At 11 years old, Elizabeth Perkin Moen discovered that the theatre was part of her DNA when she appeared in The Wizard of Oz, starting her on a 40-year run of performances that continues to this day. 

It has been quite a ride for Moen (pictured, front row, second from left) as she’s performed in numerous productions — sometimes three or four plays a year — through her participation with the Grosse Pointe Theatre, Actor’s Loft, dinner theatres and various murder mystery and interactive theatre groups.

Her repertoire of performances is extensive, including most recently 84 Charing Cross Road, Fox on the Fairway, The Heiress, Last Night on the Titanic, Music Man, Scarlett Pimperell and Sylvia. 

Along the way, the lights of the theatre haven’t dimmed for the 52-year-old Grosse Pointe Woods resident, but she soon realized that pursuing an education seemed like a credible goal that could lead to some financial security. “Though my heart was inclined to pursue the theatre as a major, I knew the reality of the situation, that I needed to look at other fields,” Moen said.

In 1983, the newly minted high school graduate seemed to experience an epiphany when she landed on Wayne State’s campus as both a freshman and student assistant in the Office of Testing and Evaluation. “As an actor, I’ve always considered myself a communicator on stage. In the testing office, a whole new world of communication opened up to me in the form of statistics and evidence-informed decision-making.” 

Moen’s fascination with numbers, which she says “are a means to an end,” motivated her to earn her bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. in education evaluation and research (EER). During her years in the classroom, she has also worked at WSU in various positions tied to research and statistics. She is currently affiliated with the College of Nursing as manager of faculty affairs, support and data, and serves as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Education’s EER program.

Though Moen’s love for the theatre remains strong, she is equally passionate about a volunteer effort that she refers to as her “personal program of research project.” The project, which she pursues on her own time, is in its very early stages. It involves a topic that Moen believes is at the top of the list in terms of priority research — a belief that is shared by her employer.  

“The College of Nursing is committed to doing everything necessary to close the health disparities gap,” Moen said. “My research project addresses part of the gap — identifying it, looking at causes and offering solutions — in particular, the dearth of underrepresented individuals in graduate programs, where they are so needed for their leadership and scholarship.” 

In addition to the world of numbers and statistics — and, of course, the theatre — the single mother of two teenagers still manages to branch out into other areas of interest. “People tend to tell me about (needy) animals, and I either find them a home or get them shelter. My most recent adoption is a cat who was found homeless, starving and evidently abandoned after a botched declawing. He is now sleek, well-fed and master of all he surveys.”

Moen’s achievements and interests also branch out into some rather unique areas. Resting on top of a cabinet in her office is a trophy-like artifact that is called the Dude Statue. This coveted award was given to Moen in 2008 from WSU’s fitness center for bench pressing 105 pounds.

“Definitely a proud, and yes, rather odd moment,” Moen added with a smile. “It was the first time women competed, and they didn’t have a female statue. But I earned the Dude Statue, and I’m good with it!”