From top to bottom: Jessica Barraclough, Cristina Casais, Garvey X. Dobbins, Ben Maderi, Miranda Newman
Jessica Barraclough is a Freshman at Mason and is from Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. She is a B.F.A. in Theater Major with a concentration in Musical Theater. Jessica's post graduation dream is to work as an actress and eventually perform on a Broadway stage! She is incredibly thankful for the support from the Friends of Theater for helping her to pursue an education in the field of her dreams.
My name is Cristina Casais and I am from Bayonne, New Jersey. I am currently a second semester freshman earning a degree in the Bachelor of Fine Arts for Theater with a concentration in Musical Theater. My primary interest in Theater lies in performance with a passion for Theater Education as well. Post-graduation I hope to go to Graduate School to attain a Master’s in Theater Education. Afterwards, I hope to perform for professional theaters and to teach theater to the next generation. This scholarship is helping immensely with my education as I am an out-of-state student. Theater has always been a major point in my life ever since my first musical at the age of eight. I would like to thank everyone at the Friends of Theater for making it possible for me to work towards my goals.
My name is Garvey X. Dobbins. I am a sophomore, class of 2020, double majoring in theater/ communication with a concentration in performance/ media productions and criticism. I am from Richmond,Va and theater has been a part of my life since the young age of 6. At that age and to this day, performing has been my calling. I am first and foremost an actor of the stage. My journey at George Mason is helping me define what that means as it relates to what I will pursuing after college. My post grad goal is to begin performing on cruise lines, build my way into regional theaters, and then debut on Broadway. However, I am not opposed to the idea of being on the silver screen. Ultimately, I’ll take work wherever I can get it. I am beyond grateful for the generous $2500 scholarship awarded to me by the Friends of Theater. I pay for my education out of my pocket, meaning the job I work constantly keeps me from performing. This is harmful because my future career is built from experience, but your support has allowed me to continue to perform. I couldn’t be more thankful.
I'm Ben Maderi originally from Sykesville, a small town in Maryland about a half hour outside of Baltimore. I am currently in my Junior year, pursuing a B.A. in Theatre with a Concentration in Theater Education and a B.F.A. in Creative Writing.
While I take pride in being a wearer of many hats when it comes to theater, I have always most enjoyed myself when acting. I plan to start teaching after I graduate from Mason, hopefully at the high school level, teaching Theater and English. I hope also to keep up my theatrical pursuits outside of teaching in community and regional theaters wherever I end up.
By taking off some of the economic burden of tuition, the Friends of Theater have allowed me to be slightly more adventurous in my theatrical pursuits. I am able to take on challenges and productions which I would otherwise be forced to pass up. I have the means and leeway to expand myself theatrically and grow in new and interesting ways.
I am Miranda Newman from Northern Virginia. This my third year at Mason. I am a Theater Major with a Concentration in Performance and, very recently, a minor in Dance Appreciation.
My primary theater interest? I am primarily a performer, although I am looking forward to expanding my theatrical pursuits towards the realm of directing.
My post graduation dreams are to change the world! One of my goals this year is to climb a mountain!
This scholarship helped me come back to Mason this semester. Thank you again for this opportunity! This scholarship really means the world to me and my family.