Meet The Cast: Part 1

Joshua McMaster

Computer art and animation major

from Plymouth Meeting, PA.

Role in Show: Cousin It & Ensemble

What's your favorite restaurant on Marshall street? | Faegans—I ate there the first time I visited!

What's your favorite role you've ever played in a show? | Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls. I had the best comedic partner in my friend playing Nicely-Nicely Johnson, and we had the best chemistry going the whole time. The role itself was just ridiculously fun.

If you could trade places with one famous person, who would it be and why? | I would trade places with John Lasseter, obviously, because he gets to work on some of the best animated films being made today.

What non-FYP event are you most looking forward to this semester? | I'm looking forward to performing with the Hendricks Chapel Choir in our March concert and on Easter Sunday. I love singing in the choir--it's a blessing to make music with the most talented and dedicated choir I've ever been a part of.

Megan Wilcox 

Undecided major

from Berlin, Connecticut

Role in Show: Ensemble

What's your favorite role you've ever played in a show? | I played Maisie in The Boyfriend. It's a really old show but the part was hilarious and super fun to play.

If you could trade places with one famous person, who would it be and why? | I would trade places with Helena Bonham Carter because she gets to play fantastic roles in everything and she's Bellatrix from Harry Potter so duh!

What are you most looking forward to in your time with FYP? | I am already enjoying but will continue to look forward to all the wonderful memories and friends I will make throughout FYP.

What non-FYP event are you most looking forward to this semester? | I hope I can do Otto-Thon because I like dancing and raising money and hopefully I can do it with all my friends!

Caroline Friedman

Television, radio, and film major

from New Jersey

Role in Show: Wednesday Addams

What's your favorite restaurant on Marshall street? | Chipotle

What's your favorite role you've ever played in a show? | Nina in In the Heights

If you could trade places with one famous person, who would it be and why? | I would trade places with Emma Watson because she got to be in Harry potter and she works for the U.N.

What are you most looking forward to in your time with FYP? | I'm most looking forward to putting on an amazing show and then getting to be a part of the staff for the next three years!

Margaret Hoeschele

Vocal performance major

from Cortland, NY

Role in Show: Ensemble

What's your favorite restaurant on Marshall street? | I'm a big fan of Pita Pit but Starbucks is always a good option.

What's your favorite role you've ever played in a show? | My favorite role I've played was that of Nina in In the Heights who I felt I was really able to relate to, and whose character I was most able to understand and convey to an audience!

If you could trade places with one famous person, who would it be and why? | If I could trade places with any celebrity/famous person it would be Emma Watson who is not only extremely talented and beautiful, but is also an extremely eloquent speaker who's taking a stand on many social issues.

What are you most looking forward to in your time with FYP? | I'm most excited to spend boat loads of time with the most wonderful, loving, and fun group of people I've ever met!

What non-FYP event are you most looking forward to this semester? | I'm most excited to go on tour with University Singers to France at the end of the semester. It's going to be an amazing experience and I can't wait to stuff my face with French food surrounded by some of my closest friends!

Andres Laguna Martino 

Communication & rhetorical studies major

from Panama City, Panama

Role in Show: Lurch

What's your favorite restaurant on Marshall street? | Starbucks.

What's your favorite role you've ever played in a show? | Definitely, Scar, in our school’s production of The Lion King.

If you could trade places with one famous person, who would it be and why? | I would trade places with Pope Francis. He has a revolutionary yet realist perspective, and I really like those traits.

What are you most looking forward to in your time with FYP? | Looking forward to portray the iconic Lurch, make enduring friendships, and enjoy my passion for theatre.

What non-FYP event are you most looking forward to this semester? | The Student Association meetings to keep my political side going! Also, I've also developed a huge love for music since I got here. Next semester, I'm auditioning for one of the a cappella groups on campus!

Danielle Cooper 

Television, radio, and film major

from Rumson, NJ

Role in Show: Grandma Addams

What's your favorite restaurant on Marshall street? | Chipotle, but also all of them

What’s your favorite role you’ve ever played in a show? | I played a tomboy in an original feminist show that a theater company I'm a part of wrote and her name was Janice and she was the BEST. Also I played a character named Anna in another original show and she was the coolest person ever and I kind of wanted to be her in real life.

If you could trade places with one famous person, who would it be and why? | Mia Swier (who isn't that famous but she's dating Darren Criss and I plan on marrying him eventually so I might as well see what my future will be like)

What are you most looking forward to in your time with FYP? | THE SHOWWWW and also being on staff

What non-FYP event on campus are you most looking forward to this semester? | Ottothon because I've always wanted to do a dance marathon

Will Smart

Film major

from Naples, NY

Role in Show: Lucas

What’s your favorite restaurant on Marshall street? | Pita Pit or Chipotle

What’s your favorite role you’ve ever played in a show? | Rocky in Damn Yankees

If you could trade places with one famous person, who would it be and why?| Leonardo Dicaprio because he gets 20 models to go on a yacht with him. He’s also on the board of directors for the World Wildlife Foundation. Also, pretty cool.

What are you most looking forward to in your time with FYP? | Getting to know new people and hearing new stories.

What non-FYP event on campus are you most looking forward to this semester? | Mayfest; heard it’s pretty insane and a great time.

Gabrielle Hughes 

Broadcast and digital journalism major

from Galloway, NJ

Role in Show: Morticia

What’s your favorite restaurant on Marshall street? | The Chinese place! Panda West.

What’s your favorite role you’ve ever played in a show? | Georgia Hendricks in Curtains

If you could trade places with one famous person, who would it be and why? | Sophia Loren. Have you seen her? She is like 80 and SO FIERCE. Or Fergie. Or Blake Lively. They know what they're doing.

What are you most looking forward to in your time with FYP? | Every. Single. MOMENT. I don't want it to end. FYPhorever!

What non-FYP event on campus are you most looking forward to this semester? | Her Campus Magazine! I am the editor and this semester is gonna be bangin. Check out Her Campus online!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Most people would deem December during the holiday season "the most wonderful time of the year." But for a member of FYP, that adage applies a little bit later. Instead of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, we get excited by freshmen and first-years rehearsing monologues and running through vocal warmups.

That's right; our favorite season is upon us! Auditions for this year's production of The Addams Family are taking place this Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, with callbacks to follow next Tuesday. If you're interested in being a part of this year's production, there are still slots available over the weekend—come out to our auditions or interviews! Our production of The Addams Family will hit the stage this April 10th, 11th, and 12th; tickets available now!

WORDS OF WISDOM

to nail your audition, from 2014-2015's creative heads.

SINGING

"In a music audition, I'm looking for preparedness, a song that shows off their vocal range, a positive attitude, and personality!" says Bridget McGlone, this year's music director.

DANCING

"Dance auditions are 25 percent nailing the moves and 75 percent acting it out. Someone could not do any of the moves correctly but have a great time with it and really give 100 into the character and they would leave me with an amazing impression of them," says Jaylyn Noble, choreographer for The Addam's Family. "They should just come and have a great time! That's the most important thing."

ACTING

"The key to a successful performance is just being confident and trusting yourself. We care less about if you mess up the words, but care more about the execution or just how comfortable you feel about yourself," says Mike Liebenson, this year's director. "Be prepared, that's it. There's no reason to be nervous if you're prepared. If you come in confident, ready, we will be right there with you."

Giving Thanks

Tis the season to give thanks. Although FYP members won't be gathered around a dinner table to feast on turkey and stuffing together this Thanksgiving, we still recognize how much we have to be thankful for as a result of being members of First Year Players at Syracuse University. Aside from the opportunities that FYP provides, being a part of this organization means automatic acceptance and love from hundreds of students on this campus.

Some Renters at Show Reveal

"I'm thankful for FYP because it has allowed me to maintain my theater interest throughout college, while giving me roommates and best friends," says Will McDonald, a Drowsy Chaperone cast member. FYP members often end up living together in the later years of college because they've created such a strong connection with one another.

Regardless of how long each of us has been a part of this org, the gratitude for FYP abounds. How could it not? From organized events to just hanging out to watch a movie, there's always something to do you when you're in FYP. We consider ourselves more than lucky to have this organization in our lives. "FYP provided me with friends and memories I will have for a lifetime, and I could not be more thankful!" says Kelly Egan, a stage crew member of Rent.

"I'm thankful for FYP because it has given me a place to call home on this enormous campus since freshman year," Wedding Singer cast member Lauren Green says. "So much has changed since then, but the love and kindness from every single person in this organization has not—and for that, I am forever grateful." Green provides her answer from a flat in London, where she lives with three other FYP members for a semester abroad.

Drew Muller & Sam McAllister, '14-'15 Producers

"FYP provides a space for me to be myself and be surrounded by people I love and respect," says Andrew Martini, a Rent cast member. "No matter what mood I find myself in, I know there's someone in FYP who can cheer me up." One of the biggest perks of FYP: you can always find someone with a smile plastered on his or her face for us when you need it! And no matter what walk of life you're coming from, First Year Players provides a safe space for you to be yourself.

"FYP has shaped my college experience," adds Sam McAllister, a cast member of The Drowsy Chaperone. "The people within this org inspire me to be better every single day. There are so many diverse talents of people within this org, and it continues to amaze me."

Finding Your Place

F e e d  Y o u r  P r o g r e s s 
F u e l  Y o u r  P a s s i o n
F i n d  Y o u r  P l a c e  

This is First Year Players' mantra, and it comprises what we as an organization hope to help our members accomplish year after year. From bonding events to performances to the show itself, these phrases are instilled in the very nature of what FYP is. Last Thursday we held the "Find Your Place Cabaret," for instance, where FYP members and those from outside organizations performed. Even within events like Adopt-A-Street and the staff retreat, we look to embody the goal of this organization—that is, Finding Your Place.

We turned to nine staff members to get a little more insight as to what the term "Find Your Place" means to them, and how it relates to their experiences in First Year Players. Quotes include the speakers' names, positions on staff, and what show they were originally a part of.

Staff at Adopt-A-Street

"To me, Find Your Place means being in an organization full of 90+ people and still being able to talk to them all like they are my family and to have a personal connection with each and every one of them."

-Jaylyn Noble

Choreographer '14-'15

The Drowsy Chaperone '12

"Find Your Place means always feeling comfortable in your own skin whenever you're around the people who mean most to you. In FYP you can always find your place no matter who you are, because we're all a fun-loving group of people who are able to pick you up when you've fallen down."

-Gabby Dizon

Social Chair '14-'15

Rent '14

"Find Your Place is a phrase that I believe every new student at any university is faced with in some way.  College can be an exciting and new adventure for many, and I think one of the most important things outside of academics is finding that place on campus you can call home.  As a member of FYP for two years now, I can see the ways in which this organization gears so much of what it does in order to tailor the freshman experience.  Last year I had the opportunity to mentor an incoming cast member, and I could see firsthand the impact that was made on all the cast members, from the first rehearsal to closing night.  Being a part of FYP is that home away from home.  It is a place where friendships and relationships are formed for not just the few years while at Syracuse University, but the many years to come after."

-Mike Landivar

Set Construction Team '14-'15

The Wedding Singer '13

Nalae White & Gabby Dizon at the staff retreat

"Find Your Place is having somewhere to go to, or a group of people to go to, where you feel safe and you feel like you can be yourself, and you're just at your happiest. Theatre in general attracts the best people, because people who love to perform love to do things for others, and are open people and love to share a positive experience with as many people as possible. FYP is like that because everyone's included. It's a large group of people where everyone's different, but everyone appreciates each other, and no matter what, everyone is accepted. And that's hard to find." 

-Jesse Roth

Campus Outreach '14-'15

The Drowsy Chaperone '12

"To Find Your Place is to leave your comfort zone and never look back. It's acting on some of your greatest fears, meeting people who may share some of those fears, and then deciding to conquer them together. It's a work in progress towards realizing, molding, and accepting who 'me' is while having the undoubted support of the foundation of 'we.'"

-Carina Clores

Community Events Team '14-'15

Rent '14

"I was involved with other organizations before FYP, but none of them ever made the campus seem small enough to fully connect with. FYP reaches a really diverse group of people and brings them together into a family that has not previously existed in the SU community. It's cliche at this point, but you really do Find Your Place with us. We're a grossly proud and passionate and loud organization that never leaves the honeymoon stage of our love. Can you blame us for wanting to shout it from the rooftops?!"

-Bailey Pfohl

 Acting Coach '14-'15
The Drowsy Chaperone '12

Bailey Pfohl & Bridget McGlone at the staff retreat

"For me, Find Your Place means finding a space where you feel completely comfortable and safe, surrounded by people who accept you for you. That is what FYP is: we are a group of diverse students who support each other no matter what—with the added benefit being that we get to do what we love with people we love."

-Kate Poland

Community Outreach '14-'15

The Wedding Singer '13

"Find Your Place means realizing who you are, discovering who you want to be and figuring out how to get there. In FYP, we give first year students the opportunity to find their place, and through them and through FYP, we find our own place in the organization and on campus."

-Chip Weber

Social Events Team '14-'15

Rent '14

"Find Your Place means finding a group of people with whom you feel 100% comfortable. There is never any judgment or ridicule. These people just accept you and your flaws. They help celebrate with you when you are at a high point in your life and help lift you up when you are at a low point. First Year Players has offered that to me. I can go into a room or see someone on the street and I know I will get a warm smile. This is an organization of people who all genuinely care about the wellbeing of every member. We are each other’s family."

-Mackenzie Maloney

Stage Manager '14-'15

The Drowsy Chaperone '12

Staff at the 2014 retreat