Anthony Pellegrino, who graduated magna cum laude from Moraine Valley, plans to pursue a career in comedy and film acting.
Anthony Pellegrino, a 2018 Moraine Valley Community College graduate, has been named a recipient of a $10,000 Chicagoland Transfer Award.
Pellegrino’s winning essay, “How My Community College Prepared Me for Success at Columbia,” earned him the scholarship to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Comedy Writing and Performance at Columbia College Chicago.
“I am so relieved to get this scholarship,” said Pellegrino, of Tinley Park. “This takes a lot of weight off my shoulders. I’m very lucky and very, very grateful.” His essay relayed his gratitude to two Moraine Valley teachers who taught him the importance of networking and reaching out to faculty who can provide valuable assistance when needed.
Once enrolled at Moraine Valley, he learned more about his craft from several of his teachers, including Communications adjunct instructor Raymond Berry, who encouraged Pellegrino to take classes at Second City; and Dr. Craig Rosen, Academic Theater Program coordinator and professor of Theater, who gave him a new perspective on acting techniques.
“Mr. Berry really pushed me. I took the Second City classes at night—completed all of the acting programs and successfully auditioned for the acting conservatory. It was a rigorous schedule, especially since I was at Moraine Valley full-time, but it paid off,” he said. In July Pellegrino signed a non-exclusive contract that will help him obtain some experience with television commercials and film work.
Rosen’s teaching methods and compassion, Pellegrino said, complemented his knowledge. “I was used to one specific way of acting through my Second City classes and Doc definitely prepared me for whatever follows because it was the first time I had another acting perspective, and the methods I learned from him all made sense to me,” he said.
Pellegrino, who graduated magna cum laude from Moraine Valley, plans to pursue a career in comedy and film acting.
