Striving Artists Theatre Company

An Introduction to Striving Artists

Want to know who SAC is what we're all about? This should help! Here are two videos which will give you a pretty good idea of who we are and what we do. First an episode of Kiwanis Conversations dedicated to discussing SAC's history and fifth anniversary, followed by a discussion of our production of Twelfth Night. Then, scroll down to find our Fifth Anniversary Trailer, with footage from the first five years of our history.

TV Interview

30-minute episode of Kiwanis Conversations in which host John Maihos interviews SAC Artistic Director Greg Luzitano and actress Erika Lamarre about SAC's fifth anniversary and our production of Twelfth Night.

Promotional Trailer

A montage combining footage from the first five years of SAC's productions, including short films, concerts, and plays!

Kristina R. Vickstrom, Esq.: President

Kristina is proud to be a member of the SAC Board. She currently has her own law practice in Worcester, where she handles estate planning and elder law issues. Her passion for the performing arts first began in her childhood and continued throughout her undergraduate years at Salve Regina University, where she minored in Theatre Arts and helped revive the student run theatre group, Stagefright Theatre Company. Kristina sat on several advisory boards, including the curriculum and charities committee, while achieving her Juris Doctor from Western New England College School of Law. She also drafted many successful grants for local non-profit organizations.

Emily Sirois: Vice President

Emily received her Master's Degree in Professional Writing from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in May 2008. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in European History and a minor in English Communications from Salve Regina University. Currently, Emily is a freelance writer for Report from Newport, Salve Regina's alumni magazine, and has also written for The East Providence Post, The Taunton Gazette, Conscience magazine and The Newport Daily News. In addition, Emily has also served as the web writer for the Summer Fund program at Associated Grant Makers, Inc., in Boston.

Mary C. Luzitano: Secretary

Mary has been in the life insurance business for 40 years, primarily on the brokerage general agency level specializing in impaired risk cases. For the past 20 years she has been with Brokers' Service Marketing Group in Providence, RI; 10 of those years she has been the Executive Assistant to the Chairman and CEO. Previous to that she managed a brokerage general agency in Pittsburgh, PA for 14 years.

Paul Lennon: Treasurer

Paul is a Certified Public Accountant and a partner in the firm of Meyer, Regan & Wilner, LLP. He graduated from Roger Williams University, Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. One of his major areas of concentration is in management consulting services.

Paul is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

He is married, has two children and lives in Rehoboth, MA with his wife Vivian.

Jennifer Luzitano: Member-at-Large

Jennifer Luzitano graduated from Salve Regina University in 2002 with a double-major in Psychology and Theatre. She acquired a Masters Degree in Theatre Education from Emerson in 2004 and a second Masters in Elementary Education from American International College. She teaches History at O'Malley Middle School in Gloucester, MA.

Kari Van Buren: Member-at-Large

Kari has worked for non-profits since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with an MS in Historic Preservation, first as Resident Director of Smith's Castle in North Kingstown, RI, then as Development Associate of the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, VT. She is now the Membership Associate at The Preservation Society of Newport County in Newport, RI. She has been involved in theatre since she was a child first at MacHaydn Theater in Chatham, NY, then at Salve Regina University, where she received a BA in History. She currently lives in Newport, RI.

Staff

Gregory Luzitano - Artistic Director

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Greg graduated in 2003 from Salve Regina University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and was awarded the Arthur Masterson Award for Excellence in Theatre. He also served as President of StageFright Theatre Company, the University's student-run theatre organization. While involved with this organization, he produced and directed two original shows. Upon graduation he became heavily involved with Industrial Theatre out of Cambridge and Taunton. Greg appeared in numerous shows and contributed to writing projects. He used this valuable time in his life to prepare for the inception of Striving Artists Theatre Company (SAC). He is proud to serve as Artistic Director of SAC and looks forward to many seasons of exciting work!

Mary Luzitano - Executive Director

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Mary Beth has been studying theatre with her brother Greg since she was a young child of six. She studied first at the Lewis School of Theatre Arts under Shirley "Mimi" Corey. She participated in 50+ children's theatre productions in the 10 years she attended the school. She then moved on to perform in high school, claiming such lead roles as Asaka in Once On This Island and Abigail Williams inThe Crucible. Mary Beth graduated from Salve Regina University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. While at Salve, Mary Beth performed as Mushnik inLittle Shop of Horrors, Medea in Medea, and Marmee in Little Women. She also had the opportunity of directing Baby with the Bathwater. After graduating, Mary Beth returned to the Salve to Assistant Direct both Cabaret and Macbeth. She is also working to increase her theatrical knowledge by studying at the GAMM Theatre in Pawtucket, RI under Fred Sullivan, Jr. In addition to her theatrical work, Mary Beth also studied Business Administration at Salve Regina University. She has held the position of Box Office Manager, as well as multiple administrative roles. Currently, she works in the Undergraduate Admissions office at Salve Regina University. Mary Beth has always wanted to start her own theatre company and is excited to be involved in such a passionate project with her brother Greg!

Siobhan LaPorte-Cauley - Company Manager

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Siobhan graduated from Salve Regina University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. For two years, she also acted as President of the student-run theatre organisation, StageFright Theatre Company. During her time at Salve Regina, Siobhan seized the opportunity to experience theatre to its fullest. She performed as Mrs. Shepard in The Laramie Project, as SS Guard in Playing for Time, and Hannah in Little Women. She also co-directed David Ives' All in the Timing. Siobhan has extensive experience in the technical aspects of theatre, having served as Stage Manager as well as running lights and sound for multiple shows at Salve. She currently works as a Quality Analyst in the financial industry.

Michael Schenck - Webmaster

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Michael has been in and around theatre for the last 15 years through both acting and techical roles. Michael was a charter member of Worcester Polytechnic Institute Little Theatre Squad, mangaging the house audio and communications systems in WPI's black box theatre. Michael is a member of the Rho Kappa Cast of Alpha Psi Omega, the national dramatic honor fraternity. He also served as crew chief and/or crew for numerous sound, lighting, and power setups under WPI's Lens and Lights Club, a student run event production service for the WPI community.

In addition to managing SAC's technology needs, Michael is pursuing a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and working as an audio technician with ATR/Treehouse in Providence, RI.