Reisz: Introduction

Leanne Reisz

            My name is Leanne Reisz and I am a freshman at Loyola University New Orleans with a major in Mass Communications. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, I had never visited New Orleans before beginning college here, which forged a tangled mixture of nervousness and excitement. However, after a couple of weeks, I soon adapted to both the city and the school. In high school, I played five sports all four years-- field hockey, basketball, track & field, cross-country, and swimming. I also performed as a lawyer and witness on the Mock Trial team, which is a competition that simulates actual law cases with a prosecution and defense in front of a circuit judge and jury. My passion, however, has always been theater and I hope to pursue it at Loyola in the future. My favorite productions that I participated in were Pygmalion, The Crucible, and Crimes of the Heart. One of the many traditions that our cast adopted before productions was to sing and interpretive dance with Disney’s Mulan song, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” This odd tradition began my freshman year and has continued in the Theater of Louisville Collegiate High School ever since.

            Another one of my favorite hobbies consists of shooting and editing film. Last year, I created a documentary educating people on our city’s local initiative, “Keep Louisville Weird,” and promoting local business. This consisted of interviewing local business owners and consumers around the city. The video was later displayed on the Louisville Independent Business Association’s website. Another project that I truly enjoyed last year was a promotional video for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, in which I interviewed patients about the facts of the disease and its impact on their lives. This project became very special to me as I have immediate family who struggle with the disease. The video acted as a platform for the non-profit organization and a comfort for many patients.

            Overall, I love to always be active in everything.  From theater and mock trial to film and music, I thoroughly enjoy creating new things and examining others’ art forms. I chose Mass Communications for its always changing nature that will keep one on their toes on the job. I also enjoy its focus in film, writing, and people. I am excited to begin analyzing Tim Burton’s work this semester and enjoying his art as a storyteller.