Theater Major Poised
to Produce Greatness

From childhood theatergoer to high-school actor to Fordham theater major, Stephen Sosnowski has consistently followed the calling of his one true passion—the stage. Now, he is looking to develop his talent even further through graduate studies in Columbia University’s prestigious theater management and producing program.

Sosnowski remembers his parents treating him to a Broadway show at the end of every school year when he was a child.

“I remember seeing Les Miserables,” he said. “That was the clincher. I loved it.”

Sosnowski took theater classes every day for four years at his Bellmore, Long Island, high school. Upon graduating, he’d already performed in more than 20 productions.

Naturally, Sosnowski sought to continue his artistic training as an undergraduate, and that’s why he chose Fordham.

“The first time I came to the school here at Lincoln Center, I knew right away that this is the university I wanted to go to,” said Sosnowski, who was initially impressed with the cosmopolitan appeal of the school, situated right in the middle of New York City, the theater capital of the world. “It was the most comfortable audition I’ve had in my life. And to feel that comfortable in such an intense time, I knew right off the bat that these were the people I wanted to learn from.”

Sosnowski didn’t waste any time developing his art at Fordham. In his freshman year, he began taking part in the department’s Mainstage productions as well as independent student productions. One of Sosnowski’s favorite roles was playing the title character in William Shakespeare’s King Lear.

But it wasn’t until he met Fordham Theater Manager Eva Patton that his career focus became even sharper. He worked for Patton doing publicity for Fordham productions, running the box office and acting as her general assistant for three years. He also worked as an intern for Boneau/Bryan-Brown, a Broadway press agency, and for Cameron McIntosh, producer of Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon. Sosnowski also got to flex his producing muscles last year when he produced the musical Blood Brothers at Fordham.

Sosnowski was very pleased to be informed that he was accepted to Columbia University’s graduate program, which he will start in the fall. The program accepts only eight to 10 students a year from around the world, and only one or two straight out of college.

“I love theater so much because it is an art form where you need to use the talent of so many different people to create the art. And when they all put their talents together, they create this product from nothing, which is what I love about it.”

One of his major goals for the future is to open his own theater company, perhaps housed in an old New York City theater that he would rehabilitate. But first, he will focus on building a career as a Broadway theater producer.

“No matter what, I am going to be doing theater,” said Sosnowski. “That’s what I want to do.”

— Keisha-Gaye Anderson

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Theater Major Poised to Produce Greatness

Theater Major Poised
to Produce Greatness