The School of Drama’s Student Ambassadors are undergraduate representatives of their respective programs and the School as a whole. These students lead daily tours of the Purnell Center for the Arts, assist during admission interviews and auditions, and offer support and insight to prospective students as they navigate the admission process.
Learn more about each of our terrific ambassadors below!
Sophomore | Music Theater
Tamara Arad
she/her
Where did you grow up?
Bay Area, CA
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
Getting to be a part of Playground for the first time was magical and transformative for me as an artist. Last year, I got to perform in two incredible student written musicals, and I got to watch the beautiful work my peers poured their heart and soul into.
What are you looking forward to this year?
Center for New Works productions & Playground! Any opportunity to work on and see new material!
Junior | Lighting Design
Harshitha Bharghava
she/her
Where did you grow up?
East Brunswick, NJ
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
I got to work on a few concert tours this summer for some artists I really admire! Fun Fact: my initials are on a Jonas Brother’s drafting packet for their 2026 Madison Square Garden residency!
What’s something that surprised you about CMU, Pittsburgh, or the college experience in general?
Everyone is always rooting for your success!
Junior | Music Theater
Favor Buchi
she/her
Where did you grow up?
Gadsden, AL
What is your favorite thing about CMU Drama?
Other than the fact that I still feel like I have to pinch myself walking past our huge CMU Drama sign into Purnell every morning, I am so extremely blessed to be surrounded by the amazingly talented people who attend this institution–constantly inspired, constantly lifted up, and constantly laughing–it is one of the greatest gifts of my life, truly.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m a junior this year, so I’m performing in main stage productions now & I am very excited for that!!!
Sophomore | Music Theater
Charles Curry, II
he/him
Where did you grow up?
Orlando, FL
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
Watching our production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s In the Red and Brown Water was transformative. The way the actors and production tackled that script blew my MIND!
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to Shakespeare scenes next semester!
Sophomore | Acting
Jackson Davis
he/him
Where did you grow up?
Afton, Virginia
What’s something that surprised you about CMU, Pittsburgh, or the college experience in general?
How supportive the program and faculty is for their students. There is a ton of rigor, but all of it feels very connected, human, and manageable. CMU is a place for artists by artists.
A favorite Pittsburgh hang?
I love to go to Walnut Street on the weekends! And nothing beats Schenley Park at night with friends.
Sophomore | Dramaturgy (BXA)
Sam Dyer
he/him
Where did you grow up?
Fort Lauderdale, FL
What is your favorite thing about CMU Drama?
The level of passion and dedication students have to their majors and extracurriculars is something unique to CMU’s ecosystem; I love listening to others talk about what they’re working on.
A favorite Pittsburgh hang?
Kujira on Bellefonte St. has the best sushi on the planet!
Junior | Stage & Production Management
Felix Eisenberg
he/him
Where did you grow up?
Manhattan, NY
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
I worked on a small workshop of a musical that my friend Hudson Orfe (Class of ’26) wrote called A Million Moments on the Mackinac Bridge, and now my producing partner and I, among others, are helping to put it up in NYC over our fall break at 54 Below!
A favorite Pittsburgh hang?
Thrifting/Grabbing Coffee in Squirrel Hill!
Senior | Acting
Sofia Garcia
she/her
Where did you grow up?
New Jersey
What is your favorite thing about CMU Drama?
Artistic Freedom! CMU offers freedom to create our own work and collaborate across class and disciplines. The teachers trust our instincts and empower us to investigate and embody our process.
A favorite Pittsburgh hang?
I love the Carnegie Library (in my opinion the most beautiful city public library in the U.S.).
Sophomore | Design/Production
Reece Langland
he/him
Where did you grow up?
Houston, TX
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
I had a lot of fun making an interactive sewer experience for my Basic Design II final! I also just loaded out the Bruno Mars concert!
A favorite Pittsburgh hang?
I really like going to Pamela’s Diner with friends!
Sophomore | Acting
Kayla McCarty
she/her
Where did you grow up?
Riverside, CA
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
Being in a feature film was an amazing experience I just had this summer.
What’s something that surprised you about CMU, Pittsburgh, or the college experience in general?
The amount of museums and historical figures present in its history.
Junior | Music Theater
Andy Moats
he/him
Where did you grow up?
Dallas, TX
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
Shakespeare scenes! I had never done Shakespeare before, so getting to be in such an epic bloody scene was so cool.
A favorite Pittsburgh hang?
The Strip District. Great food, grocery stores of every culture, good churches, and great coffee at Allegheny Coffee Co.
Sophomore | Dramaturgy
Alabaster Richard
they/she/he
Where did you grow up?
Portland, OR
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
I got to write and direct a show about Family Guy, Subway Surfers, and Instagram Reels with my friend for our 2025 Playground Festival. Classes got cancelled for a week and I threw myself completely into the process. It was divine.
What’s something that surprised you about CMU, Pittsburgh, or the college experience in general?
I was surprised by the snow. Get good snow boots.
Junior | Acting
Mae Ryness
she/her
Where did you grow up?
Los Angeles, CA
What is your favorite thing about CMU Drama?
I love my classmates and the professors at this university! Everyone is so passionate and driven and they want to help lift you up.
What are you looking forward to this year?
Starting shows and going abroad spring semester to Wales!
Senior | Stage & Production Management
Ana Schroeder
Where did you grow up?
Dallas, TX
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
I got the chance to work as the Assistant Production Manager of the Ted Shawn Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival this summer. It was so inspiring to be a part of dance history and to work with dance companies from all over the world.
A favorite Pittsburgh hang?
My roommates and I love to go to Penguins games!
Senior | Music Theater
Bree Taylor
she/her
Where did you grow up?
Palm Beach, FL
Tell us about one of your favorite artistic experiences – at CMU or elsewhere.
Performing at Pittsburgh CLO while still a student pushed me to trust my training, stay present, and become a stronger collaborator. It reminded me why I love this work and inspired me to be a braver actor.
What’s something that surprised you about CMU, Pittsburgh, or the college experience in general?
I was surprised by how much college would change me outside the classroom. I expected CMU to challenge me artistically, but I didn’t expect the people and experiences to shape me just as much.
Senior | Stage & Production Manager
Reigh Wilson
she/they
Where did you grow up?
Mostly Cos Cob, CT (but I’ve lived in 9 states!)
What is your favorite thing about CMU Drama?
The people. The quality of our classes is high, and the production value we have is awesome, but the thing to truly set us apart from other drama schools is the community at CMU. I have made friends and professional connections that I will carry for a lifetime.
A favorite Pittsburgh hang?
The Manor! Squirrel Hill is my favorite. I love getting some froyo from Berry Fresh and then seeing a movie.