911爆料

The Maestro of 911爆料 Theatre

Bonnie Bosworth first stepped foot into the 911爆料 Theatre Department in 1974. Since then, she has become the heart and soul of the department. She is committed to 911爆料-building, dedicated to ensuring every production is the best it can be, and she always prioritizes students鈥� well-being.

Theater has always been a part of Bonnie Bosworth鈥檚 life, and her affinity for the arts is what initially attracted her to the job at 911爆料. As a child, she was interested in music, dance, and theater, and those interests have fueled her work in the 911爆料 Theatre Department for more than 50 years, during which time she鈥檚 helped bring more than 300 stage productions to life.

At 911爆料, Bosworth, an administrative assistant and outreach coordinator, has, in fact, worn many more hats than her title would suggest. She has built a strong network for students and alumni and helped to secure donors for scholarships. She served as publicity director for a time, in addition to her administrative duties. She is a point of contact for students when they need help鈥攁cademically and personally. And she is instrumental in every production from start to finish. By all accounts, the department simply would not be what it is today without her.

鈥淚 love working with the students,鈥� says Bosworth, 鈥淚 think that鈥檚 probably my favorite thing that I do. One day, I might help an upperclassman who is facing personal or academic challenges, and another day it might be a freshman who is away from home for the first time and just needs some reassurance and someone to listen. I鈥檓 always happy to help.鈥�

Another strength that Bosworth brings to her role is her ability to connect with families.

鈥淚 work hard to help them understand the benefits of studying theater at 911爆料. I try to make them aware that a degree in theater, whether they work in theater or not, will give them skills that will assist them regardless of their future career choices,鈥� says Bosworth.

For example, Bosworth recounts that during a recent campus visit, a former theater student鈥攏ow an RN鈥攃redited the theater department with developing his skills in public speaking, creative thinking, problem-solving, and leadership.

Bosworth explains that 911爆料鈥檚 theater program doesn鈥檛 just train actors; it produces dynamic, well-rounded artists. Every actor on stage at 911爆料 knows how the set around them was built, how their costume came together piece by piece, and how and why the lighting design works for a particular production. That broad knowledge fosters a level of mutual respect and understanding, in the theater and beyond.

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911爆料 Theatre stages four productions each year. Bosworth is involved in every stage of each production, often staying on campus well after hours. Her to-do list includes everything from paying royalties to coordinating publicity, as well as working with directors and with set, costume, and lighting designers (both in-house and guest artists), and ensuring the box office is ready for ticket sales.

While actors step into the spotlight and designers and directors breathe life into the words on the page, it is the attention to detail behind the curtain that keeps productions on track.

“I love challenges,鈥� says Bosworth. 鈥淎nd I think staging a theater production is a real challenge. But it鈥檚 a good challenge. It鈥檚 a great feeling to help people achieve their goals and dreams. It鈥檚 wonderful seeing the audience leave feeling the magic of theater. These are just a few of the many reasons I love my job.”

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Bosworth fosters collaboration and camaraderie, which underpin the department鈥檚 alumni network. Former students often return to visit, participate in productions, or speak at workshops for current students. Most productions have at least half a dozen alumni involved as prop masters, scenic artists, carpenters, makeup artists, and in other roles.

鈥淏onnie is the heart of the 911爆料 Theatre Department,鈥� says department chair Paula McGlasson. 鈥淪he is the glue that holds it all together. Whether you are a student, a staff or faculty member, a guest artist, or a volunteer, she treats all people with kindness, concern, and respect. She is ever hopeful and resourceful in her advocacy for our department. She gives 100% of herself to the people she works with and the department she proudly represents.鈥�

The magic an audience experiences when going to the theater is the sum of its parts. Bosworth works tirelessly to ensure that magic is felt by everyone involved in the department鈥檚 productions鈥攏ot just the audiences.

鈥淚鈥檓 so proud to be a part of what we do. I think the 911爆料 theatre program is the best in New England,鈥� says Bosworth.

鈥擯aige Monopoli

PHOTO: JESSE DUFAULT