Angela Santillo's new play, Sera, a haunting and satirical play about Pompeii on the eve of Vesuvius's eruption, premiered at Saint Mary's in the Spring of 2010. About Sera, Angela, who graduated from the college with a double major in Theatre and English in 2005, says she finds dark humor and urgency in the story of Pompeii. "What drew me to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius," she explains, "was that even though Pompeiians didn't know it was a volcano, there had been warning signs. Politically, socially, and environmentally, we live in a time where everything is on the verge--but what is our imminent 'Big One?'" Sera received the David Mark Cohen Award for a New Play at the 2011 KCACTF Region VII competition. Other performances of Angela's work include the premiere of Middlecrest at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York in October, and a reading of her play, Spark, by Sarah Lawrence College's graduate-operated theater company. Spark, "a play about love, sex, and arrows," was produced this February by The Nightborn company in New York City. For a behind-the-scenes view of Spark, click here. More information about Angela and her work can be found here.

Lindsey Saravia, class of 2009, has been accepted to the Ailey American Dance Theater Independent Study Program. Information about the Ailey American Dance Theater can be found at http://www.alvinailey.org/.

Mary Eileen Young, class of 2009, is currently participating in the Professional Intern program at A Noise Within, a classical theatre in Glendale, California. During the first half the 2009/2010 season, she can be seen in the chorus of “Richard III” playing Mistress Shore, as well as doing technical work on “Noises Off.” In addition to rehearsals and technical responsibilities, interns with A Noise Within take over 120 hours of classes in Acting and Speaking Shakespeare, Classical Theatre, Modern Classics, and a workshop focusing on Arts Education. Classes in the program are taught by professional actors and the Artistic Directors of A Noise Within. More information about A Noise Within can be found at www.anoisewithin.org.