Stretching Beyond the Spotlight

For Delaney Murphy ’28, theatre has always been about more than stepping into the spotlight. From her perspective, it’s also about creating a space where young people can discover confidence, find their voices and grow into themselves.

That realization came during her senior year of high school in St. Louis, when she directed a mainstage production for a local youth theatre company. Watching young performers develop both on and off the stage transformed the way she viewed her future.

“I realized I wanted to spend my life teaching theatre and helping students grow,” she says.

Determined to pursue that calling, Murphy searched for a college that combined exceptional theatre training with a strong education program. She found both at Elmhurst University.

With one of the few theatre arts education programs in Illinois, paired with a highly regarded education program, Elmhurst immediately stood out. But it was her campus visit that confirmed she had found the right place.

“Walking around campus, it felt real,” she says. “I could picture myself living here.”

As an out-of-state student, she appreciated Elmhurst’s welcoming atmosphere, manageable distance from home and easy access to Chicago’s vibrant arts scene. It offered the perfect balance of independence, opportunity and community.

Taking Center Stage from Day One

Elmhurst’s personalized learning environment has given Murphy opportunities she never imagined having so early in her college career.

Because of the theatre department’s close-knit culture, she quickly found herself immersed in every aspect of theatrical production. During her first year, she performed in two musicals—including taking on a lead role—while also discovering a passion for technical theatre as an assistant stage manager.

One of her most memorable roles that year was playing Small Alison in the musical Fun Home. “I got to represent the LGBTQ community, and I’ll never forget the sense of pride I had at seeing the audience at the end of the show with tears in their eyes because of the passion that my castmates and I brought to our performances,” she says.

The hands-on experiences have only multiplied during her sophomore year and the start of her junior year.

She has stage-managed productions, assistant-directed a show, directed a one-act play, worked in the theatre scene shop and was elected president of Alpha Psi Omega, the University’s theatre honor society. Along the way, she’s also taken voice lessons through the music department and become increasingly involved in Elmhurst’s education program.

“I’ve been able to try things I never thought I’d do,” she says. “Each experience has helped me grow as both a leader and an artist.”

Finding a Home Away from Home

Moving five hours away from home could have been intimidating, but Murphy quickly discovered a community where she felt known and supported.

Whether grabbing dinner with friends, collaborating backstage or spending time hanging out with classmates between rehearsals, she is constantly forging connections. In fact, she says it’s rare to walk across campus without seeing familiar faces.

That sense of belonging extends into the classroom. Murphy credits the faculty in both the theatre and education departments with helping her grow not only academically but also personally. Theatre department chair Amy Lyn McDonald-Bagby has served as a mentor throughout her time at Elmhurst, while education professor Julie McGovern has modeled the compassion and intentionality Murphy hopes to bring to her own classroom one day.

“The professors genuinely care about who you are as a person,” she says. “They’ve created a place where I feel supported and challenged at the same time.”

Growing Through Every Opportunity

One lesson has shaped Murphy’s college experience more than any other: You get out what you put into it.

She believes success comes from saying yes to new experiences, asking questions and being willing to step outside your comfort zone.

For example, she never imagined working in the theatre scene shop because she didn’t have any carpentry skills, but when the opportunity arose, she accepted the challenge. Today, she considers it to be one of her most valuable experiences because she learned how to build, paint and assemble set pieces. “It showed me that I’m capable of much more than I thought,” she says.

That mindset has transformed her confidence. When Murphy arrived at Elmhurst, she admits she struggled with imposter syndrome. Through leadership roles, hands-on experiences and the support of faculty mentors, she’s developed a stronger sense of self and confidence in her abilities.

“I’ve become much more comfortable with who I am,” she says. “Every opportunity has helped me grow.”

Teaching Through the Arts

Each summer, Murphy has returned to St. Louis to direct youth theatre camps, where students produce a musical in just one week. Those experiences continue to reinforce why she chose theatre education.

She hopes to teach theatre or history in an elementary or high school after graduation before eventually earning a graduate degree in theatre or arts administration and pursuing leadership roles in higher education or nonprofit community theatre.

Her experiences as a student have motivated her to pay it forward: “I’ve had so many incredible teachers. If I can become even half the educator they were for me, I’ll consider that a success.”

Making the Most of Every Moment

Looking back on her Elmhurst experience so far, Murphy encourages future students to embrace every opportunity available to them.

“Leave with no regrets,” she says. “Join the organizations, try things that seem scary, and follow your passions. You never know which experience is going to change your life.”

Through a community that encourages involvement, leadership and creativity, Murphy feels certain she’s gaining the confidence, communication skills and real-world experience to become the kind of educator who will inspire students for years to come.

Go Far. Do Well. Visit elmhurst.edu/Admission to take the first step toward your future.