Today, we are celebrating all of our graduating seniors!
We have had the pleasure of knowing and working with you in class, in our shops, and in our theaters. You have achieved so much in four years, and even though your last year did not go as planned, you have continued to impress us with your creativity, your compassion, and your resilience. We are so proud of you!
This video only begins to highlight the relationships, the productions, and the love from the past four years at Salem State Theatre. Thank you for the memories!
Congratulations to the class of 2021!
The Senior Awards are presented to a select group of graduating seniors who are members of the Class of 2021 and who meet the following criteria for each award:
Jacob Crosbie: Special Recognition Award
Lily Tavares: Special Recognition Award
Justin Hatch: Silver Key Award
Silver Key
Applicant has a cumulative grade point average between 3.00 and 4.00, significant involvement within the major area of academic concentration, and participation in co-curricular activities within the university community.
Special Recognition
Applicants have demonstrated involvement within the major area of academic concentration and demonstration of significant involvement in co-curricular activities within the college community.
Congratulations!
Salem State Theatre proudly presents:
Acting Recital 2021
Directed by Brianne Beatrice
COMPANY:
Schanaya Barrows
Ryan Richard Doyle
Gabrielle Gervasio
Emily Henry
Catherine Janos
Ben Joyall
Nick William Principi
Margaret Sweeney
Lily Tavares
Christopher Vega
Xander Viera
Alexandra White
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Lighting Designer
Hunter Mountz
Filming and Editing
Michael M. Harvey and Topher Morris
Enjoy the show!
"Spend every moment you can backstage and enjoy it. Seeing your work onstage pays off.
After graduation, I hope to work in Theatre doing anything backstage. Preferably in the Boston area."
Congratulations Hannah!
"Looking back at my time here at SSU I could write a laundry list of things that I have learned. From my art, my craft, to myself and others. I have been able to find myself in ways I never thought I would be able to. The people that I have met here have acted as my inspiration and drive. I will always cherish these memories.
After graduation, I plan on working in local theatre’s near my hometown and building my resume before I go to grad school."
Congratulations Sarah!
“I didn’t think I’d get this far” -Plankton from Spongebob
Post-graduation plans: "I’m going to California to visit my friend!"
"I’m so grateful for the experiences I’ve had at Salem State and the friends I made along the way. I got to learn so many new things about this hobby of mine and I hope that they will help me in my future endeavors, no matter what they may be. Here’s hoping that we can all return to live theater in the near future. Congratulations to everyone graduating this semester!"
Congratulations Laura!
"Jacob has enjoyed all his experiences at SSU and is grateful that he has gathered the confidence to work professional freelance in Boston from the help from those who supported his education.
After graduation, Jacob plans on leaving for his second summer stock season at Maine State Music Theater in Brunswick, Maine. Following that he is going to pursue working theatre in Boston and graduate school for technical direction."
Congratulations Jacob!
"My experience at SSU has helped to shape me in so many ways as an actor, and as a person. I'm so grateful for the lifelong friendships that I have created through the program, and I'm even more excited for what the future holds. I will hold so many memories from my time here near and dear to my heart, and I can't thank everyone (Professors, Friends, Family) enough for the support that was given to me."
Congratulations Caleb!
"I loved my experience at SSU. I expected to feel like a fish out of water, being older than most of the other students in first year lab/classes but I felt right in place and accepted. I made so many lifelong friendships from SSU and learned more than I could ever ask for."
Congratulations Colleen!
"You have to put in the work to see the work!
After graduation, I plan on moving to LA to work in the film industry!"
Congratulations, Gabrielle!
"Collaboration is what drew me to the theatre, and I couldn’t have asked for better collaborators. The support of my peers and professors over the past three years has been everything to me. I have been uplifted, challenged, and honored by your artistry and your insights. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this department, it is to face the unknown with confidence. The scariest situations have often been the most rewarding. Thank you for letting me grow with you.
You can’t get rid of me just yet, though! I’ll be around next spring, virtually or otherwise, for The Thing They Love, so at least for some of us it’s not goodbye. See you soon!"
Congratulations Parker!
"The SSU Theatre Department truly helped me discover who I am as an artist, educator, and administrator. I am so incredibly thankful for my time here at SSU and will cherish each memory I have made!
After graduation, I'll be staying local to work for the North Shore YMCA Creative Arts Department!"
Congratulations Justin!
"I loved the community here in the theater program! I loved being able to connect with my peers on a professional level most of all. Everyone treated everyone else professionally, which is perhaps what I loved most about it. We all grew into adults almost overnight! (Well, four years.) You can be friends with everyone and still handle yourself professionally! Everyone truly supports one another.
After graduation, I am actually going to be going into a rather fun field that I have recently discovered goes really well with all my talents! Over my time at SSU I have discovered a love for all things theatrical not just acting! In our journey to become well-rounded artists. I am going to use everything I learned in all my courses (whether that be design, costumes, directing, etc.) and I am going to be a wedding planner!!!"
Congratulations Emily!
"My time here at Salem State University has been a life-changing experience! I cannot thank the theatre department enough for everything they have taught me and the class of 2021. Shoutout to fellow graduate and best friend, Jillian Pinkham, for making my time here at Salem State so magical! Fly with wings and I hope we cross paths again soon!
After graduation, my next step is to work on my masters in Moderate Disabilities (K-8) and receive my license to teach theatre education.”
Congratulations Alex!
Congratulations Cat!
"Despite being altered by the pandemic, Salem State gave me opportunities that I’ll forever be thankful for. I transferred here for the acting, but I’m leaving having experience in directing, costuming, stage tech, and so much more. The training I have received here is unparalleled to anything else I’ve been a part of. With the help of Covid-19 we also got to dip our toes into the film acting which none of us expected. Throughout dark times, we always found a light. Adaptability and our sense of community kept us together to make beautiful art. From First Year Lab to finishing with The Laramie Project, there were so many wonderful experiences that helped me achieve what I came here for."
Congratulations Ben!
"The last four years at SSU have not only strengthened my knowledge as an actress but as a person as well. I have met and gotten to know so many wonderful people through this Theatre Program and through the school. I have made so many memories that will last the rest of my life. I am so excited to break out of the walls of education and see what the real world has to offer for my future career. Thank you so much Salem State, it has been quite a wild ride to say the least!"
Congratulations Jillian!
"This past school year has really taught me to appreciate every second of my time. College flies by incredibly fast; it feels like just yesterday I was waking up and sprinting to my 8:00am Intro to Stagecraft class. I am so grateful for the past four years I've spent at SSU. Thank you to the people I’ve met during my time here who have humbled, encouraged, and believed in me during times when I didn’t believe in myself. I am honored to have worked alongside so many brilliant artists who continue to inspire me and help me grow. There’s been many things I have learned over the past four years, but learning how to make honest and compassionate theatre may be the most transformative thing I can take with me beyond graduation. A masterpiece doesn't require a lot of spectacle; if your heart is fully committed to what you create, then you can make a masterpiece out of anything."
Congratulations Margaret!
"I met a handful of really amazing people because of this department and I made memories that will be with me for the rest of my life time!
After graduation, I am going to be doing a summer internship at Phillips Academy Exeter, as the Head Administrative Intern of Summer Session. Also I will be moving in to an apartment with Benjamin Joyall and adopting a French Bulldog. "
Congratulations Lily!
"These past four years at Salem State have been transformative. I am blessed to have worked with so many talented & committed faculty members, peers and guests in this community. Though it is not ending how I ever expected I feel truly lucky to have crossed paths with this department, and everyone in it. Perhaps more importantly, I have been fortunate to listen, to grow and to collaborate with you all. I so look forward to continuing to cross paths and making art when in person performance exists again.”
Congratulations Alexandra!
"My experience at SSU has largely been about finding direction for myself. Fitting that one of the last classes in the Theatre Department I should take is Directing 1. These last two semesters have given me a unique chance to reflect on my education up to this point, and on reaching into the future. I'll always think fondly of the direction I've chosen, compromising nothing between my dual interest both in Acting and the Theatre, and in Music.
After graduation, I plan to publish some original music."
Congratulations Thomas!