Others shared similar sentiments. “She’s just so bubbly and she’s always saying really funny stuff,” said senior Anna Rissi. “In rehearsal, she always relates everything to the real world. Even scenes that can be more sensitive or emotional, she’s always able to make it fun,” Rissi noted. “She’s a great director — she’s able to create an environment that’s so welcoming, and it’s so fun to watch her enact her creative vision. She puts so much care and thought into the way everything is done.

When questioned about a great memory with Calandra, lower Simon Taylor said, “My favorite thing about her is how upbeat she is all the time. No matter what we are doing or what she is doing she always comes to rehearsal every day with a positive attitude.”

It’s clear that Exonians’ perception of Calandra is someone that is bubbly, kind, and caring, and Exeter’s faculty reflected similar sentiments. “She’s a positive light. She’s always got great energy,” added the Chair of the Theater and Dance Department Lauren Josef. “In her short time here, she’s made such a difference in students’ lives across campus. She’s somebody who makes it very clear that she will be behind you no matter what. It’s a real gift to have an adult like that on this campus.”

Calandra’s care she puts into every part of her Exeter life is what makes her one of the most supportive and kind teachers on Exeter’s campus.

Theater is not the only place to which Calandra brings her welcoming energy and kindness — she’s also dorm faculty in Soule Hall. “One of my favorite things to do is just hanging out in the common room when I’m on duty. I watch a lot of football and sports with the students in Soule and I feel like those are some of the most pure moments I’ve had on campus,” she explained.

“She’s awesome,” said prep Alex Luo, one of Calandra’s advisees. “You can tell she really cares about her job. In advisory, it feels like she’s really listening to what we’re saying and taking mental notes,” Luo said. “She’s doing whatever she can to help us.”

Another Soule resident, lower Logan Liu, similarly shared, “She is always happy and ready to give you advice.”

Additionally, in the past Calandra has helped to plan Exeter’s Martin Luther King Day. “When I came to Exeter, I knew that MLK Day was something I wanted to be a part of,” said Calandra. “Exeter allows me to be a part of, like, 700 things. I think that’s really great.”

Whether on the stage of Goel, in Soule Hall’s common room, or just walking outside with her two dogs, Peter and Tinkerbell, Calandra brings an unprecedented warmth to Exeter’s campus. 

“If I could say anything to her right now, I’d say keep being you—that’s it,” said Luo with a smile.

Sean Ricard / The Exonian