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The School of the Arts at ¶¶ÒõÆƽâ°æ will feature the talents of senior theatre majors in the Theatre Senior Showcase on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15, 2023. Featuring scenes, songs, and monologues, the annual Theatre Senior Showcase is a celebration of the Class of 2023 and the cohort’s formal introduction to the professional theatre community.

As they prepare to take the Main Stage one final time, Musical Theatre majors Sara Chemi ’23, Chloe Goodman ’23 and Ethan Lazaro ’23 gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how the showcase is coming together.

“Since my college experience was heavily impacted by COVID, and performance opportunities were limited – this class has given me and my classmates a chance to shine and show our skills over the past four years here at Dean,” explained Chloe, who will be performing both a song and a monologue in the showcase. “The talent and skills and overall work ethic we have developed in this class is going to be demonstrated throughout this show, and I can say confidently that this show is truly something very special.”

“We’ve been preparing all semester for this showcase picking songs and monologues that fit us and our goals for our future,” added Sara. “Our director, Ava Gaudet, has done a great job helping us pick material that really fits us as people and performers. And all the people in our class are so talented and it’s really been great to see each of us pick material that is perfect for us.”

It’s the moment they’ve all been working up to since they first set foot on campus.

“Preparing for the 2023 Senior Showcase has been a process that started from the moment we came to Dean,” said Ethan. “All our hard work in classes, rehearsals and other performances is finally going to pay off as we ‘showcase’ our growth over our four years here.”

Featuring 23 senior performance majors and their various scenes, songs and monologues, the Theatre Senior Showcase is a chance for each member of the Class of 2023 to shine as they prepare to enter the professional world. But it’s each other’s talents that they’re all most excited for the audience to witness.

“My senior class has so much range and outstanding abilities – not one person lacks motivation on stage and every single piece has their own unique flare/meaning to it,” said Chloe. “Everyone has a strong work ethic and their skills are shown in an excellent way throughout the course of our show.”

Ethan agreed: “I am excited for the audience to see our dedication and love for each other and our craft.”

The showcase has also provided the seniors a chance to reflect on what the Theatre program has meant to them over their time at Dean. For Sara, Chloe and Ethan, the best part has been the community they’ve built together.

“My favorite part has truly been performing with great friends and fellow theatre lovers who have the same passion for theatre as I do,” said Ethan.

“I love how all of the theater department comes together and creates a show to remember,” added Chloe. “Rehearsals are long, but rewarding in the end, because when you're working your tails off for two months, when you get to your performance, there is nothing like having that feeling you've accomplished something amazing. You're inviting the audience into a world that you and your castmates created into something super special. Every show is unique and has so much purpose to it, and everyone makes it count.”

“My favorite part of participating in Theatre at Dean has been working with all these talented people,” said Sara. “Truly every person in this class is so fantastic and I feel very lucky to be able to work with all these lovely people one last time.”

The ¶¶ÒõÆƽâ°æ Senior Theatre Showcase will take place in the Main Stage in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center at ¶¶ÒõÆƽâ°æ, 109 West Central Street, Franklin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To purchase tickets, visit the ¶¶ÒõÆƽâ°æ Box Office.