Charlie Dennis '13

Charlie is currently studying at New York University, where he is in his third year in the Playwrights Horizons Studio at the Tisch School for the Arts. He is pursuing a BFA in Theater with a Concentration in Directing, and minoring both in Film and the Business of Entertainment, Media, & Technology. Charlie says, “I recently had my directorial debut at NYU the weekend before Thanksgiving. I directed a production of the play “Springtime” by Maria Irene Fornes. I am going to spend the Spring semester abroad in Prague at the FAMU film academy, which teaches how to make short films on 35mm film print. I will be there from late January until May.”

Charlie is also working on bringing some talented alumni back to St. Andrew’s campus as a part of his proposed SAS Alumni Festival this summer. He says, “The festival will take place between June 22-26, 2016, and will serve as a creative outlet where alumni can showcase or workshop creative projects in a supportive setting using St. Andrew’s state-of-the-art facilities. Thinking as a producer, I realized that I not only wanted to direct a show but wanted to propose a program for the school that would allow other alumni (not just in the theater arts) the same opportunity that I was being afforded.” Charlie plans to direct the play “Museum” as a part of the Alumni Festival this summer.

Charlie credits St. Andrew’s for jumpstarting his creative pursuits by giving him a safe space to take risks, “St. Andrew's fostered a community in which I started to feel comfortable taking risks. [Upper School Theatre teacher] Rick Garcia allowed me to direct a show my senior year when I had absolutely no experience in that field. That was my first time directing anything, and now I'm trying to become a professional director. I am grateful that Rick allowed me to take a risk at a time when I needed to.”

His advice for his fellow St. Andrew’s students: “Don't wait around for anyone to bring you the future you want to have. Don't be afraid to ask a professional you admire out for coffee. More often than not it will work out in your favor.”

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