Newsletter

Jade Andrews ’21

Jade Andrews ’21 has been working as a freelance Costume Designer in the Chicagoland area since 2022. This past summer, she took on her fourth project with Big Deal Productions as the costumer on “Something Rotten.” Andrews is happy to have an “eggcellent” Renaissance period piece like this under her belt. Her favorite item she crafted for this show was Shakespeare’s bedazzled codpiece.

Tara Boettger ’02

Tara Boettger ’02 was one of 300 people (out of thousands of applicants) selected to be a White House holiday volunteer decorator over the Thanksgiving holiday week. While there, she connected with Fine & Performing Arts Dean Jeni Mokren, who also spent her week in Washington, D.C. as part of "Team Donner," making and hanging holiday decorations in the State Dining Room.

Visit Boettger's Instagram page to check out some great video she took during her White House visit!

Alli Byrne ’26

Alli Byrne ’26 spent the summer working at Kiwi Country Day Camp in Carmel, NY as a theatre specialist. Together she worked with her theatre team to put on "Finding Nemo Kids" and "Willy Wonka Kids," for which she served as the music director and stage manager. Additionally, she taught the basics of theatre to kids ages 3-13.

Lia Cardone ’25

Lia Cardone ’25 worked this past summer as Helga in "Cabaret" with Broadway Upstate in Hudson Falls, NY. She enjoyed dancing her summer away and performing in such an amazing cast.

Seamus Greene ’26

Seamus Greene ’26 writes: “I worked as a bar and box office clerk :) Each year, the REV, which is a local theatre company in Auburn, NY, puts on four shows in the summer and fall. This year, they have already put on 'Jersey Boys' and 'Newsies,' and will round off the season with 'Bandstand' and a North American premiere of a country jukebox musical called 'May We All.' It was fun getting to work a front-of-house position as I am typically an actor, but I also have customer service experience so it was awesome to welcome that back!”

Katie Gudzik ’22, Kat Collins ’23, and Kiana Duggan-Haas ’23

The Ribbit Theatre Company—the Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) company recently co-founded by Theatre Arts alumni Katie Gudzik ’22, Kat Collins ’23, and Kiana Duggan-Haas ’23—held its debut production, "A World of Wonder," in August 2024 at Tymor Park in Lagrangeville, NY.

"'A World of Wonder' is a concert-style production with an ensemble of local singer-storytellers performing music within a wide variety of genres, from musical theatre to classic rock to children's folk—timeless tunes and nostalgic numbers for the whole family to enjoy," the company said in a prepared statement. "This show aligns with our mission values to prioritize sustainability and accessibility by incorporating American Sign Language, maintaining a commitment to zero-waste theatre, and inviting the broader Hudson Valley community free of charge."

Learn more about the Ribbit Theatre Company.

Emilia Guzzetta ‘25

This past summer, Emilia Guzzetta ‘25 played Carpet, an anxious villain with a heart of gold, in "Raggedy Ann and Andy" at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, NY. Following this performance, Guzzetta played Annabelle the fairy in "Pinnochio." Guzzetta writes: "Annabelle has made some mistakes in trying to earn her wand, but she truly wants to help Geppetto turn his life around.”

Ellis Jablonski ’25

Ellis Jablonski ’25 writes: "This summer I was the prop designer for Giant Hat, which premiered at the Secret Theatre’s 2024 Act One: One Act Festival in NYC. I worked alongside recent NP Theater alumni William Reymann (playwright,) Sumire Muratsu (director), and Rae Ferrara (stage manager)."

Alex Lombardo ’23

This past summer, Alex Lombardo ’23g worked as the department assistant for company management at Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. "It was lovely to get to meet the company of actors and theater artists and be part of making theater come to life in the Hudson Valley," writes Lombardo. "I helped with hospitality, planning group events, and being part of making sure everything was organized for those performing/doing tech for performances every night."

Lester Mayers ’19

Lester Mayers ’19 has accepted a full-time faculty position as a visiting assistant professor of theater at Ramapo College in New Jersey starting in fall 2024, according to an announcement on his Instagram page.

Kristen McQuaid ’26

Kristen McQuaid ’26 worked on "Footloose" this summer, which was performed at the Rockaway Theatre Company from July 26-Aug. 11. "I was a part of the ensemble which consisted of lots of dance numbers, set changes, and lots of team effort," writes McQuaid.

Abby Rose ’24

Abby Rose ’24 worked as a staff electrician at the Glimmerglass Opera Festival in Cooperstown, NY. "Beyond assisting in setting up and taking down the light plot, my roles include being a spot op, deck electrician and board op for three of the five shows we have in rep and assisting in daily changeovers,” writes Rose.

Gab Salerno ’25

Gab Salerno ‘25 spent her summer playing the role of Miss Gardner in Narrows Community Theater’s production of “Carrie: The Musical.” She performed alongside fellow New Paltz friends and students Joseph Basile-Faicco ’26 and Caitlyn Schmidt ‘22, who played the roles of Mr. Stephens and Carrie, respectively. Salerno also performed in the Rising Voices Cabaret, a yearly event that donates all proceeds to the Hance Family Foundation. Both “Carrie: The Musical” and the “Rising Voices” Cabaret were directed by Joanne Centeno, one of Salerno's "bestest and most talented friends." Salerno will finish her final year at New Paltz this spring, and she can’t wait to see what’s in store.

C. Otis Sweezey ’69

Otis Sweezey ’69 (Theatre Arts) has designed two sets for the New Jewish Theatre, an equity theater in St. Louis, Missouri. In late 2022, he designed “Into the Woods” and was nominated for a St. Louis Theatre Circle Award for Outstanding Set Design in a Musical. In 2023, he designed the set for “All My Sons.”

“Set designer, C. Otis Sweezey, places the audience smack in the backyard of the Keller household for an up-close view of the fireworks that are about to ensue while Joe and Kate’s life continues to unravel,” wrote one reviewer. “Sweezey’s thrust set design fills the space ending right at the audience’s feet on all three sides of the stage."

Zack Tashoff ’23

Zack Tashoff ’23 spent the summer working at Elmwood Day Camp in White Plains, NY as a performing arts specialist. "I work with ages 4+ (alongside a few other NP students/alumni) playing games and having fun all day!” Zack writes.

Cesario Tirado-Ortiz ’22

Cesario Tirado-Ortiz ’22 writes: “I’ve been working across various different mediums in the theatre industry since graduation. I’m part of an inaugural program at 54 Below called the Genesis Project, assisting up-and-coming cabaret producers and performers in NYC. I also have been self producing my own play for The Tank’s Limefest, 'it’s been ten years since everyone died,' performing August 17 and 19.”

Niqo Torrez ’22

Director, dramaturg, and Theatre Arts adjunct lecturer niqo torrez ’22 directed "Town Hall," the first production of the 2024-25 Theatre Arts Mainstage production season.

Ryan Weston ’25

Ryan Weston ’25 assistant directed and was sound board operator for "Mean Girls Jr." for the Sterling Players Theatre Company in in Sterling, VA. "Working with the kids was so sweet and taught me a lot about how important theatre is at any age," wrote Weston.

Delaney Wickham ’27

Over the summer, Delaney Wickham ’27 performed in "Be More Chill"—playing the role of "Jeremy’s best friend, the hero, someone who doesn’t care about popularity," writes Wickham. The play was performed at the Cue Theatre in Albany, NY.