Dunphey will play the role of Sandra Bloom in the theatre department’s production of “Big Fish” this week.
Courtesy | Rachel Dunphey

Rachel Dunphey is a senior philosophy and religion major from Traverse City, Michigan. She is a member of Pi Beta Phi and the senior legacy board, and is the secretary of Alpha Psi Omega theater honorary. She is also the honorary lead female singer of the student band Runaround. After graduation, she will marry senior Jeremy Holford.

What is your favorite Hillsdale memory?

Definitely my time in Italy on Dr. Anna Vincenzi’s and Dr. Lorenzo Bonati’s study abroad program. Hands down the best four weeks of my life. My absolute favorite memory from this trip (though there are so many) was our trip to Palermo, Sicily. Between sitting on the beach, going to the downtown fish market, and trying the mussel pasta, that day was truly one I will remember forever.  

What is on your bucket list to do before you graduate? 

I want to sit on the roof of a house and soak in the sun. I don’t know if the bucket list item is more sitting on a roof or taking in the sun, but at the moment I would be extremely content with either.

If you could magically become fluent in any language, what would it be?

Italian for sure. It would be so helpful for all the arias that I sing. Also, I would be able to barter down prices in Italy a lot better when I visit. While I am not fluent in Italian, I am pretty sure I could read it aloud with decent pronunciation, simply because I sing in it so much.  

What is your most controversial food opinion? 

Don’t hate me but I actually prefer medium-well/well-done steak. Now, I’m not a monster and I don’t order my steak that way when I go out to a nice steakhouse. And I have eaten and enjoyed a rare steak, but I genuinely like the taste of a medium-well steak better.

If your life at the moment had a theme song, what would it be? 

“Talk It Up” by Sammy Rae & The Friends, mostly because I am a chronic yapper, but also I think that the vibe of the music fits me well. It’s just a song that makes you want to bop around and dance, and I can’t think of something that fits me better as a person.  

What has been your favorite musical performance at Hillsdale that you’ve been a part of? 

I think “Bright Star” will always be my favorite musical performance. It truly allowed me to flourish and grow into the actress I am today. Though “Big Fish” is a close second — thanks to its incredible cast and crew. And my performances with Runaround will always hold a special place in my heart.

If you could relive one day of your life, which would it be? 

My 21st birthday (last year). It was over spring break, and I was with my amazing group of friends all staying in little log cabins in the Appalachian Mountains. They surprised me with brunch and then we went to a beautiful little winery nearby and ended the night with all my friends banding together to make my mom’s homemade potpie. That day was absolutely perfect, and I could not ask for a better group of friends to celebrate another year around the sun with.  

What state do you never want to go back to?

Ohio, for no reason other than that I am a Michigander and it’s Ohio. Enough said.