Lucy Malmsten helps Hope students learn to act and to appreciate theatre more broadly. She is among the teachers of the Department of Theatre’s introductory course, and also teaches an acting course for non-majors.

As an undergraduate, Lucy double-majored in political science and theatre, which mesh in her interest in political theatre: Lucy believes strongly in the power of theatre to enact change.

While in college, she appeared in 10 stage productions and interned with a troupe that presented Shakespeare adaptations for children. She studied abroad in London and Edinburgh, focusing on Shakespearean and classical acting. Lucy received her master of fine arts degree from The Actors Studio in New York City, where she was fortunate enough to continue her studies of acting, voicework, and movement, leading to her whole-body holistic approach to teaching acting.

She began teaching at Hope in 2024. Independently, she also helps individuals construct monologues and offers stage movement workshops for performers, and workshops on building empathy, trust, and confidence within a workplace team.

Areas of Expertise

• Acting
• Directing
• Movement 
• Shakespeare

Education

• MFA, acting, Actors Studio Drama School, Pace University, 2020
• B.A., acting and directing & political science, Eastern Connecticut State University, 2017

Presentations

• “Peter Brooks’ Life, and Most Notable Work: An In-depth Glimpse into his Acting Style,” The Actors Studio, New York, 2019 
• “Political Science in Theatre: A Devised Theatre Approach to the Syrian Refugee Crisis,” Create Conference, Eastern Connecticut State University, 2017
• “Erwin Piscator: A Look into the Founding Father of Political Theatre,” presentation at Eastern Connecticut State University, 2017

SELECTED DIRECTING AND ACTING CREDITS

Directing

• Much Ado About Nothin’, The Improv Asylum, 2022
• If Women Rose Rooted, The Tank NYC, 2019
• Hamlet: For Kids!, Willimantic (CT) Children’s Theatre, 2017
• The Flowering Peach, Eastern Connecticut State University, 2016

Acting

• Amy, Black Sheep (film written by Caleb Cushing), 2023
• Shea, Woke (staged reading), The Actors Studio, 2022
• Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothin’, The Asylum Theater, 2022
• Miz Buckaroo, Vigilance!, ASDS Festival, 2020
• Nora, A Doll’s House, ASDS Festival, 2019

Outside the College

Lucy enjoys video games, exploring Michigan with her husband, and auditioning for plays.