Sarah Goncalves
as featured in April 2019 newsletter
This month we were lucky enough to catch up with former Chappie, Sarah Goncalves. Sarah graduated from St. John’s in 2010 with a BA in English and minors in Creative Writing and Psychology. During her time as a Chappell Player, she wore many hats, including performer, writer, director, and producer. She was also an Alpha Psi Omega member and Secretary of the Executive Board (2009–2010). We asked her about her experiences in Chappell Players and for any advice she had on theatre and life in general. Here's what she had to say:
How was the transition from college to the real world? How was life after graduation?
After graduation, I received a Graduate Assistantship with the St. John’s English Department and earned my MA in English in 2012. While grappling with what I should do with my life, I worked as an adjunct professor, where I wore fake glasses just to look older than my students. After this brief stint, I bounced around a few jobs in marketing and publishing that took me from Long Island to Queens, to New York City, to North Jersey. Currently, I’m a technical writer and social media manager for a content marketing agency in Morristown. In between writing about linear bearings, ball valves and other topics that make me a hit at cocktail parties, I developed a passion for health and fitness. I’m a Certified Personal Trainer and USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach. I’m also working on a certification in fitness nutrition. Helping people move and improve their physical wellbeing brings me a lot of joy.
Did being involved in the Chappell Players prepare you for life after college? How so?
Being a Chappell Player gave me a lot of confidence. Growing up, I was a quiet, nerdy kid—always with my nose in a book. Performing onstage gave me permission to act outside the boxes I had created for myself. This, along with meeting new people and eventually assuming leadership roles within the organization, helped me come out of my shell. I also met some of my best friends during these years—and we remain close friends to this day.
What is your favorite CPTG memory or performance?
One of my favorite memories was when my sophomore-year roommate, Amy Ziolkowski (now Hart), and I were bothcast in a duet in the 9th Annual Cabaret for Charity: Songs You Hate to Love. Since we lived together, we practiced the song (Man! I Feel Like a Woman) in our dorm room every chance we got—belting Shania into hairbrushes. Amy even taught me how to walk in heels so I could navigate the set without breaking my neck. The performance, and everything leading up to it brought us closer together as friends. For whatever reason, the production team deemed us worthy of a country duet—and I’m grateful they did.
Have you been able to remain involved with theatre as much as you hoped/wanted?
After earning my graduate degree, I was involved in launching BIG Theatre Company with other former Chappell Players. Our first few productions were accepted into the New York International Fringe Festival, including a full-length, original play I wrote in 2014—Destiny is Judd Nelson. Seeing my story come to life onstage in front of hundreds of people was an incredible, yet terrifying experience I’ll never forget. While I’ve taken a step back from theatre in recent years, I’ll be forever grateful for the memories and friendships I made.
What is professional theatre like compared to what you did with the Chappell Players?
Looking back, there are more similarities than differences. The talent pool is larger, but the passion is still palpable. Hell Week also doesn’t change much. If you’re not gluing 37 buttons onto a costume surrounded by other paint-splattered, caffeinated bodies, you’re doing it wrong.
Do you have any advice for Chappell Players going through college or those who have recently graduated?
Life isn’t just about the milestones; it’s about the stepping stones. You’ll never have everything figured out, and you’ll just cause yourself unnecessary stress if you try (believe me). At the expense of sounding like a front porch-sitting curmudgeon, we live in a world that bases value on social media likes and loud, disingenuous internet presence. It’s easy to get caught up in the artificial hype and compare yourself to others’ figurative and literal timelines. Don’t.
Be kind to yourself. Take time for yourself. Breathe and reflect. Go outside. Move your body. Do things that give you joy—however small. Even if it’s singing into hairbrushes.
How was the transition from college to the real world? How was life after graduation?
After graduation, I received a Graduate Assistantship with the St. John’s English Department and earned my MA in English in 2012. While grappling with what I should do with my life, I worked as an adjunct professor, where I wore fake glasses just to look older than my students. After this brief stint, I bounced around a few jobs in marketing and publishing that took me from Long Island to Queens, to New York City, to North Jersey. Currently, I’m a technical writer and social media manager for a content marketing agency in Morristown. In between writing about linear bearings, ball valves and other topics that make me a hit at cocktail parties, I developed a passion for health and fitness. I’m a Certified Personal Trainer and USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach. I’m also working on a certification in fitness nutrition. Helping people move and improve their physical wellbeing brings me a lot of joy.
Did being involved in the Chappell Players prepare you for life after college? How so?
Being a Chappell Player gave me a lot of confidence. Growing up, I was a quiet, nerdy kid—always with my nose in a book. Performing onstage gave me permission to act outside the boxes I had created for myself. This, along with meeting new people and eventually assuming leadership roles within the organization, helped me come out of my shell. I also met some of my best friends during these years—and we remain close friends to this day.
What is your favorite CPTG memory or performance?
One of my favorite memories was when my sophomore-year roommate, Amy Ziolkowski (now Hart), and I were bothcast in a duet in the 9th Annual Cabaret for Charity: Songs You Hate to Love. Since we lived together, we practiced the song (Man! I Feel Like a Woman) in our dorm room every chance we got—belting Shania into hairbrushes. Amy even taught me how to walk in heels so I could navigate the set without breaking my neck. The performance, and everything leading up to it brought us closer together as friends. For whatever reason, the production team deemed us worthy of a country duet—and I’m grateful they did.
Have you been able to remain involved with theatre as much as you hoped/wanted?
After earning my graduate degree, I was involved in launching BIG Theatre Company with other former Chappell Players. Our first few productions were accepted into the New York International Fringe Festival, including a full-length, original play I wrote in 2014—Destiny is Judd Nelson. Seeing my story come to life onstage in front of hundreds of people was an incredible, yet terrifying experience I’ll never forget. While I’ve taken a step back from theatre in recent years, I’ll be forever grateful for the memories and friendships I made.
What is professional theatre like compared to what you did with the Chappell Players?
Looking back, there are more similarities than differences. The talent pool is larger, but the passion is still palpable. Hell Week also doesn’t change much. If you’re not gluing 37 buttons onto a costume surrounded by other paint-splattered, caffeinated bodies, you’re doing it wrong.
Do you have any advice for Chappell Players going through college or those who have recently graduated?
Life isn’t just about the milestones; it’s about the stepping stones. You’ll never have everything figured out, and you’ll just cause yourself unnecessary stress if you try (believe me). At the expense of sounding like a front porch-sitting curmudgeon, we live in a world that bases value on social media likes and loud, disingenuous internet presence. It’s easy to get caught up in the artificial hype and compare yourself to others’ figurative and literal timelines. Don’t.
Be kind to yourself. Take time for yourself. Breathe and reflect. Go outside. Move your body. Do things that give you joy—however small. Even if it’s singing into hairbrushes.
