“The Plan Process is one of the main reasons I chose to attend Bennington College,” recalled Louis Celt ’21 upon being awarded the Nicky Martin Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts. “I knew I wanted to study theater, but I did not want to be limited to just that.”
Celt came to Bennington unsure about how he would complement his drama studies, then he took a course in Environment and Public Action. He learned about environmental activism and how it can influence policy and legislation. When it came time to draft his Plan, Celt included environmental policy into his studies, and it has remained an essential part of his work at Bennington.
During his first year Field Work Term, Celt worked for Theatre Without Borders, a non-profit volunteer organization that connects individuals internationally who are interested in theater. He developed a 20-minute documentary that explored the intersection of the arts and the environment that was presented at a climate change theater conference in New York City.
Celt’s theatrical work at Bennington included a lead role in the 2019 faculty production of Sarah Gancher’s play, The Place We Built. The interactive, multi-media production explored political activism in Hungary in the face of antisemitism and fascism.
“We worked so intimately as an ensemble cast,” said Celt. “We did lots of physical explorations and improvisations. It was just an invigorating and exciting experience.”
Celt looks on his work for this production as one of his favorite projects at Bennington. He also cites the willingness and excitement of other students to collaborate on work independent of classes as an inspiration. He has worked on multiple projects, and it has given him a holistic, yet personal, education that he would not have received through a strict major/minor program.
“I deeply appreciate the investment in my education and my future made through this scholarship,” said Celt. “Higher education is incredibly expensive and this support has a big impact on my ability to afford to attend Bennington College. I will continue to make work and strive to make the most of this amazing opportunity.”
