The Silent Observer

Director’s Note: In the Spring of 2020 was the start of the pandemic and as an artist it was hard to see the light. I was going through doubts of why I wanted to be a director because everything around me was going wrong. Until I listen to a song from my childhood, Alegria. I grew up with two parents who did mime for a living. They struggled to feed my sister and I but they persevered because they loved it. They taught me regardless of hardship to always follow what you love to do. I remembered being that little girl in the classes that they taught and feeling so inspired because my parents weren’t like the other kids’ parents.

I wanted to continue their legacy and tell this story of love, compassion and drive as an artist. I want my audience while watching this to feel the love and drive it is to be a POC artist. I want people to understand the importance of stories being told and not forgotten.

This is for all the POC actors, designers, directors, dancers and artists who were once told they couldn’t do it but did it anyway. To the older generation their chance was taken away but we continued and told their stories so it can live on forever. Here is to you!

Sam Espino is a Theater and Performance major with a minor in Legal Studies. This role is Sam’s senior project and first performance at SUNY Purchase. Sam is an immigrant from Peru and is really proud and excited to help tell the story of real people from Puerto Rico. Gracias Mamá y Gianpierre por siempre ayudarme y apoyarme. Thank you to the friends that always uplifted me and the professors that supported me. Much love to the cast and crew for creating such a fun and safe environment.

My name is Mauricio Gonzalez. I am a junior here at Suny Purchase, in the Theater and Performance major. I go by he/him/his pronouns. I’ve been doing theater since my sophomore year in high school, and was involved in the senior project “A Crumbled House”. I’m very excited for everyone to see this production, especially those here at Purchase of Latinx descent and background.

Hello my name is Anya Febus-Fernandez. I am a Theatre & Performance Major with a minor in psychology. My pronouns are she/they. In college I was in Purgatorio Wonderland, and We All Fall Down. High school honorable mention: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Little Mermaid. I’d like to give a special thanks to the people in my life who inspire me to be the best version of myself that I can be!

Kenzo G. James is an Afro-Latinx, queer writer, actress, and cultural worker hailing from Queens, NY. Given their passion for social justice, rooted in their drive to push forward meaningful social change, they have an affinity for projects that are able to center the humanity of marginalized groups in a way that is equally organic, inspiring and thought-provoking. As they grow in their craft and understanding of themselves and the world constantly evolving around them, they hope to be a beacon of light in these hard times that inspires others to express themselves through the arts.

Solangel Galindo is a current sophomore with a THP major at Purchase College. She is a proud member of the Chicano Community. Born and raised in Washington Heights but now resides in the Bronx. She is a passionate actor who aims to represent the underrepresented faces of her culture.

Daniel Pierre
Major: Theatre and Performance P
Pronouns: He/Him
Interesting Fact: I can read Japanese

Kaira Rivera is a fourth year, double-major of playwriting/screenwriting and theater and performance and a minor of sociology, from Manhattan, New York. Purchase credits include: We All Fall Down (Frieda) as well as A Walrus In The Body Of A Crocodile (Carrie Bradshaw). Other credits include: Machinal (Young Woman), Twelfth Night (Olivia), Sweat (Cynthia), and The Wrestling Season (Heather). Many thanks to my family for their unconditional support, friends I made along the way, and definitely the rest of this amazing cast and crew!

Karissa Leonardo is a Junior Theater and Performance major with a concentration in Performance Practice. She is thrilled to be a part of The Silent Observer and can’t wait to share this art form! Her credits include but are not limited to: Vanessa from In the Heights, Diana Morales from A Chorus Line, Gayle/Phil from Almost,Maine, and Atabey from the Senior Project Zemi that went up last spring. She wants to send her love and thanks to her family and friends that continue to support her dreams

Tulia Marshall is a dancer and choreographer from New Paltz, New York and received her education from Laguardia Highschool, Manhattan Youth Ballet, and the Hubbard Street Professional Program. Tulia is a third year student at SUNY Purchase with a double major in Dance (concentration in choreography) and Arts Management. Tulia is Junior Creative Director at JuiceCG and is a Marketing Coordinator with Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance. Purchase Credits: Pirandello Party (Choreographer/Assistant director). Tulia is thrilled to have been a part of this process and wants to thank her friends, family, cast and crew for their endless support!

Chelsea Muller (she/her) is thrilled to be fulfilling the role of Assistant Director. She is a third year Theater and Performance and Psychology double major. Some of her past credits include The Admirable Crichton (2018), Things My Mother Taught Me (2019), The Last Five Years (2021), and Frame(D) (2021). She would like to thank the cast and creative team for being absolutely wonderful to work with.

Hello, my name is Molly Mead. I am fulfilling the role of Stage Manager. I grew up in Connecticut, but was constantly traveling to New York City to see Broadway shows. That is where my love for theater sparked. I am currently a Sophomore at Purchase College and I am majoring in Theater and Performance. I have been participating in the theater since I was in the seventh grade and I don’t plan to stop. I am excited for everyone to see the shows I work on now and in the future.

Dwayne “Dj” Fralin is a fourth year lighting designer from Washington, DC. Purchase credits include: A Walrus In the Body of a Crocodile, Misanthrope and A Colored Museum. Other credits include As The Sun Sets with Dow Dance Company. Many thanks to his family and everyone else who supports him!

Lily Oyen (she/her) is a sophomore studio production major. She previously participated in her middle and high schools drama club but this is the first show she’s ever sound designed for and she hopes to continue with it!

Leandra Torres is a Director from Bronx, New York and has received her education from Repertory Company High School for Theater Arts. She is currently in her last semester studying Theater and Performance major concentration in Directing and a minor in Film. Leandra’s Purchase credits include: The Pirandello Party (AD), Purgatorio wonderland (AD), No Child (Director). Leandra would like to give a huge thank you to her cast and crew as well as her amazing support system. She wouldn’t be where she is without them!

In our teaching and art, the Conservatory values inclusiveness, equality, and excellence. Upholding all of our training is our aim to train and graduate citizen artists: multifaceted people with a strong sense of purpose in approaching an arts education.

What is a citizen artist? Citizen artists seek to discover how their unique voices can contribute to our world. They understand what it means to be an artist, and what they are here on earth to say and do and make.

The Conservatory trains future citizen artists in three degree programs:

+ BFA Actor Training. The BFA is an intensive professional training program offered to a highly select and diverse group of students. The professional training is anchored in four years of study in acting, voice, speech, and movement, complemented by offerings in dramatic literature and analysis, history of the theatre, stage combat, improvisation, mask work, acting for the camera, and the business of acting. As one of five schools in the Consortium of Professional Theatre Training Programs, Purchase is one of a handful of colleges in the world capable of training artists at this level—and of drawing a faculty from the ranks of professional theatre.

+ BFA in Theatre Design/Technology. Emphasizing studio and classroom training, our professional training program in theatre design/technology gives students the guidance and support of established and theatre industry professionals. Many of our alumni are recognized at the top of their field, and have received Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk Awards, among other honors. Quite literally, Purchase grads are working in or have worked in every theatre on Broadway, in all tristate venues, and with countless touring productions.

+ BA program in Theatre and Performance. From traditional theatre to cutting-edge interdisciplinary work, the theatre and performance major encourages creativity, intellectual curiosity, social engagement, and critical thinking. The core requirements combine scholarship and practice to provide students with a strong foundation in theatre history and dramatic literature, with mandatory stagecraft/production courses. Theatre and Performance majors are encouraged to expand the scope of their education by studying abroad, as well as pursuing coursework in other programs of study within the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Purchase College.