Aspiring New York performer returns to work with local youth
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer
Region - Six years after graduating from Hudson High School, Sarah Worrest said good-bye to her plants and her busy New York City life for a few weeks and returned to Hudson to direct a summer performing arts program.

(l to r) Shay Gibson, Olivia Kotosopoulis and Sarah Worrest discuss staging issues July 5 during rehearsal. PHOTO/ANGELA GREINER

Worrest stayed in New York City to pursue a full-time career in the performing arts after graduating from New York University with a degree in theater and a concentration in direct- ing. She currently works for a nonprofit performing arts organization to provide the students at schools in New York City with visual and performing art experiences.

"Kids in New York City do not have the opportunities that I had," Worrest said.

She explained that she became involved in the performing arts in elementary school and continued through high school participating in chorus, theater dance and advanced performing arts programs. She was also actively involved in the Art Alliance theater performances and summer workshops.

"There is so much art and culture that can be absorbed, but children in the Bronx and Queens do not see these programs, like we did in Hudson," Worrest said. "It is rewarding to see the kids in the school and watch their reactions to the performers."

By night, Worrest acts, directs or writes productions for off-Broadway audiences. She has performed in several off-Broadway productions, including a recent performance in the world premiere of "Truce on Uranus," produced by Dreamscape Theater Company. At this point in her career she would like to both act and direct, she said.

In addition, Worrest has worked in several production positions. Included in her professional adventures is a two-month Asian tour as the assistant company manager with the international cast of the Broadway production of "West Side Story."

She also has been involved in the "New York International Fringe Festival," the largest multiarts performance in North America, with 200 companies from all over the world performing for 16 days. Worrest explained that she was the co-writer of the script for the "The Burning Cities Project," which was performed at the Fringe Festival in summer 2006.

For six summers, Worrest has returned to share her passion with children and teenagers in the Metrowest area, through the Arts Alliance. She said it was also a great way to stay in touch with the friends she made through the arts alliance.

"I have been performing in Hudson since I was 12," she said. "I still have a lot of good friends I met doing these shows," she said.

She explained that the performers in New York can be very cynical and it is nice to work with the students before theater becomes a job and they lose some of the fun.

"I would like to keep directing young people," Worrest said.

Worrest is home for just enough time to direct the local high school students in a full-length production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie." The show will be performed Friday July 27 at 7 p.m. and Saturday July 28 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Hudson High School. For tickets, contact the Arts Alliance at 978-562-1646 or www.upwitharts.com.