About Us

First Year Players (FYP) is a student-run musical theatre organization at Syracuse University. FYP gives non-drama major, first-year and transfer students the opportunity to perform in an annual spring musical and gives production experience to undergraduate members. FYP exists to create an environment that fosters personal and professional growth of SU students.

FYP offers a whole package to its members, including workshops, community service events, performance opportunities, production experience and networking with other student organizations. Past shows include: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "Urinetown," "Fame," "West Side Story," "Anything Goes," "Follies," and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

Members of FYP share an interest in theatrical performance or production. Though only non-drama major, first-years and transfers may audition for the annual musical, students on our staff and e-board represent many majors and undergraduate class standings. Our staff and cast take pride in a professionalism and a camaraderie among its members.

Our Staff

FYP's staff of entirely students consists of an eleven-person executive board and eight goal-oriented "teams." The 2011-2012 staff lineup is as follows:

EXEC BOARD
Co-Producer: Alex Rogers
Co-Producer: Andrea Stopa
Co-Assistant Producer: Greg Boilard
Co-Assistant Producer: Elizabeth Brydges
Stage Manager: Hanna Schurman
Finance Director: Alison Kurtzman
Art Director: Nick Garritano
PR Director: Rodney Fleming
Music Director: Rachel Dentinger
Choreographer: Dominic Giambra
Director: Nick Deyo

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION TEAM
Community Service Head: Allie Gendreau
Community Service Team: Kristin Ross, Rachel Dender & Anthony Wright
Social Events Head: Bryce Garcia
Social Events Team: Jon Corton, Dominique Forbes & John Denton

STAGE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Assistant Stage Managers: Gabi Levinson & Casey Kulik
Props Managers: Emma Smelkinson & MacKenzie Maloney
House Manager: Sami Kay
Production and Technical Coordinator: Dimitri Rodriguez

FINANCE TEAM
Assistant Finance Director: Andrew Brydges
Fundraising: Abigail Sherburne & PJ Alampi
Budget Coordinator: Garrett Lee

ART TEAM
Art Assistants: Stephanie Sands & Christine Lane
Set Designer: Doug Moskowitz
Character Aesthetic Director: Shannon Gatley
Character Aesthetic Team
Anna Lilikas, Yulia Gorman & Rachel Signy
Construction Director: Cole Tucker
Construction Team: James Dollbaum, Josh Hizuinga, Ghur Ghulam, Jake Mainville & Michelle McMullen

PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM
Assistant PR Director: Matt Robin
Head of Graphics: Eric Adamus
Media Relations: Rachel Marks & Russell Oliver
Historian Team: Shay Frey & Kaitlyn Kowalski
Outreach: Erica Fischer
Alumni Relations: Leo Wong
On campus Relations: Brianna Lecce
Off Campus Relations: Eilish MItchell

MUSIC TEAM
Music Assistant: Meghan Flaim
Vocal Coach: Maria Dell'Anno
Pit Manager: Daniel Sclafani
Pit Conductor: John Hylkema
Accompanist: Dylan Hsu

CHOREOGRAPHY TEAM
Assistant Choreographers: Ann Beyersdorfer & Allie Villa

DIRECTING TEAM
Assistant Directors: Kevin Slack & Erin Scialabba Dramaturg: Sydnee Corridors

History

The Syracuse University branch of FYP, was started by Ed Golden, who was vice president for student affairs at Syracuse University, in 1992. Before arriving at Syracuse, Golden founded FYP at the University of Virginia, in 1981. Golden encouraged non-drama major students to create their own spotlight by forming the student-run organization that is now FYP.