Alumna Spotlight: Ashley Burton-Pruitt
Photo provided by Rampage student photographer Rachel Hendrick.
Raised in Bluefield’s beautiful neighboring county of Bland, Virginia, and a graduate of Bluefield University, Ashley Burton-Pruitt has great plans for her future.
Pruitt received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from BU in 2020. During her time at BU, she choreographed numerous shows and performed countless productions. She spoke about how thankful she is for her time at BU.
“I was able to do things and try things that I wouldn’t elsewhere have been able to do,” Pruitt said.
As part of the Theatre Department at a smaller school like BU, Pruitt wore many hats and learned a wide range of skills. She believes this has helped her in her pursuit of a master’s degree and in the professional world.
After graduating from BU, Pruitt spent a short time living in Australia and studying ballroom dance. Shortly after, Pruitt returned to Bluefield to assist the Theatre Department. This included choreographing and assistant directing.
In fact, this semester Pruitt solo-directed her first Bluefield Youth and Community Theatre (BYCT) production, an upbeat and lively adaptation of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which received great reviews from the community.
While Pruitt has already achieved much, she doesn’t plan to stop there. She recently started attending Randolph College, where she is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Directing with hopes of teaching college students.
Pruitt shared that she loves theatre because of the “new world” it creates and its ability to let you escape the stressful things of life.
“You can be somebody else and be somewhere else,” Pruitt stated.
Junior Elei Haynes, who has performed in countless BU theatre productions including Pruitt’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, shared her experience working with Pruitt.
“Ashley is truly one of the most hardworking people I know,” stated Haynes. “Not only is she an amazing choreographer, director, and student, she is an amazing friend and truly a joy to know and work with.”
