At times, the responsibilities of a college student seem overwhelming. Core requirements, extracurricular activities, jobs and endless papers accumulate, and an escape from these stresses seems impossible.
Imagine having your daily planner include all of these activities, plus cheerleading practice twice a week for the Rams professional football team, appearing regularly on a show for Fox Sports Network, attending sorority meetings and directing a one-act play. For an average student, accomplishing all these tasks would be impossible. For senior Amy Pennell, however, that’s just the way it is.
Originally from Granite City, Ill., Pennell came to Saint Louis University four years ago for one reason: She wanted to attend a college close to home.
After arriving at SLU, Pennell wasted little time and began pursuing her dream of becoming an actress. Auditioning for a musical her freshman year, Pennell received the lead character in the play, a pattern of success that has continued. Throughout the course of her four years, she has played a variety of roles, including her most challenging one–an African-American girl.
In order to be a strong and convincing character, Pennell immersed herself in the African-American culture and studied the dialect. Such preparation involved a substantial amount of time and effort, but she accepted the challenge with open arms. “For me, the most important thing is for someone to believe me in a role,” Pennell said.
A talent for theater runs in the Pennell’s blood. Her father was a director and her mother was a choreographer. Ever since she can remember, Pennell recalls putting on plays in the family living room and hoping one day to become a famous actress. “I grew up in theater … both my parents are involved in the theater … I just wanted to be like them,” she said.
Talent in the Pennell family is not limited to the stage. Her older sister, Melissa, was captain of the Rams cheerleading squad for six years. Today, Amy serves as one of the five line captains who perform during the games, work on publicity and sign autographs.
On Friday nights at 7 p.m. on Fox Sports Net, Pennell can be seen opening and “teasing” the popular sports-lovers’ series, “St. Louis Sports.” Celebrities such as Nelly and the St. Lunatics and Darius Miles have appeared on the show. Because of Pennell’s influence, several SLU athletes have been featured and interviewed on this St. Louis Emmy-nominated show.
Aside from weekly appearances on “St. Louis Sports,” Pennell has been a guest on “The Best Damn Sports Show,” and “The Jenny Jones Show.”
Pennell’s star-status did not come easily. Many of her friends and family members cautioned her about entering the entertainment industry, but she persevered. Today she advises others to “Follow your dreams. In the entertainment business, you can really get discouraged because it is so hard to make it….You must have heart.”
Single men will be reassured to know that, despite her high profile status, Pennell is currently without a boyfriend. She is currently concentrating on her job because “career comes first.”
Pennell is unsure of what her future might bring. One thing is for certain: She would like to seek out some sort of profession in theater. Next semester she gets her chance to explore theatrical possibilities beyond acting, directing the one act play, “Laundry and Bourbon.”
Her list of accomplishments is incredible, her resume impressive. Her talent is far beyond that of a typical 21-year-old. But Pennell’s greatest attribute is her personality–friendly, humble and determined.
SLU is likely to gain someday one more thespian alum, as is evident when Pennell declares, “I would live off crackers and water if I could act.”
