Before auditioning for the main role of Alceste in Moliere’s The Misanthrope, I was only pre-exposed to Moliere’s position in theatre history and his plays in the classroom and one professional production of The Miser on stage in London’s West End. Hanover College’s courses prepared the important background I needed to understand the influences and styles of writing that make up Moliere’s body of work. Of course, I have sampled at least two or three of his plays on paper; however, seeing one of his farces on stage during my Shakespeare course in London gave me a better understanding of how these three hundred year old farces could still be effectively produced today. I had the chance to be exposed to how directors can take these humorously over the top moments and direct their actors to work these scenes and bring these classical characters to life but still connect with a modern audience. My live example was not The Misanthrope but The Miser, and I only read The Misanthrope one previous time before encountering my role as Alceste on the stage. What I learned in the classroom and experienced in the theater would help guide me, but studying the piece and its characters was a must before I felt confident taking on what would be my biggest role in a Hanover College production.