Born and raised in the Yakima Valley, Indie Fortier graduated from Naches Valley High School in 2023. Now, she鈥檚 pursuing an associate in arts in drama at Yakima Valley College 鈥� a decision that came from a moment of serendipity.
"I was waiting in line for the financial aid office and I saw an ad for auditions for YVC鈥檚 production of 鈥�Do You Feel Anger?鈥�," Fortier recalls. "I went to them on a whim, enjoyed it, and four months later, I am involved in nearly every theater in the city of Yakima."
Her love for theater ignited early, sparked by a memorable children's play, yet Fortier struggled to envision how her passion could translate into a career.
"Growing up, I went to a couple of children鈥檚 plays at the Capitol Theatre. One that really stands out to me was 鈥楢lexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.鈥� I remember going to that one and just being amazed by what they were doing on stage," said Fortier.
Initially unsure of her academic path, she explored various majors before settling on drama.
"When I first applied here, I was planning to major in American Sign Language, then later switched to business with plans to pursue marketing."
Fortier as Eva in YVC's 2024 Spring production of "Do You Feel Anger?"
Coming from a high school that didn't offer much in the way of drama and arts programming outside of band and choir, YVC has been a surprise for Fortier.
"YVC has really given me the opportunity to open up and explore new possibilities," she said. 鈥淓veryone has been so nice and welcoming to me. I know that I can have lifelong friends with everyone. And I know that once I graduate, I'm still going to be in contact with drama instructors Ray Pritchard and Alicia Bickley. I just feel so grateful for the open arms."
Active in extracurriculars, Fortier is a member of YVC Playmasters and the YVC Improv Group. She has also been active in every recent campus productions 鈥� fulling roles from stage design to acting.
鈥淚 pretty much live in Kendall Hall,鈥� joked Fortier. "Theatre Stagecraft (Drama 189) helped me understand a lot more about different aspects of theater. My goal is to eventually go on tours with theater productions, and having a well-rounded education in all aspects of theatre will be helpful. It's also helped me learn more skills for life, like crafting and fixing things."
Both Bickley and Pritchard have made a significant impact on Fortier.
"Alicia has given me the chance to be on stage during 鈥�Do You Feel Anger.鈥� And Ray helps me out with all the technical stuff that I want to learn. My two main focuses are costume and lighting design."
Overcoming barriers has been part of her journey at the college and she鈥檚 thankful for how YVC鈥檚 drama program has pushed her to grow.
"My confidence with public speaking and getting out of my comfort zone were challenges,鈥� said Fortier. 鈥淏efore I came here, I was very self-conscious, being on stage helped me get over my uncomfortableness.鈥�
Balancing work and studies, Fortier also works at the Capitol Theater as an usher and backstage hand and volunteers on the marketing team with Warehouse Theatre Company.
A recent highlight for Fortier was competing at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship in Phoenix this past February.
YVC Drama Instructor Ray Pritchard, left, along with students Dalilah Nelson and Indie Fortier while in Phoenix for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
"Being able to compete with my costume design for 鈥楾he Play That Goes Wrong,鈥� was amazing,鈥� recalls Fortier. 鈥淪eeing all the other designs and seeing how much I can improve as a designer really put into perspective for me how much more growth I have in theater. And honestly, it's a constant learning experience here. I realized I will forever be a student, whether I'm getting paid for it or paying for it. I love to constantly learn and theater has given me the opportunity to do that.鈥�
Fortier is on track to graduate from YVC鈥檚 program in 2027 and hopes to transfer to a four-year university to complete her bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Story by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA 鈥�05, communications consultant. Photos by Menard and Matt Barton, graphic designer/multimedia content producer and submitted.