Noteworthy
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Photograph by Michael J. Clarke
spring 2024
President Marisa Kelly (center) with Larry (left) and Michael Smith (right) at the fall dedication ceremony.
On April 26, one of Suffolk’s best-loved annual traditions turns 50. SpringFest—which began in 1974 as a simple variety show, with a baking competition thrown in for good measure—has grown into a major showcase of student, alumni, and faculty talent.
“Suffolk has always prided itself on helping students realize their potential and expand their notion of what they can accomplish,” says retired Dean of Students Nancy Stoll, a longtime champion of SpringFest. After close to 20 years, SpringFest moved to the fall semester, and in 1998 became the headline event for Family Weekend, Stoll explains. “We had the opportunity for families, who were coming back to campus, to see a show that their son or daughter might be in—that was a good match,” she says.
In 2018, SpringFest migrated back to the spring semester. Produced by the Performing Arts Office (PAO), SpringFest remains independent from any academic school or department, a detail that speaks to its all-are-welcome inclusivity. “It doesn’t live in any of the silos,” says Kathy Maloney, MED ’21, PAO’s associate director. “I think it’s one of the few truly all-encompassing events on campus.”
And experience isn’t necessarily required. “Maybe you’ve never been able to sing,” says April Duquette, BS ’09, SpringFest 2024’s director and choreographer. “We’re going to put you with our music director and see what you can do.”
Past SpringFests have featured choruses and chorus lines, bagpipers and rock bands, break-dancers and Irish step dancers, singer-songwriters and stand-up comics. They’ve performed in theaters on campus and around Boston (this year’s SpringFest is at the Royale Night Club).
When the pandemic closed campus in 2020, the show still went on—online, that is. There was a strong feeling, Maloney says, that people needed SpringFest and the sense of community it provides more than ever. Cast members captured their performances on video, and the wider community collaborated on video mashups for company numbers. The 2020 hosts were two student roommates who launched the show dressed in their pajamas.
“It has been a real privilege to be a steward of this Suffolk tradition,” says PAO Director Kristin Baker. “SpringFest has changed a lot: It has had different themes and looks and people and venues, but what has remained at the core is its sense of celebration and joy.”
On April 26, one of Suffolk’s best-loved annual traditions turns 50. SpringFest—which began as a simple variety show, with a baking competition thrown in for good measure—has grown into a major showcase of student, alumni, faculty talent.
“Suffolk has always prided itself on helping students realize their potential and expand their notion of what they can accomplish,” says retired Dean of Students Nancy Stoll. After close to 20 years, Spring Fest moved to the fall semester, and in 1998 became the headline event for Family Weekend, Stoll explains. “We had the opportunity for families, who were coming back to campus, to see a show that their son or daughter might be in—that was a good match,” she says.
In 2019, Spring Fest migrated back to the spring semester. Produced by the Performing Arts Office (PAO), SpringFest remains independent from any academic school or department, a detail that speaks to its all-are-welcome inclusivity. “It doesn’t live in any of the silos,” says Kathy Maloney, MED '21, PAO’s associate director. “I think it’s one of the few truly all-encompassing events on campus.”
And experience isn’t necessarily required. “Maybe you’ve never been able to sing,” says April Duquette, BS ’09, SpringFest 2024’s choreographer. “We’re going to put you with our music director and see what you can do.”
Past SpringFests have featured choruses and chorus lines, bagpipers and rock bands, break-dancers and Irish step dancers, singer-songwriters and stand-up comics. They’ve performed in theaters on campus and around Boston (this year’s SpringFest is at the Royale Night Club).
When the pandemic closed campus in 2020, the show still went on—online, that is. There was a strong feeling, Maloney says, that people needed SpringFest and the sense of community it provides more than ever. Cast members captured their performances on video, and the wider community collaborated on video mashups for company numbers. The 2020 hosts were two student roommates who launched the show dressed in their pajamas.
“It has been a real privilege to be a steward of this Suffolk tradition,” says PAO Director Kristen Baker. “SpringFest has changed a lot: It has had different themes and looks and people and venues, but what has remained at the core is its sense of celebration and joy.”
In 2019, Spring Fest migrated back to the spring semester. Produced by the Performing Arts Office (PAO), SpringFest remains independent from any academic school or department, a detail that speaks to its all-are-welcome inclusivity. “It doesn’t live in any of the silos,” says Kathy Maloney, MED '21, PAO’s associate director. “I think it’s one of the few truly all-encompassing events on campus.”
And experience isn’t necessarily required. “Maybe you’ve never been able to sing,” says April Duquette, BS ’09, SpringFest 2024’s choreographer. “We’re going to put you with our music director and see what you can do.”
Past SpringFests have featured choruses and chorus lines, bagpipers and rock bands, break-dancers and Irish step dancers, singer-songwriters and stand-up comics. They’ve performed in theaters on campus and around Boston (this year’s SpringFest is at the Royale Night Club).
When the pandemic closed campus in 2020, the show still went on—online, that is. There was a strong feeling, Maloney says, that people needed SpringFest and the sense of community it provides more than ever. Cast members captured their performances on video, and the wider community collaborated on video mashups for company numbers. The 2020 hosts were two student roommates who launched the show dressed in their pajamas.
“It has been a real privilege to be a steward of this Suffolk tradition,” says PAO Director Kristen Baker. “SpringFest has changed a lot: It has had different themes and looks and people and venues, but what has remained at the core is its sense of celebration and joy.”