by Erica Zhu ’23

Although this year, we were forced to roll back theater performances from the Fall/Winter terms to the Winter/Spring terms, our theater department was in no way ready to let COVID close out the shows for good. What many students love about the acting workshops, though, is that even if musicals and theater and everything in between isn’t a strong suit, they can still make an appearance and show off hidden talents. Described as an “acting recital” where actors train to be better presenters and performers, this year’s Spring Acting Workshop featured nineteen one-act plays and scenes in the Buckingham Performing Arts Center(BPAC) from April 27th to May 1st. 

Everyone involved gave it their all– there was certainly never a lack of prop, costume, or spirit. Directed by our beloved Jason Sherry, Ellen Sherry, and Floyd Bussie, the show went off without a hitch.

“Seeing our Sem stages come alive again with performers filled my soul this year! We had a wonderful run of Footloose and our beloved Acting Workshop featuring so many students on our stages and behind the scenes! The class of 2022 was a big part of the theater department. We are excited for their new paths, but will miss them greatly!” Ellen Sherry, Master of Costumes and Director explained. 

Perhaps the most bittersweet is that of the parting of this year’s graduates who, together, are the faces of both a little over half of our theater department and workshop: Kieran Sherry, Jake Ruderman, Nathaniel Stavish, Lily Qiu, Evan Swartz, Rhianna Lewis, Gram Doherty, Julia Poole, Sophia Galante, Cassidy Rhodes-Aniska, Daniel Irwin, Hayoung Kim, Emily Chen, Ariana Marien, Ian Poole, Jennifer Zemetro, Dominica Delayo, Gigi Ruggiero, and Marshal Curtis will all be setting off for new adventures. Their legacy of acting and smiles, along with words of advice, will never leave us.

“Spring/Winter Workshop is one of the most fun, and rewarding parts of my years at Sem. The Spring Workshop provides a smaller and less intimidating theatre experience for anyone who may be nervous to start acting. You can do anywhere from 1 to 5 scenes, and each one is so different. I was in two scenes, Go to the Light, where I was an overworked facebook obsessed 30 year old, and in a completely different scene I had to restart a conversation every time a bell was rang. If you want to act, but are too nervous to do the Musical, do the workshop. I can guarantee you that it will be so, so fun,” said Julia Poole ‘22

Every evening was filled with the laughter of students and parents who saw familiar faces, in addition to visiting alumni. From the comedy in Citizen Kane(by Kids in the Hall) and The Philadelphia(byDavid Ives), to even the cute, sweet Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind(by Charlie Kaufman)and When Harry Met Sally(by Nora Ephron), there was truly something for everyone who loves seeing or being in the theater.