Goodbye to Summer Camp 2009

Dear Mom and Dad,
Here is my last letter before I go home and I find myself unable to write. How can I say goodbye to Cabin 5? Summer Camp has been one of the best experiences of my life. I never thought that I would get so close to so many people so quickly. It's a cliché in Theatre that every cast is a family and this summer has gone to prove that true for me. Uta Hagen wrote that a good actor is an emotional athlete. She was referring to being able to access one's emotions to serve the story but I think she was also referring to the nature of putting on a show. The trust and bonds you must create (often with someone you’ve never met before) to tell a story truthfully is a much rarer thing in the real world and yet for us - it is common practice. Mom, you and Dad taught me how to say hello very well, but I’m terrible at saying goodbye. I really stink at it. Anais Nin wrote: "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." Well this week it feels as if these worlds are collapsing and may blink out forever. Or become barren wastelands where vibrant life once flourished. Emotional athlete’s indeed. I could really use your Double-Choco Brownies right now, Mom.

Your son,
~Sergio

OUR SUMMER: 2009

These two are the sweetest couple I've ever met. Both have a wonderfully goofy sense of humor and enjoy a limitless delight from life only matched by their devotion to each other.

Geoff has been the single greatest inspiration of my theatre career. I simply can't say enough great things about him. He is a natural leader. He is a visionary artist. He is a crackerjack bonfire-builder. He is devilishly handsome. He is always quick with a joke, a kind word or a bro-hug. But above all else he always brings his heart to everything he does.
Great things happen when Geoff is involved.

Walter has played my brother in the play and has treated me like one outside of rehearsal.
He's a fine actor and a good man. I'll miss his heart, humor, and knowledge of obscure movie trivia.

Melora is a committed and giving actress who takes what she does very seriously. I felt I grew as an actor because of working with her and I am grateful for that honor and privilege.

Liz is someone to keep your eye on.
She is talented, endlessly cute, and wickedly funny. She's the type of person everyone wants around. I dare you to keep a straight face around her for longer than five minutes.

Kirin is someone I will sorely miss. She is unconsciously intelligent, angelic, and gifted. An actress who is just starting to come into her own. Even if we weren’t friends I would try to catch every production she’s in- she’s that endlessly fascinating to watch.

Jon has been a pleasure to work with. I can see why he's so prolific in town. I know I will miss his acute comic timing, booming voice and flare for the absurd.

Ryan has been one of the most patient and understanding directors I've worked with. He dealt admirably with the challenges of directing a large group of young actors on a hillside during a very soggy Virginian summer. Throughout the process he struck a perfect balance of being open and maintaining his artistic vision.

Maria has been like a big sister to me from the moment I arrived to Virginia. She gave me bedding, made my bed, gave me a pack of gum, and has been endlessly patient with the shenanigans of 'Nick Bottom.' We get along so well - I'm convinced we're related.


I love this woman for her boundless skill, energy, support, and friendship. She is what I wish all theatre artists were like.

Josh has been a friend to me from the moment I met him at Florida State. He is exactly who I want to be when I grow up. He has more talent than I have ever known in one person and accomplishes more in a week than I do in a year. I feel lucky to know him.


Derek has been my love interest in Midsummer's and I could not have asked for a better leading lady. He is sweet and brings a child-like enthusiasm to everything he does.

Sweet Briar College has been a gracious home away from home.

Nights like this always seem like we'll have a million more just like them...


Tania is a hundred pounds of self-reliance, talent, ambition, and optimism.
She plans to move to New York City. That city won't know what hit it.


Mr. Bell is a braggart and a scoundrel. He has been more than a worthy 'Quince' to my 'Bottom' and I'll miss our blank verse mischief. He is a lot of fun to play with and he made this play a joy for me.


Melissa is my worthy arch nemesis. She is cunning and devilishly quick. And she sometimes would let me use her computer. I'll miss clashing with this one.


Michael is a mysterious, bright young millionaire. A hero of the Great War for his participation in the bloody battles of Marne and Argonne, he attended Oxford before returning stateside. He is a deeply flawed man, dishonest and vulgar, whose extraordinary optimism and power to transform his dreams into reality make him “great” nonetheless. He has been my greatest muse.

"It's ok, girls. Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it. I'm sure that we shall never forget"..."this first parting that there was among us." - Kermit Cratchit