Sylvia by A.R. Gurney Program Playbill
Sylvia by A.R. Gurney
Presented by the Center for Fine & Performing Arts at Seminole State College
Directed by -Niki Salamon
- November 7 & 8 at 7:30 p.m.
November 9 at 2 p.m. - Presented in Le Petit Théâtre, B-127
100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773 - Free Admission.
Reservations Required.
Call Box Office: 407.708.2506
Welcome to Le Petit Théâtre
Welcome to Seminole State College of Florida's Center for the Fine and Performing Arts production of Sylvia by A.R. Gurney. We are delighted share this witty and thought-provoking play with you, brought to life by the creative vision of director Nicole Salamon and the dedication of our talented students and faculty. Sylvia explores the complexities of love, identity, and companionship through th elends that is both humorous and deeply human. It's a wonderful example of how theatre can challenge us, entertain us, and invite us to reflect on our own relationships and choices.
At Seminole State, we are proud to foster a vibrant arts community where students can grow as artists, storytellers, and collaborators. Tonight's performance is a testament to their hard work and passion, and to the power of the performing arts to connect us all.
Thank you for joining us. Enjoy the show!
~ Michele Cuomo
Dean, Arts and Communication
College should't be all work and No Plays!
Please Remember
Be Courteous to Your Neighbor
No Cell Phone Texting
Video, audio recording, or photos
of this production is strictly prohibited.
Directors Notes
Welcome, and thank you for being here-and for continuing to support our Le Petit Théâtre at Seminole State College!
At first glance, Sylvia might seem like a lighthearted comedy about a man, his midlife crisis, and a dog who turns everything upside down (and occasionally chews it up). But A.R. Gurney, in his brilliant, sneaky way, gives us much more than just laughs. My goal with this production was to explore the deeper layers of the play-especially the fascinating choice of having a human actor portray a dog.
Sylvia isn’t just a dog. She’s the embodiment of love, loyalty, chaos, instinct, and that part of ourselves we often try to hide. Gurney wrote Sylvia as a way of asking how we connect-to each other, to our passions, to the world around us-and what happens when those connections are tested. By making Sylvia human, Gurney forces us to look at that relationship head-on. We’re not just watching a man and his pet; we’re watching a man wrestle with his own desires, identity, and need for meaning-all while his wife is just trying to keep their life from unraveling!
For me, it was important that Sylvia be more than just the comic relief. Yes, she’s hilarious, but she also holds up a mirror to the rest of the characters-and to us. Through laughter, Gurney asks big questions about love, commitment, and the messiness of being human.
I am beyond grateful to our incredibly talented cast for their passion, humor, and willingness to dive deep into this world. And to our crew and designers thank you for keeping everything running smoothly, for your creativity, and help bringing this vision to life.
Working on this show has been an absolute joy, and I hope you leave tonight smiling, thinking, and maybe feeling a little more connected-to your people, your pets, and the part of yourself that just wants to chase the ball. Enjoy the show!
~Niki Salamon, MFS, MA
Director
Cast & Theatre Team Summary
- Greg: Virgil Grogan
- Kate: Sarah Riddick
- Tom/Phyllis/Leslie: Sam Lee
- Sylvia: Matilda Day
- Set Designer: Eric Craft
- Technical Director: Josh Jacobs
- Costume Designer: Cathy Cox
- Lighting Designer: Nico Eubanks
- Sound Designer: Josh Jacobs
- Assistant Sound Designer: Nico Eubanks
- Stage Manager: Jessica Rucker
- Assistant Stage Manager: Jocelyn Flory
- Sound Board Op: Jonathan Berroa
- Light Board Op: Brayden Olsen
- Assistant Sound Designer: Nico Eubanks
- Assistant Costume Designer: Jocelyn Flory
- Props/Run Crew: Jessica Rucker & Jocelyn Flory
- Ushers: Rocio Cobon-Samayoa
- Box Office Supervisor: Christine Kindell
Meet the Sylvia Cast
Matilda Day (Sylvia)
Matilda is thrilled to be returning to Le Petit Théâtre in one of her dream roles as Sylvia in Sylvia. Her extensive dance background has made this very physical role a joy to play. Previously, Matilda has entertained audiences at Seminole State by playing a witch in Witches of Shakespeare, Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and in four student written and directed plays in Lights up on Students one of which she wrote and directed! She is also currently a member of the Seminole State College Theatre Touring Company and President of the Improv Club. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Virgil Grogan (Greg)
Starting work with SSC in 2022, Virgil has contributed to many fantastic shows over the years, including The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Witches of Shakespeare, and every iteration of the Lights up on Students student directed shows since spring of 2023. He hopes you have a good night and enjoy the show!
Sam Lee (Tom/Phyllis/Leslie)
Sam’s first theatrical performance was at age 13, portraying Jesus in his final moments for a Southern Baptist church. After that, he took a decade-long hiatus to recover from that role. Sam returned to acting in April 2025 with Lights Up on Students, a student-directed production, proving it’s never too late for a resurrection.
Sarah Riddick (Kate)
Sarah is thrilled to appear as Kate in Sylvia! She is completing her A.A. at Seminole State College, where she recently performed in Witches of Shakespeare. Before joining SSC, Sarah was active in the Central Florida theatre community and was nominated by BroadwayWorld.com for her performance as Cassie in A Chorus Line. After finishing her degree, she hopes to pursue a B.A. or B.F.A. in Acting abroad to continue growing as a performer and storyteller. She would like to thank Josh Jacobs, Niki Salamon and her sister, Anna, for their guidance, encouragement, and belief in her journey.
Eric Craft (Set Designer)
Eric is so glad to be back designing for Seminole State’s Theatre Department. Eric is a faculty member in the theatre/communications department. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Scenic Design/Technical Direction at Florida State University and his Master of Fine Arts in Scenic & Lighting Design from the University of Utah.
Eric spent numerous years at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Pioneer Theatre Company (LORT_B) in SLC, Utah. Other notables are the Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival and Sacramento Theatre Company. His production experience includes live performance, theme parks, television, and film. Eric has worked as a designer and scenic artist at Universal Studios, including extensive work on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Stage recent production work includes Set and lighting, A Year with Frog and Toad at Madcow Theatre Company.
Eric has been designing with MTC for over 5 years with notable designs such as, A View from the Bridge, Heartbreak House, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Eric is member of the IATSE local 477, and recent television work was on David Makes Man (HBO) and The Right Stuff (Disney+). Eric thanks his family for supporting his production habits.
Cathy Cox (Costume Designer)
Cathy is so glad to be back designing for Seminole State’s Theatre Department. Her costume design and production experience includes: theme parks, print, television, and film for 30 years. Some of her clients include Anheuser Busch, Chevy, Coke, Discovery Channel, Fox, Life Magazine, Mattel, and Walt Disney World. This Rollins College Theatre program graduate has been designing for Seminole State College since fall of 2015. She loves the students and faculty and is inspired by their knowledge and enthusiasm. Cathy would like to dedicate this show to her late husband Fr John Cox who had always been so supportive of all her career projects.
Josh Jacobs (Technical Director/Sound Designer)
Josh has been the Technical Director of Arts and Communication for Seminole State College since he moved to Florida in July 2018. Before moving here, Josh grew up in Texas where his love for theatre began. He triple-lettered in Theater in High School. He received his Associate’s Degree of Arts from Collin College with a focus in technical theater; his Bachelor of Arts with a focus on Technical Direction and Stage Management from the University of Texas at Arlington; and his Masters in Technical Direction from the University of Houston. While he appreciated and enjoyed every college experience and the lifelong lesson he received, the foundation he obtained from Collin College helped set the pathway to where he is today.
Josh has also been the set designer and builder for the Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts, for their shows such as Chicago, Bring It On, and A Chorus Line. He also has designed scenic elements for other theatres and performance groups outside of Seminole State.
Josh is thankful to Rachel and his daughter Thea for supporting him in his theatrical endeavors. Josh also wants to thank you for coming and hopes you enjoy the show!
Christine Kindell (Box Office Supervisor)
Christine has served as the Box Office Supervisor at Seminole State College since 2015. In her all-around role, she manages both box office operations and fine arts coordination, while also leading the department’s social media presence and contributing to her talents as a graphic designer. Her dedication to students, colleagues, and the department shines through her consistent willingness to go above and beyond. Christine is also a graduate of SSC’s Leadership Academy Class of 2018-19 and currently serves on the steering committee for the ACE Leadership Network of Florida.
Jonathan Berroa (Sound Board Operator)
Jonathan is a sophomore majoring in communications currently at Seminole State College. This is his first time participating in theatre since high school, and he cannot be more excited to help out in anyway that he can!
Nico Eubanks (Lighting Designer/Assistant Sound Designer)
This is Nico’s eleventh show at Seminole State College! He has previously been director, lighting designer and Vladimir in the 2025 Lights Up on Students: Waiting for Godot, Lighting Designer and Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Chorus member and Countess in The Tragic Life and Triumphant Death of Julia Pastrana, the Ugliest Woman in the World, lighting designer and board operator for Witches of Shakespeare, props crew for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, the director, playwright, and the light board operator for the 2024 Lights Up on Students: A Loving Thought, Harold in Black Comedy, Jessie in The Freeze, and Jess in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (again). He is currently working towards a Technical Theatre certificate. Nico would like to thank his mom, Niki Salamon, Josh Jacobs, as well as his friends for supporting him through this production!
Jocelyn Flory (Assistant Stage Manager/Costume Assistant)
This is Jocelyn’s first production at Seminole State College. She worked on many productions at her high school, mainly specializing in costume design. She is the assistant stage manager and costume assistant for this show. Jocelyn is so excited to work on such a fun show and help bring the characters to life!
Brayden Olsen (Light Board Operator)
This is Brayden’s first show at Seminole State College. He has experience in sound engineering, music production, light design, and stage management- which he taught to others for a year as Lead Instructor for the Oviedo High School Music Technology Program. He loves doing live sound engineering for bands and is excited to learn and gain experience in this new environment.
Jessica Rucker (Stage Manager)
Jessica is currently a sophomore here at Seminole State College, and this is her first production with Le Petit Théâtre! She’s very happy to be part of this awesome program. She is also currently a member of SSC Music’s SeminoleSound and Concert Chorale. She hopes you enjoy the show!
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Harriett Lake - Seminole State College Theatre's Benefactor
Harriett Lake’s philanthropic influence is evident throughout Central Florida. Not only was she a cheerleader for the arts, but a funder as well. Because of her support, Seminole State’s theatre program will continue to reap the benefits of her generosity for years to come.
Seminole State acknowledges with gratitude the $500,000 gift from Harriett Lake in 2015 that is now an endowed fund, honoring her legacy as reflected in the daily arts activity of the many students and patrons who attend theatre productions at the Seminole State College of Florida.
Harriett Lake grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania, served in the Marines during the Second World War, and moved to Florida after the war. When she met her husband HY there, they moved to Central Florida, where Hy was a developer. They made much of their money together developing land in Central Florida. The couple jointly donated vast sums to local Jewish temples and other nonprofit organizations. HY passed away in 2010, but by then Harriett was a reigning philanthropist. There are more than 25 sites in Central Florida that bear Harriett’s name. She passed away in 2018.
“I am the keeper of the arts alive, because somebody has to do it, and I now think of myself as an occupation.” – Harriett Lake
Support-an-Actor
Join us in celebrating this show and The Center for Fine & Performing Arts. With your help and donation, you will be making a HUGE impact on our theatre students to pursue their dreams. Your contribution will assist with classes, books, replenish lumber, tools, costumes and props-everything needed to guarantee the show goes on. Thank you for your continued support.
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Seminole State College of Florida
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407.708.4400
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