2 0 • GCU TODAY
Flatz sisters have
doubled their impact on
performing arts program
Twingenuity
T
wins Claire and Joy Flatz are identical in appearance, but
their interests, personalities and individual contributions to
Grand Canyon University’s theatre program are distinctive.
The 22-year-old senior theatre majors burst onto the
College of Fine Arts and Production scene by playing the lead
roles in the “The Boy Friend” as freshmen and performing in 23 combined
productions, often as leading ladies. Their costumes might as well hang
from the ceiling of GCU’s Ethington Theatre, like retired jerseys in a sports
arena, to commemorate their dazzling performances over four years.
Notably, Joy played Cinderella in “Into the Woods,” the daughter of
Capulet in “Romeo and Juliet” and Irene Adler in “Sherlock Holmes.”
Claire played the baker’s wife in “Into the Woods” and the lead female
role, Belle, in “A Christmas Carol.”
The freedom to perform as freshmen allowed them to find their
individual strengths in film and theatre.
“There is inherently a safety net that comes with performing at
college and failing, which has allowed us to grow,” Joy said.
Said Claire, “Being able to perform as freshmen helped us gain
confidence to pursue opportunities outside campus.”
Their impressive resumés extend beyond Ethington.
Claire, who performed in fewer GCU productions to seek professional
theatre roles, was cast in Phoenix Theatre’s “Mary Poppins” in 2014 and
this year’s “Anything Goes” and was the lead in “Footloose” at Christian
Community and Youth Theater in Portland, Ore. Joy pursued television,
which allowed her to perform more at GCU because it doesn’t take up as
much time. She appeared in the pilot of NBC’s drama “Grimm,” acted in
a national PetSmart commercial and played the lead in the Biblical Web
series “Leviathan.”
Theatre major Joshua Vanderpoel might know the twins better than
anyone in Ethington. The 21-year-old senior has performed in 11 theatre
productions, including 10 with the Flatzes, and said their work ethic
inspires COFAP students.
“Separately, they have done almost more than the entire program
combined in terms of performing at Ethington and on a national stage,
but when you put them together, they leave everyone else in the dust,”
Vanderpoel said.
“They’ve definitely set a standard for the professionalism of the
program, and I think that will linger for a while because of what they
have imparted on other actors.”
Students in the spotlight
Student performers like the Flatzes have helped elevate GCU’s profile
among collegiate theatres in Arizona. Claude Pensis, dean of COFAP,
assistant dean Bill Symington and theatre instructor Michael Kary
deserve the most credit, but students have paved the way.
Unlike many universities, which often cast graduate students in
lead roles, GCU underclassmen receive the opportunity in their first
year. Casting newcomers has been inevitable for a program that was
reinstated just five years ago after a four-year closure.
Pensis designed the program to prepare students for professional
work as upperclassmen. With faculty guidance, students also have
created additional opportunities for Ethington’s growing talent pool,
such as a student improvisational comedy team and the Canyon Night
Live sketch-comedy show. Other students have helped GCU’s Second
B Y C O O P E R N E L S O N
Graduating seniors Joy (left) and Claire Flatz learned to be confident,
strong performers during their four years in the College of Fine Arts
and Production.
photo by darryl webb
