Dear Fellow Alumni, 

I’m thrilled to extend my warmest greetings to each one of you as the inaugural Executive Chair of our newly established Stella Adler Studio Alumni Council (SASAC). It’s with immense excitement and pride that our Studio community embarks on this journey of fostering alumni growth and relations with the support, talent, and diverse expertise of the passionate alumni of SASAC.

My name is Jeremy McClelland, a proud graduate of the Summer Conservatory '19 and Day Conservatory '22. As an alumnus, I'm committed to nurturing a strong sense of community and connection among our fellow graduates, reminiscent of the bonds we cherished as students. Our beloved alma mater has played a pivotal role in shaping all our lives, both personally and professionally, and has nurtured our passion for the arts. Now, it’s our collective responsibility to give back and support the studio as well as our fellow alumni.

The formation of SASAC marks an exciting new chapter in our Studio’s history. For the first time in 75 years, there is a dedicated council focused on providing education and engagement to our alumni network. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to:

• Foster a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between the studio and its alumni community.
• Promote alumni engagement.
• Support Stella Adler Studio of Acting’s goals and initiatives.
• Continue the growth we all experienced at Adler.
• Support the institution's philanthropic endeavors and fundraising initiatives to champion the studio's growth and ensure its prosperity for the future.

While SASAC is a new endeavor, we’ve been hard at work creating and planning exciting opportunities for our community. In the short time since its inception, we’ve held a Lifelong Learning Series with talent agency KMR and renowned actor Aaron Serotsky, giving alumni a chance to learn from and connect with industry professionals. We’ve also volunteered at the NYC Runs Brooklyn Half-Marathon to raise donations for the Studio that will provide scholarships for students to attend the studio, while supporting (and hydrating) 21,000+ New Yorkers!

We have some exciting opportunities in the coming months for alumni to engage with the community, make new friends, and continue the growth we all experienced at Stella Adler Studio. Our first and biggest event I’d like to announce is our SASAC Inaugural Mixer! This mixer will be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with alumni, meet your council members of SASAC, have some drinks, and win some amazing raffle prizes! We will also have a special guest at the event who you won’t want to miss. While still in the planning phase, mark your calendars for June 8th from 7-9PM at the Court Square Theatre in Long Island City. Be sure to be on the lookout for more information as we get closer to the event – all alumni are welcome!

We’re also working on a monthly newsletter for alumni by alumni! In conjunction with the Studio’s Listings that go out every week, this newsletter will be catered to alumni. In the newsletter, there will be alumni spotlights, show and casting opportunities, fundraising events, information on the happenings at the Studio & SASAC, how you can make an impact in the alumni community, and much more!

There’s also a large international community in our alumni network, and a massive need for international alumni is the visa. Getting your visa to stay and work in the U.S. can be a daunting and overwhelming task, and we want to help. We’re currently working on providing accessible alumni mentorship, in which you can chat with current alumni who have gone through and gained a visa, as well as get information and tips on effective ways to complete the process.

We also have dedicated subcommittees in SASAC who are planning and creating other opportunities for alumni. These opportunities will cover a wide variety of topics including financial literacy as actors, branding and marketing, representation, how to pitch and produce your own work, coaching resources, and more!

This journey we’re embarking on is a long one, with years of alumni engagement and growth to come. A great way to stay in the loop is to follow the Stella Adler Studio Instagram page, check your emails, join LinkedIn, and follow other alumni on social media. The Studio’s brand new website will also have a dedicated page with all of your SASAC council members and contact information. Additionally, please feel free to reach out to sasac@stellaadler.com with any questions and how you can get involved. 

I’m incredibly inspired by the talent, dedication, and passion of our alumni community. Together, I have no doubt that we will accomplish great things and create a legacy of a strong, connected, empowered community of Stella Adler Studio alumni.

Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements and opportunities. In the meantime, feel free to reach out with any questions on how to get involved, how to stay up-to-date on activities, or how to support the studio. Myself and the rest of the council are here to serve! Thank you for your continued support, dedication, and passion for the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.

Take Care,