Elizabeth Acevedo

Beacon School Class of 2006
George Washington Class of 2010
MFA Candidate University of Maryland

At Beacon, I was lucky enough to be fully embraced for my performance poetry before moving on into plays that were different but utterly wonderful. Having to learn lines and staging helped me develop my own craft. 

Once On This Island was probably my favorite, because everything that could go wrong did and it was still a moving and gorgeous production. A tree emerged from the middle of the stage!

I enrolled at The George Washington University in DC and I created my own major- Special Interdisciplinary: Performing Arts. It was awesome because I combined all the things I wanted to learn: creative writing, performance studies, theatre, anthropology, dance and then created a one-woman show as my Honors Thesis.

My advice to Beacon students? Don't be afraid of trying non-traditional paths. It's ok to make things up. There is no right way or blueprint to be an artist. Do you.

Callison Stratton
Beacon Class of 2008
Skidmore Class of 2012
American Studies & Music

My most memorable artistic experience at Beacon was playing Mrs. Johnstone in BDAT's Blood Brothers, where I had to sing every other song in the book, and pretend to know how to dance.

I chose Skidmore because it felt like the college version of Beacon: full of free-thinking, multi-talented, laid-back individuals, people who care as much about their academic endeavors as they do their art.

Despite the geeky American Studies degree, I played music all through college: I sang with like-minded folk musicians, learned to play Classical Guitar, performed with the musical theater Cabaret Troupe, sang in Gospel Choir, and recorded an album of original music.

Advice for Beacon students- TRY EVERYTHING! If you try something and love it, then you may have found your new lifelong passion. If you try it and hate it, then you know yourself a little bit better.

I'm looking forward to the day when I tell Rolling Stone Magazine that I have a Masters Degree in Public History, and that is as important to me as my Grammys and Oscars. Big dreams? Well, I went to Beacon, didn't I?

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Razghiem Golden
Beacon Class of 2011
Carnegie Mellon 2015
International Relations & Politics 

I have so many memories from Beacon and B’DAT specifically it’s hard for me to choose. But during the last performance of Rent we were singing “I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” and something just clicked. Every single one of us were crying uncontrollably. I have rarely felt a more honest exchange of emotion between audience and performers. It’s a feeling that to this day I try to find in my work in theatre.

I chose Carnegie Mellon because whether I was majoring in theatre or not, there is a strong arts community. Theatre was such an integral part of my life in high school that it was impossible for me to just give it up. I’ve shifted my focus from acting to directing for the stage and I’m learning and I’m also experimenting with film.

If I could go back to high school, knowing what I know now, I would prepare more. Had I been more organized and I would've been ready for every situation that surprised me during college auditions.

But the single most important thing I believe that Beacon students should consider when  applying to school for performance or design is that while there is a time for evaluating what is “realistic” in your life and career- now isn’t that time. If you love the arts and you’re willing to work hard so that you can spend your life making art, it’s completely possible. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise, or you’ll spend what should be an awesome time exploring yourself as an artist- wondering “what if?”

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Lisa Reid
Beacon Class of 2008
SUNY Cortland Class of 2012
Musical Theatre

My most memorable experience as an artist at Beacon was playing Pennywise in Urinetown.

I fell in love with the theatre department at SUNY Cortland. Everyone was so close and that was different than any of the other places I auditioned. That’s drew me to SUNY Cortland the most.

My advice? Performing arts is a tough major, but don't let that scare you. You’re no longer a "normal" college student. So don't expect that you'll be able to hang out or party a whole lot. But it is also so rewarding knowing that you will be doing something you love every day which for me made my time at college so much fun! Going into performance or design is something that you won't regret. It was a blast for me!

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Gabrielle Weinstein
Beacon Class of 2012
NYU Tisch 2016
Production & Design

My most memorable experience was wheeling the pinball machine, with fireworks attached, onstage for the first time during Tommy. It was terrifying but also amazing to be a part of that moment.

I am enrolled in NYU Tisch Production and Design with a focus in Stage Management and Lighting Design. I love the fact that I have two focuses, which I feel is beneficial to a theatre professional.

My advice? Keep your options open and don't get set on one school. Every school has a great program that's different, just educate yourself on all of them. Trust that you really want to go to school for theatre. I'm in the studio three days a week from 9-6 and have rehearsal after that. Not everybody loves that lifestyle, but if you do then go after it!

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