When Sarah Girerd came to St. Thomas University for a study abroad experience, she never thought she would change majors to musical theatre and leave her family and university in France behind.
Girerd is a fourth-year fine arts student, who came to STU to complete a one-year exchange program in her third year.
She was initially working on completing her bachelor’s in humanities and political science in France.
However, Girerd took one musical theatre prep course and changed the plans she had laid out for her.
“In France, if you want to do musical theatre, you have to go to a professional theatre school. But, it’s really hard to have a musical theatre background beforehand,” said Girerd. “Now, it’s my chance to get better at it.”
Girerd said she was grateful that she was able to take history and literature courses as well as musical theatre. This allowed her to experiment and led her to participate in a final showcase for her introductory class.
“It was the most unique thing. Everyone was supportive of each other … I was also kind of nervous about my song because it was challenging for me and it just went really great.”
Despite this showcase being her first public show since she was 12, Girerd felt encouraged by the artistic advisor of the Black Box Theatre, Tania Breen, to audition for the musical theatre program.
“I was overjoyed … but, also so sad that it was coming to an end.”
Girerd found herself in a bind as she needed to decide whether to apply to STU as a transfer student or go back to France. When she finally auditioned, she received the news that she was accepted to the program.
“It was the best news ever because it was the condition for me coming back here,” said Girerd.
When breaking the news to her parents, she was surprised when they told her to pursue whatever made her the happiest. Then, she became determined to fulfil all credit requirements to join the class of 2025 as a fine arts graduate.
“I’m only taking fine art classes this year and I’m taking seven. I have 21 hours of classes a week,” she said while laughing.
Girerd said she’s enjoying watching her progress in musical theatre and getting to perform and not rely on academic courses, highlighting that the program has given her a creative outlet she lacked before.
“[Creativity] was also in me, but it was kind of stuck there and I was like, ‘what do I do with that?’” she said.
The fine arts student said she’s planning on returning to France and cultivating a musical theatre community from all the knowledge she has gathered at STU.
“I would really love to make it more accessible to kids and teenagers,” she said. “It would be amazing to bring [musical theatre opportunities] to kids in France.”
Girerd is now working with other students in the program to premiere Groundhog Day: The Musical next February.
She said she appreciates the support and understanding from international students who, like her, have less experience but share the same drive to pursue musical theatre.
