Salvador Rubio ’24

A student of the Playwriting and Screenwriting major, Salvador was drawn to Purchase for the emphasis that the program put on writing more deeply than he had been able to in the film production programs he was initially drawn to. Outside of his focus on writing, Salvador felt that the Purchase curriculum allowed him to explore other interests as well. In his own words,

“Outside of {writing}, I was very interested in becoming fluent in Spanish. I’m Mexican and I was seeing a very cool combination of both my major and my minor. I saw there were a few classes about like, Spanish theatre and Mexican- American theatre and I felt like that really inspired me to be like ok here is a school where I can sort of combine both things in a way that I didn’t think was possible.”

Initially drawn in by the curriculum, Salvador shared that it was the teachers and fellow students that have really made his experience what it is here at the college. The collaborative nature and feedback provided in the program has been a supportive community with a commitment to building out a story. In reminiscing on his television writing class, Salvador shared,

“Every time I would show my pages you know, all my classmates would sort of argue and debate about what notes I should take and what I should do but there was a very lively and engaged conversation with my work… We’re all here to try and help each other out and try and tell the best stories that we can tell. I think it is important to take time out of my day to help my classmates and work with them and build out things with them as well.”

When asked for notable faculty members, he shared that it was a very difficult choice, as so many had made an impact on his journey as a writer. Salvador highlighted Peggy Stafford, Mariana Carreño King and JD Zeik as being particularly influential for their support inside and outside of the classroom and devotion to helping their students “dig deeper and explore more” in developing tools to help their writing evolve to the next level.

He also shared the benefits of being able to venture to NYC with theatre going classes alongside classmates and faculty.

“I think being able to witness theatre with them feels really special and feels different and you know it sort of builds into what we talked about in class and it gives me ideas for my own writing. I’m always very appreciative of whenever I get invited out- I almost always say yes!”

Works in Progress

Salvador has two major projects in development to keep on a must-see radar. His senior project, titled Letters from Tocayo, is a play that he hopes to have staged in Manhattan this spring.

“It’s basically about a family dealing with the real life mourning and grief and messiness that comes from taking care of someone that has early on-set dementia and it’s just a play that sort of grapples with middle life and middle age life- very much so inspired by my family.”

Outside of class, Salvador has been working on a short film as a co-producer of A Hurt Like Mine. After applying for grants and workshopping for the better part of 3 years, he will be returning to Los Angeles this fall to start production this Labor Day weekend. The film is slated to premiere at one of the big festivals in 2024.

Life After Graduation

As a ‘non-traditional’, transfer, commuter student Salvador feels that his legacy is proof that it is never too late to pursue your passions and to take advantage of everything offered to you.

“You are paying to have the experience that you want to have and that can look however you want it to look like. I think part of my legacy is that it’s never too late to go to school and there is nothing wrong with pursuing your dreams- or your dreams changing and following through with that no matter how old you are or how much school you’ve gone through.”

*Quotes edited for grammar and clarity.