This new fellowship is designed to establish mentoring relationships between aspiring and established theatre professionals.
Maria Noriko Cabral ’21 was named one of three recipients of the inaugural Gamm Fellowship Program established for emerging artists of color.
Cabral, a Fall River, Mass. native who graduated with a degree in musical theatre, lived for many years in South Korea before moving to the United States to attend college.
“Theatre has been and always will be an integral part of my life and part of the reason I became comfortable with the idea of living in America,” Cabral says. “I hope my Gamm fellowship will help me find a job in my next stage in life, and that I can help black, indigenous people of color theatre artists grow their passions and make their dreams a reality.”
The 10-month program, in partnership with Rhode Island’s public institutions of higher education, is a paid fellowship designed to provide an immersive experience and establish mentoring relationships between aspiring and established theatre professionals. Cabral was chosen to be a fellow along with two other alums from the University of Rhode Island and the Community College of Rhode Island, respectively.
Over the course of the Gamm Theatre’s 2021-22 season, fellows will engage in all areas of creative, administrative and educational theater making. They will be advised by Kate Hanson, associate director of education at the Gamm. Additionally, each fellow has been paired with an advanced career mentor who will provide guidance about making a living in the theatre industry. They will also appear on stage in the role of townspeople in the Gamm’s season opener, “A Lie Agreed Upon.”
“We are thrilled to enrich and expand our community of artists and creators here in Rhode Island, particularly with this outstanding inaugural class of Gamm fellows, says Amy Gravell, Gamm’s managing director. She adds that the fellows were nominated by their professors and recognized for their talent, commitment and passion toward creating a life in the theater.
Tony Estrella, Gamm’s artistic director, says the new fellowship program “solidifies and formalizes our long-standing partnership with our public colleges and provides access and opportunity for graduates who can benefit from an entrée to the challenging field of professional theatre.”
While at RIC, Cabral appeared in “Marvin’s Room,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Cherry Orchard” and other productions. She interned for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, as well as the College Light Opera Company on Cape Cod.
Founded in 1984, the nonprofit Gamm Theatre is a regionally recognized, award-winning theatre and a member of the New England Area Theatre.