In our eleven years empowering youth, TVCT has witnessed first hand the transformative power of the arts, a transformation reflected in our alumni and graduating seniors. These leaders are making an impact in their own unique ways, leveraging the lessons learned and skills developed in the TVCT classroom and on the stage. We can’t wait to share with you the impact of our alumni. Keep reading to learn about our incredible 2023 graduating seniors!
TVCT Alumni
We have TVCT kids all over the place! Idaho, Utah, Washington, New York, California, Massachusetts, Japan, Australia, Spain, and beyond. Many of them are pursuing theater and the arts professionally, with degrees in Musical Theatre, Theatre Education, Graphic Design, Creative Writing, and Theatrical Design and Production. Others are headed down different career paths, but still participate in the arts for fun. We even have students serving in the military, studying abroad, working at Disney World, and touring with Idaho Shakespeare Company.
One thing they all have in common, though, is that TVCT changed their lives for the better. Here’s just a few testimonials from our alumni:
“TVCT taught me that I have the power to take positive action in my life. I have a voice and a will within me, and if I confidently go forward to share it, people will make the space to listen to me and through these people, one by one, I can change the world.”
– Kate Fawson
“TVCT taught me how to be more outgoing and confident and make friends with all different kinds of people.”
– Sam Deerfield
“I’ve always been creatively inclined, but TVCT was truly the safe space I needed to really explore my creative side to my full extent while being surrounded by my peers who were also experimenting with creativity. I think without TVCT, I genuinely would not be the person I am today, and I don’t think I would’ve ever fully realized the importance of art for my mental health and just my life in general. I’m so indebted to TVCT for everything they’ve done for me. Additionally, I made so many friends and learned from so many important and phenomenal mentors at TVCT that I still regularly talk to and visit to this day, and I’m so grateful TVCT granted me such a safe and welcoming space. It was a place where I always felt welcomed, no matter what.”
– Dylan Reynolds
“Something important I learned from TVCT is how to connect with people. I learned how to make lifelong friends, speak in public, promote my work to the community, and create a professional relationship with a production team.”
– Justin Ravago, Legacy Leader*
“TVCT taught me how to be a leader! More specifically, that anyone can be a leader and leadership can take form in many different ways.”
– Kat Raphael
“TVCT made me question the spotlight. The show isn’t about you, it’s about what you give to the show. You are the one and only you on earth, so what can you as an individual provide to the production that no one else can?”
– Valerie Denton
“Something that I learned from TVCT is that you hold a light inside of you and no matter how dim it may become, you always have the power to brighten the spark. The only thing that holds you back from being the most vibrant version of yourself is your mind. If you think with your heart, you will find a greater contentment than you ever saw imaginable.”
– Hailey Hutchison
*Legacy Leaders are TVCT Alumni who invest a monthly, quarterly, or annual tax deductible donation to support the development and delivery of TVCT programs that empower youth. To learn more about our Legacy Leaders, click here.
2023 Graduating Seniors
This year, we are so excited to celebrate our graduating seniors! Although we are so sad to see them go, we can’t wait to witness their impact on the world and welcome them into the TVCT Alumni Family.
Ella McCullough
After graduation, Ella will be moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to attend Carnagie Mellon University to pursue a BFA in stage and production management! Over the past four years, she has been involved in Mulan (Stage Manager), Charlottes Web (Actor), Mary Poppins (Stage Manager), 10 ways to survive life in Quarantine (Stage Manager/Production Manager), Goonie Bird Green (Stage Manager), Flora and Ulysses (Actor), Peter and the Starcatcher (Actor), and A Bad Case of Stripes (Stage Manager) at TVCT. She also spent a lot of time assisting in classes/camps and helping with administrative work.
“TVCT taught me a lot about acting and stage management but beyond that, and more importantly, they taught me life skills that I still use in all aspects of my life. The life skill that always comes to my mind first is how they taught me not to just be a leader but a kind leader. I now know how to hold space for everyone’s needs and use my voice to produce kindness and positivity wherever I go. TVCT gave me a safe space to discover who I wanted to be and gave me the best professional base that I will only continue to build on past high school.”
– Ella McCullough
Sabrina Thomas
Sabrina is a senior at Borah High School. After high school, she will be attending Boise State University as a Music Education and Music Performance double major. She was in Charlotte’s Web, Mary Poppins, 10 Ways to Survive Life in Quarantine, A Wrinkle in Time, Flora and Ulysses, Peter and the Starcatcher, and A Bad Case of Stripes. She was also a Youth Ambassador.
“TVCT gave me so many amazing opportunities, but I think more importantly, TVCT allowed me to meet incredible people and some of my best friends. I think I’m a better actor but I know I’m a better person since I worked with TVCT.”
– Sabrina Thomas
Tommy Duff
Tommy is a senior at Timberline High School. He will be going to College of Idaho to double major in Music and Theater and pursue a life of performing! Tommy was an awesome assistant in several classes and camps here at TVCT.
“Working as an educator at TVCT has been an invaluable experience for me. I got to meet so many wonderful, talented people and inspire a few kids the same way I was inspired when I was young!”
– Tommy Duff
Reed Adams
Reed plans on attending Boise State University and studying Secondary Education with a minor in English! This summer, he plans on working for Alaska Airlines as a Passenger Service Agent. Reed performed in several TVCT shows, including Shrek Jr., Willy Wonka Jr., and The Lion King Jr. He was also an assistant in several camps!
“TVCT has taught me not only how to use my critical thinking skills, but also what it means to work with people I might not usually work with. By being involved with TVCT, I’ve learned how to solve and handle conflict, work with many types of humans, and build lifelong connections with people.”
– Reed Adams
Izzy Martin
Izzy plans to study Music Composition and French at the University of Idaho in the fall. In her future career, she hopes to combine her passions for teaching, music, composition, and French and see where that takes her! Izzy was a wonderful assistant in several musical theater camps and classes here at TVCT.
“In my experience with TVCT, I have discovered that I love working with kids through music. I love seeing their faces light up during a song, when they realize that they have entered a different world.”
– Izzy Martin
In our eleven years empowering youth TVCT has witnessed first hand the transformative power of the arts, a transformation reflected in our alumni and graduating seniors. These leaders are making an impact in their own unique ways, leveraging the lessons learned and skills developed in the TVCT classroom and on the stage. They are changing the world.
