Over spring break, multiple cohorts of Sacred Heart University’s performing arts program traveled to advance their skills and knowledge of the arts. The Theatre Arts Program (TAP) took a trip to Chicago from March 4 through March 9.
The trip allowed students to immerse in Chicago’s theatrical offerings and provided the ability to explore off-Broadway-style productions.
“I think this trip enhanced my knowledge of performing arts by showing me all different types of theatre. Since we saw so many different types of shows, it was amazing to see what people wrote and put on stage. Some shows were better than others but seeing the not-so-good shows makes the good shows even better,” said freshman Brigid Gawley.
One of these shows was “A Raisin In the Sun” at the Court Theatre. According to the Court Theatre’s website, this play is the first show to be produced on Broadway written by a black woman, and it depicts a family’s fight for dignity and the right to dream. Gawley said this show was amazing.
Gawley also noted some of the provided excursions for attendees.
“We toured Chicago and saw one or more shows everyday while we were there. We saw mostly off Broadway shows, and it was very interesting to see the difference between New York Broadway shows and shows in Chicago,” she said.
Sophomore Adam Petrosino explained why he wanted to attend.
“I went on the trip because of my career aspirations in theatre and interest in seeing the theatrical ventures being explored in Chicago, which I knew to be a place where many shows first find their footing,” Petrosino said.
“In a city where theatrical performances prioritize sharing their story over critical acclaim or economic success, the shows we had the opportunity to see were widely impactful and of many different backgrounds,” he said.
Similarly, Gawley said, “Since I was the only freshman on the trip, I was a bit nervous, but I went on the trip because I wanted to not only see Chicago and the shows, but also hang out with the upperclassmen and form connections with people I did not have before.”
Experiencing professional productions first-hand and engaging with industry professionals inspired students and helped prepare students for future careers in the ever-evolving world of theater.
“This trip was incredibly impactful in enhancing the group’s knowledge of theatre arts and other important learned experiences,” said Petrosino. “Being able to see so many performances from widely diverse economic backgrounds, we learned much about how theatre operates on each respective level – from massive city funded theatres to ramshackle improv groups in crowded city buildings.”
In addition, SHU’s Claddagh Dance Team recently embarked on a trip to Dingle, Ireland as a part of a cultural exchange and performance tour. Their trip lasted from March 1 until March 9.
While in Dingle, the members of the team trained with professional Irish dancers. While they were mostly focused on dancing, the trip also offered tourism-based experiences. An Instagram post from the SHU Dance Program stated that the team enjoyed afternoons engaging with local culture and animals.
“We had a Gaelic lesson and did some set dancing with the locals, which was a great time. The Irish dance team had daily workshops with Tomás O Sé and his wife Niamh O’ Brien, who have both toured with the world famous group Riverdance, which was such an incredible experience,” said junior Moira Staples, Features Editor for the Spectrum and member of the Claddagh Dance Team.
Salo Pizon contributed to this article.
Source: Contributed by Moira Staples, ’25
