Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 32

She said her work with theater faculty
and staff members equipped her with
adaptability, a strong work ethic, confidence
and the ability to speak in front of large
groups of people.
"I recently had my first paid acting job
in 11 years, and it reminded me that those
skills, born from the broad application of
being able to perform on stage, apply to not
only the arts, but also to the business world,"
she said.

Aaron Sohaski, '10
Compliance Specialist,
Henry Ford Health Systems

Megan Phelps,
Favorite GVSU
Production:
"The Rocky
Horror Picture
Show" (2007)

Megan Phelps, '07
Major Events Director,
The Rainbow Connection

In her role at The Rainbow Connection,
Megan Phelps said she works in "the
business of happy." The nonprofit
organization, based in Rochester, makes
dreams come true for children with lifethreatening illnesses.
After graduating in 2007 with degrees
in both theater and hospitality and tourism
management, Phelps' career path began as
an apprentice at The Purple Rose Theatre
Company in Chelsea, founded in 1991 by
acclaimed actor and Chelsea native Jeff
Daniels. Following a year in that role, she
was offered a position in the company's
development office, which taught her about
grant writing, board development and
donor relations.
"That position made me realize that
fundraising for an organization that does
good work was the career path I wanted to
take," she recalled.
Phelps said she consistently uses
the lessons she learned while performing
at Grand Valley when developing
major fundraising events for The
Rainbow Connection.
"Every event that I plan is very much
like putting together a stage production
because I collaborate with other
professionals for months to plan an evening
of entertainment," she explained. "I've
also had to rely on my improvisation and
spontaneous problem-solving skills because,

" I've ... had to rely on my
improvisation and spontaneous
problem-solving skills because,
as anyone in theater will tell
you, it doesn't matter if the
lights won't turn on, the sound
doesn't work, an actor is sick
or a cue is missed - the show
must go on."
MEGAN PHELPS, '07

as anyone in theater will tell you, it doesn't
matter if the lights won't turn on, the sound
doesn't work, an actor is sick or a cue is
missed - the show must go on."
Phelps also credits her current
professional successes to her exposure to
many cultures as an undergraduate student.
"Those past experiences have allowed
me to better connect with the families we
serve, donors we cultivate and volunteers
we recruit. I am able to more readily place
myself in their shoes, which helps me
anticipate their needs and serve them
better," she said.
Theater skills aren't all that Phelps
gained while at Grand Valley - she also
gained a husband, whom she met through
the theater program. She said they adore
putting their theater knowledge to good
use playing "make believe" with their
1-year-old son, Jack.

Aaron Sohaski said that Libman gave him
a piece of sage advice while at Grand Valley
that he still applies to his life.
"Karen told me, 'If your characters
come close to each other, it is a kiss or kill
moment.' That means you should only have
your actors move if there is a legitimate
purpose," he recalled. "It is silly to have them
moving just for movement's sake. In real life,
we do not move unless we have a purpose."
A purposeful move for Sohaski was
attending law school.
"I have always been fascinated by the rule
of law and how law shapes our society," he
said. "To attend law school, your background
could be in any discipline, and I was
passionate about theater. I knew my theater
background would only further my oral
communication skills."
In his current role, Sohaski examines a
variety of contracts, from government to
private, to ensure that Henry Ford Health
Systems remains compliant with various
rules and regulations. He said that his
previous experiences collaborating with
diverse groups of people in theater continue
to help him today.
"I sit down with teams of people, whether
they are hospital administrators, doctors or
attorneys, to look at potential hurdles and
opportunities for the health system," he
explained. "We collaborate as a team, much
like actors do night after night, to solve our
problems. Having many stakeholders at
various levels of understanding, it is my job
to communicate concisely and consistently
so everyone is on the same page, much like
delivering lines from a script or monologue."
Aaron Sohaski,
Favorite GVSU
Production:
"Lady from the
Sea" (2009)

"We collaborate as a
team, much like actors
do night after night, to
solve our problems."
AARON SOHASKI, '10

G R A ND VA LLE Y M AG AZ INE

32

SPR ING 201 7



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017

West Side story
Knowledge for all
Hopes and dreams for a better future
Fund honors son's memory
Athletics
Q&A
Off the Path
Research
Arts
Campus News Briefs
Alumni Giving
Alumni Profile
Alumni News Briefs
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 1
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 2
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 3
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - West Side story
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 5
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 6
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 7
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Knowledge for all
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 9
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 10
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 11
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 12
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Hopes and dreams for a better future
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 14
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 15
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Fund honors son's memory
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 17
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 18
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 19
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 20
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 21
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Athletics
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 23
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Q&A
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 25
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Off the Path
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 27
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Research
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 29
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Arts
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 31
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 32
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Campus News Briefs
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 34
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 35
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 36
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 37
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Alumni Giving
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 39
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Alumni Profile
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 41
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Alumni News Briefs
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 43
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 44
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 45
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 46
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 47
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 48
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