After spending her college career dazzling audiences in Klein Theatre, aspiring actor, singer, and model Taryn Elisabeth Snyder now works behind the scenes for the University of Mary Washington’s Theatre Department as the Assistant to the Chair. In her free time, Taryn is nonstop in her mission to spread self-love, body positivity, and exuberant joy — making sure to have a few laughs along the way.

• Age? 24
• Theme song? "I Don't Care" by Ariana Grande.
• Great book? Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk.
• Dream role? Every leading female role in every Sondheim show.
• Total crush? Other than Stephen Sondheim? Tie between Ian Somerholder and Natalie Dormer.
• Hidden talent? Mimicking musical vocal styles. I'm pretty good at manipulating my voice to sound like other people. I do a mean Marilyn Monroe, Eric Cartman, and of course, Patsy Cline, but I can only do musical impressions. I have no talent for straight-up impressions (I'm working on it).
• Weapon of choice? Crossbow.
• Super power? Shape-shifting. I refuse to believe this isn't the best super power. Who doesn't want to be able to randomly turn into a dragon? I mean, come on.
• Personal record? I remain the undefeated flip cup champion of the UMW Theatre Department. No one has ever or will ever beat me, which is doubly impressive when you consider I don't play with beer, I play with whiskey.
• Know any jokes? What do you call an Australian father who plays music? A dad-eridoo. Like a didgeridoo. Puns — I'll know my soulmate the day someone laughs at that joke.
• Love advice? You come first. I think all too often people lose themselves in relationships. Love is wonderful and maddening all at once, but you should always keep a strong sense of yourself and your own worth. It's the old saying, “You can't love someone until you love yourself.”

Taryn will be launching a YouTube channel with fellow actor Evan T. Crump this fall. Follow her on Snapchat (@tarynesnyder) and Instagram (@tarynelisabethsnyder) for updates on their progress.

Photography by Geoff Greene
Special thanks to Bruce Middle