Liz Oltjen

Oltjen Carries Charisma

After acting in a Kansas friend and cinematographer of “Trust people’s lives by fixing their teeth is City-based film, a freshman seeks her passions with excitement. Fund,” Isaac Alongi, was in search of a look-alike younger version of the main character of the movie. “I think she has the personality mesmerizing,” she said. “I want to make people smile, which is why I feel that being an orthodontist is a great fit for me.” BY ALEX D’ALESIO and the right look,” Alongi said. “She’s For now, though, Oltjen spends Speaking with freshman Liz Oltjen feels like chatting with an old friend. Her easygoing personality draws you in, and WEB MANAGING EDITOR a fun girl that doesn’t take herself too seriously, and that’s exactly what we were looking for.” When he thought of Oltjen, she was more than happy to be a part of the experience. her time involved in cheerleading, Campus Ministry, REbeL and Girl Up. She is enjoying the life of a teenager - hanging out with friends, going to the movies and, of course, indulging in Netflix. She reminisces about an her enthusiasm is contagious. Her blue “Knowing that I was getting to be all-time favorite movie of hers - the eyes fill with excitement, and a warm in a real-life movie was unbelievable,” “Wizard of Oz.” smile spreads across her face as she Oltjen said. “I’d say now the best part is “I’ve been watching it my whole gushes about an experience few could really getting to see myself on screen.” life. I watched it every day, over and only imagine - hitting the big screen. She acted as the childhood Reese over, when I was a kid,” she said. “It’s

Riding bikes through downtown Donahue, who would grow up to steal very whimsical, and I think it has a with co-star Sophia Self who plays the family money and run away to Italy, good message that ‘no matter where childhood Audrey Donahue, Oltjen only to later realize the importance you go, there’s no place like home.’” transformed into the young Reese of the love she had at home. Recently, Both the “Wizard of Oz” and Donahue, engaging in sisterly banter Oltjen and a group of friends went to “Trust Fund” share this underlying in the midst of autumn trees in the see the movie together. theme - both main characters, Dorothy new movie, “Trust Fund.” and Reese, have a strong A first time actress, Oltjen eased into the world of show business with a small part in “Knowing that I was getting to be in a real-life movie was unbelievable. desire to return home, because home means family, something that resonates the film shot almost entirely in Kansas City. I’d say now the best part is really deeply with Oltjen. And home means

“I didn’t have a lot of getting to see myself on screen.” friends. experience being in any movies, so just not getting — Liz Oltjen “Liz is really friendly, outgoing, open and easy nervous while we were to talk to,” Koppers said. “I shooting was pretty hard, because “I loved seeing her in it,” freshman feel like we are such good friends even while acting you have to act normal,” Melissa Koppers said. “It was very though I haven’t known her for that she said. “Because we did so many surreal to see her in one of the opening long.” takes, after the first couple times, we scenes of the movie.” You may see Oltjen on the got comfortable.” Yet, Oltjen does not aspire to be big screen again, or you may see

Oltjen pursued a short stint an actress in the future. Though she her donning a white coat in the in acting at age 10, as her middle says she would definitely act in another orthodontist’s office. Either way, her school friend encouraged her to join film given the chance, her heart is set charisma will not fail to captivate you. classes. For one year, Danceworks on orthodontics. Since the first time As for her ambition, Oltjen continues Conservatory became the home of she walked into her father’s office at to follow the advice she gives others. her acting career. Though she had three years old, she knew she loved “Just go for it,” Oltjen said. not acted since, her break for the big every second of his job. “Because that’s what I did, and I had a screen was set in motion when a family “The way that he gets to change great time with it.”

Charisma On and Off Screen