WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Round Two: CATCHING UP WITH Sophia & Ashley

This summer, our interns caught up with some of CYS’s talented, inspiring alumni to see what they are up to today! In this post, you’ll hear from Sophia and Ashley, both living and working in NYC!

Sophia
​Alumna of: As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Currently at: Pace University, Class of 2020
Studying: BA in Acting with a double minor in Arts/Entertainment Management and Art History 

Ashley 
​Alumna of: Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Currently: Living and working in NYC
Studied at: The American Musical and Dramatic Academy/AMDA, Class of 2017, Associate's Degree in Musical Theatre

Q.  What field are you in/planning to go into? Why did you choose this path?

Sophia: I am currently living in NYC and plan to stay there upon graduation. My desired industries are theatre production and outreach. The ultimate dream is to have my own theatre company centered around new works and adaptations.

Ashley: I am a part of the Theatre Field...Entertainment Industry...I'm not really quite sure what to call it, but I'm out here in New York City trying my best to be an actress. This "path", more like winding road, chose me. I've always loved being a storyteller of sorts and the more I learn about this craft the more excited I am and the harder I work to get better at it.

Q.  What did you take from your time with CYS that has helped you in your work? 

Sophia: I took away confidence in my own abilities. The moments where I took the reigns and created my own works are some of my most proud accomplishments. I relish the dirty work of creating a complete character, story, or performance. Shakespeare has holes that need to be filled. The stuff is timeless, yes, but 400+ years old! There are jokes and references we don't get as an audience. As an actor/director/producer of a Shakespeare piece, you have to be ready to think creatively. That takes trust in yourself, which I got from CYS.

Ashley: Every time I worked with CYS I got better about taking risks. Once, during a viewpoints exercise, a moment was dubbed "Ashley on the Edge" and that small moment has stuck with me. Also, Manon's catchphrase rings in my head right before I'm about to go on stage. CYS told me I had a safety net to take risks and then constantly asked me to fall off the rope; which I appreciate to this day.

Q.  What was the most important thing to you in your CYS experience?

Sophia: I remember vividly when we were touring Romeo and Juliet and we went to a high school and during our talk back, a teacher raised her hand. She then thanked the cast and me specifically for doing something she never could. She had been teaching Romeo and Juliet for years and always had difficulty explaining Mercutio's "Queen Mab" speech. She said that after seeing me perform the speech, she finally felt like she herself understood it. In that moment I saw firsthand the transformative power of theatre. These moments of understanding create empathy, catharsis, and a direct connection. I have never seen any other form of art or expression touch people so immediately and intensely. It was in this moment that I saw all the things theatre could teach.

Ashley: The community I gained from CYS is truly one of the most important things I got from the two productions I was a part of. I didn't really have any "close friends" in school, but CYS changed that. I was in shows at my school but was kind of ostracized from that community. Suddenly I had a cast of people who cared about what I had to say and what was going on in my life. I had real friends, some of which I still keep in touch with to this day. However, if any of my CYS cast-mates ever reached out for any reason I would 100% drop what I was doing to answer.

Q. What would you want current CYS students to know now that you did not?

Sophia: Listen to everything Manon says. Just kidding! No, but in all honesty, she usually is right... I would say that you are learning more than you think you are. Soak it up. Since growing out of CYS I have had the privilege of working with various groups, ensembles, and artists and I always find myself going back to the lessons I learned at CYS. You want to give more than you take. Always be listening. Jump in and be weird. Lead with your gut instinct. These are just a few of the lessons I took from CYS. Oh and, most importantly, learn your [gosh-darn] lines!

Ashley: Be kind to everyone. You don't need to like them or want to be their best friend, but treat them with respect and kindness and you'll make long-lasting business relationships. Also! If something interests you, like directing or producing, or drag, don't be afraid to explore and see what other opportunities await you in the world. I've produced cabarets, I'm developing a drag character, and have costume designed a couple of productions in New York. You never know what skills you'll need for that future role.