CAitlyn Cummings
Who are you and what significant contributions have you made to the organization?
Hi! My name is Caitlyn Cummings and I graduated with my Doctorate in Pharmacy from St. John’s in 2016. My freshman year I saw the Chappell Players were holding auditions for the musical Rent and had always wanted to do musical theater as a drummer. After inquiring about student musicians for the pit, the rest is history! I was lucky enough to perform with the Chappell Players in their Fall musicals from 2010-2012. I played drums/percussion for Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown
How was the transition from college to the real world? How was life after graduation?
After graduating from pharmacy school, I pursued a pharmacy residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Residency was a really good transition for my career path after college because it was a year of on-the-job training in a clinical pharmacy capacity. It also afforded me the opportunity to be connected to St. John’s by precepting three St. John’s pharmacy students, returning to campus to complete a teaching certificate, and coming back for alumni events. After I graduated my residency, I stayed on at LIJMC as a clinical pharmacist in a brand new role where I work directly with patients and with the endocrine service. What helped the transition to the real world was my Catholic faith and having a good support system! There were definitely challenges but rather than looking at them as roadblocks, my best advice is to view them as opportunities!
Did being involved in the Chappell Players prepare you for life after college? How so?
Yes! Being involved with the Chappell Players helped prepare me for life after college. I went outside my comfort zone to try-out for Rent and ended up performing in my first musical with all hired musicians! It taught me a lot about facing challenges, working hard, and seizing new opportunities. I also gained more musical experience which has helped me continue to grow and diversify as a musician.
What is your favorite CPTG memory or performance?
My favorite CPTG memory was learning the actual ending to Little Shop of Horrors. Had a good laugh with the band because we had one show left and I had no idea that all of the main characters were eaten by the plant. (In my defense, it was a heavy drum part during that scene so I couldn’t look behind me!). Also, the closing performances were always so special for each musical I played in!
Have you been able to remain involved with theatre as much as you hoped/wanted?
I previously was doing music for an improv theatre troupe for a few years in college but I haven’t been as involved with theatre as much as I had wanted to. Luckily I have stayed very active playing the drums/percussion in various capacities. The greatest joy I have musically is playing djembe for mass every Sunday, as well as drums in Catholic worship bands. The last two summers I have traveled to Florida, Connecticut, and various parts of upstate NY playing music for teenagers on retreats. I continue to play in symphonic bands, orchestras, marching bands, and open mics. My boyfriend and I even combined our love of faith and music and started an event at our local coffeehouse where we perform and invite guests musicians to perform Christian or uplifting music.
Do you have any advice for Chappell Players going through college or those who have recently graduated?
College goes by quick so don’t forget to breathe, enjoy the little moments, and laugh often :) Be kind to yourself and to one another. And if things don’t go your way, have faith and don’t lose hope! Something great is just around the corner!
Hi! My name is Caitlyn Cummings and I graduated with my Doctorate in Pharmacy from St. John’s in 2016. My freshman year I saw the Chappell Players were holding auditions for the musical Rent and had always wanted to do musical theater as a drummer. After inquiring about student musicians for the pit, the rest is history! I was lucky enough to perform with the Chappell Players in their Fall musicals from 2010-2012. I played drums/percussion for Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown
How was the transition from college to the real world? How was life after graduation?
After graduating from pharmacy school, I pursued a pharmacy residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Residency was a really good transition for my career path after college because it was a year of on-the-job training in a clinical pharmacy capacity. It also afforded me the opportunity to be connected to St. John’s by precepting three St. John’s pharmacy students, returning to campus to complete a teaching certificate, and coming back for alumni events. After I graduated my residency, I stayed on at LIJMC as a clinical pharmacist in a brand new role where I work directly with patients and with the endocrine service. What helped the transition to the real world was my Catholic faith and having a good support system! There were definitely challenges but rather than looking at them as roadblocks, my best advice is to view them as opportunities!
Did being involved in the Chappell Players prepare you for life after college? How so?
Yes! Being involved with the Chappell Players helped prepare me for life after college. I went outside my comfort zone to try-out for Rent and ended up performing in my first musical with all hired musicians! It taught me a lot about facing challenges, working hard, and seizing new opportunities. I also gained more musical experience which has helped me continue to grow and diversify as a musician.
What is your favorite CPTG memory or performance?
My favorite CPTG memory was learning the actual ending to Little Shop of Horrors. Had a good laugh with the band because we had one show left and I had no idea that all of the main characters were eaten by the plant. (In my defense, it was a heavy drum part during that scene so I couldn’t look behind me!). Also, the closing performances were always so special for each musical I played in!
Have you been able to remain involved with theatre as much as you hoped/wanted?
I previously was doing music for an improv theatre troupe for a few years in college but I haven’t been as involved with theatre as much as I had wanted to. Luckily I have stayed very active playing the drums/percussion in various capacities. The greatest joy I have musically is playing djembe for mass every Sunday, as well as drums in Catholic worship bands. The last two summers I have traveled to Florida, Connecticut, and various parts of upstate NY playing music for teenagers on retreats. I continue to play in symphonic bands, orchestras, marching bands, and open mics. My boyfriend and I even combined our love of faith and music and started an event at our local coffeehouse where we perform and invite guests musicians to perform Christian or uplifting music.
Do you have any advice for Chappell Players going through college or those who have recently graduated?
College goes by quick so don’t forget to breathe, enjoy the little moments, and laugh often :) Be kind to yourself and to one another. And if things don’t go your way, have faith and don’t lose hope! Something great is just around the corner!
