“TO NURTURE THIS YOUNG WOMAN’S OBVIOUS STRENGTH’S IN TEACHING AND LEADERSHIP I INVITED HER TO ASSIST ME IN MY SPRING 2013 DIRECTING ASSIGNMENT HERE AT USC’S SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ARTS. SHE WAS INVALUABLE IN THE BUILDING OF THE ENSEMBLE SPIRIT AND WORK ETHIC NECESSARY TO REALIZE A PRODUCTION OF MARY ZIMMERMAN’S THE ARABIAN NIGHTS. WHILE I OFTEN MENTOR MY STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TEACHING AND DIRECTING, SELDOM DO I FEEL COMFORTABLE GIVING THEM DIRECT “CHARGE” OF PRODUCTION ASPECTS. WITH SARAH, I COULD TRUST HER WORK WITH ACTORS, DESIGNERS, ADMINISTRATORS…SHE WAS, IN EVERY WAY, AN EXTRAORDINARY COLLABORATOR IN THIS POSITION. I AM NOT GOING TOO FAR BY SAYING IT WAS EASY TO FORGET SHE WAS A STUDENT…HER ARTISTIC AND TEACHING INSTINCTS, LEADERSHIP AND COMMAND OF HER RESPONSIBILITIES WERE THAT STRONG.” -

stephanie shroyer, usc associate professor of theatre practice