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Valley Student takes a "Step Up" on the Big Screen

Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Updated: Sunday, June 7, 2009 09:06

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STEP UP AND STAR - One time Valley College student Briana Evigan is one of the stars of the new urban-dance movie "Step Up to 2 the Streets."

She stands at 5 feet 6 inches, without shoes, in a loose fitting black dress that comes to rest just above her knees and is sporting her favorite leather brown flat boots with buckles. Briana Evigan braided her long brown, layered hair over her shoulder and topped the outfit off with a grayish black hat and big, dark sunglasses to give her radiant hazel eyes some shade while she drives.

Leaving Marymount College and coming to Valley College could have been the greatest decision ever made by this young, fresh Hollywood talent. Landing the leading role in the newly released film, "Step Up 2 The Streets" right after winning the gold in a national tournament for the Valley Forensics Program changed Evigan's life.

"I love Valley College" Evigan said. "Valley's speech team definitely brought me out of my shell; actually being confident in walking into a class full of people."

While on the speech and debate team, she had a half-dozen auditions for the film. With hopes of getting the role, she took off to Houston, Texas for the 2007 Phi-Rho Pi National Championship Tournament and came home a champion, claiming a gold medal for her performance in drama. She says winning 1st place in the country is one of her proudest accomplishments.

"That was hard work. I put three years into it, so it really paid off," said Evigan, who earned her associate degree in speech communications at Valley. "It was definitely worth every minute of it and definitely one of the coolest experiences ever. It really kept me focused and wanting to go to school and it showed me how important education really is."

While moving on to bigger and better things, Evigan still sticks to her roots by coming to Valley and helping others achieve their dreams. She helps coach the speech team by giving any assistance needed in dancing, acting or movement with vocals and theatre. Her humble attitude is appreciated not only by her peers, but by many others.

Co-Director of speech and debate Duane W. Smith describes Evigan as "A natural performer with great ability to take direction. She's special and doesn't act like it."

Acting has always been a dream for Evigan, but her dream was made a reality two weeks after winning the gold when she was offered the lead role in "Step Up 2 The Streets."

Evigan was born and raised in the entertainment business, her father Greg Evigan was on television in the '80s starring in shows such as "My Two Dads" and "TekWar." Even though performing is in her blood, Evigan says she's glad she attended Valley and that her time at the school opened her eyes and heart to trying new things.

Although "Step Up 2 The Streets" was a big commitment, Evigan said she hopes to return to school in the near future to achieve her bachelor's, but for now, she's on the verge of filming an independent film called "Subject: I Love You."

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