As students boarded the bus, excitement filled the air as many were about to see their favorite star in person. Writer, Emmy award winning actress, producer, director, mother, wife, and comedian are phrases that describe the hilarious Tina Fey. Through acting, writing, and producing, Tina Fey is nothing if not pioneering in comedy.

This past week, Tina Fey visited Pace through an interview at Inside the Actor’s Studio, with host James Lipton. Pleasantville students had the opportunity to see the comedic actress interview by signing up for a bus ride to the Manhattan campus through SDCA for only five dollars.

“We’ve been hosting The Actor’s Studio for years at the city campus; however, this is the first time working with Martin Kagan, the executive director of cultural affairs Schimmel Center,” said Dean for Students Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo. “We were trying to offer students here at Pleasantville more cultural experiences, like the Globe Theatre, and how we could get more of our students to Schimmel, so I thought the Actors Studio would be the most popular, from talking to students.”

Upon arrival, students waited in line to enter the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts. Soon after students sat down, host James Lipton entered and announced the special guest Tina Fey as she entered, who received a standing applause and cheers from the crowd upon entering.

As the interview moved forward, Mrs. Fey discussed her origins and family. The audience gained insight to her childhood stories, from her conservative All-American father to the tragic event that resulted in her scar. Fey also discussed the shows that had influenced her as a child; which included The Honeymooners, The Carol Burnett Show, as well as Saturday Night Live, itself.

The audience also got to see what influenced and motivated Tina Fey in her career choices.

“[Saturday Night Live] was always a dream,” Tina Fey said. “I didn’t want to leave.”

However, Fey went on to describe how she moved forward with her career, which included such projects as Mean Girls and Baby Mama. Fey explained how her high school experience also helped influence the film Mean Girls.

When the opportunity arose, she explained how the idea of 30 Rock was initially to be a show that portrayed behind the scenes of a news station with anchors. Instead, the idea was pushed aside to have more of a behind the scenes of Saturday Night Live feel.

[Liz Lemon was] a sliding doors version of myself,” Fey said, explaining the creation of her 30 Rock character. “It was me if I never met Jeff, my husband.”

After being asked about the show coming to a close, Fey explained how during the final episodes, there were many emotions in the air behind the scenes.

“It was a very close cast,” Fey said. “We spent so much time together.”

Fey also gave students some advice when it comes to the industry, concerning directors and writing.

“A good director makes you want to feel like you’re in a safe environment to try new things, you’re putting yourself out there,” Fey said. “The best thing for any writer is a hard deadline, and what I look for during casting calls is someone who doesn’t paraphrase and a person that talks fast.”

James Lipton couldn’t help but ask about what many see as Tina Fey’s best work: her Sarah Palin impression. As the discussion proceeded, Lipton asked if he could see Fey’s improvisation skills by having an interview with “Sarah Palin” instead of Mrs. Fey. Although a bit hesitant, Fey agreed do the impersonation, much to the audience’s approval.

“If everyone had a gun, there would be fewer guns in stores,” said Fey as Sarah Palin. “Marriage is meant for people who wear two different types of swimsuits.”

The crowd roared with laughter, as the interview continued. Fey also had the chance to showcase her new upcoming film, Admissions, set to release March 22of this year. The event allowed students to gain a new experience.

“I was interested in learning more about Tina Fey and ended up learning things that I had no idea about,” freshman nursing major Ashley Friday said. “I think it’s a good idea for an event as long as [Pace] provides transportation.”

Transportation is planned to be of service to future events for the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts.

“This had been kind of a pilot, to provide students transportation to these kinds of events,” Dean Lisa said. “I’m always willing to help an organization or a group of students with transportation to these kinds of events.”

SDCA hosting a trip to Inside the Actor’s Studio Tina Fey event allowed students to benefit the most from their college experience.

“We haven’t been able to save tickets for students [in the past],” said Dean Lisa. “We thought it would be a good experience to offer students more opportunities in the city, because obviously we are so close to the city and the arts, and the actors studio is a big piece of that.”

Students also feel that similar trips would be good for the student body. The Actor’s Studio offers students an opportunity to get a more in depth experience with the arts.

“In the last three or four years, we have gotten much more interest in the arts from a co-curricular standpoint,” Dean Lisa said. “We have tried to see what students are interested in, and right away, in about 24 hours, we got the spots filled up for the Tina Fey event.”

Dean Lisa, herself, has enjoyed an experience at the Schimmel Center by getting a chance to see Jennifer Anniston at Inside the Actor’s Studio.

“I‘ve always been a fan of Jennifer Anniston and was able to see her at the Actor’s Studio, it was awesome,” Dean Lisa said. “It’s such a fantastic venue. We would love to do more and get students to the other events that Schimmel offers, outside of Actor’s studio.”

Students who attended the event were also able to gain an entertaining experience from the interview.

“I enjoyed watching Tina Fey do her Sara Palin impression. It was impressive to watch,” first year psychology major Jenni Marques said. “I feel that [events like these] allow students to feel connected to the city campus and ensure that they benefit from what it has to offer, as well. The Actors Studio is a great source for Pleasantville students to visit the city campus for something both educational and fun.”

Aside from the appreciation of the arts, it also allows students to utilize the services the Manhattan campus has to offer.

“As professionals there has been an act to bridge contact between the campuses,” said Dean Lisa.

After the success of the Tina Fey event, there are plans to continue providing services to the Michael Schimmel Center of the Arts.

“While students are here their four years, I hope they visit the Actor’s Studio or an event at the Schimmel Center because it’s a wonderful center for arts and culture and it’s in our backyard,” said Dean Lisa. “I think if we are able to have students get that experience, The Actor’s Studio is one of the great treasures Pace has to offer.”