Caroline Lynch Desmarais ’24 on Life in the Theatre

Caroline Lynch Desmarais ’24 is making her mark in the professional theater world, crediting her time on campus with shaping both her artistry and her career.

Graduating summa cum laude in 2024 with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Environmental Justice, Caroline was also a member of the Honors Program, and an active performer during her time at Montclair.

A Day in the Life of a Performer

“While it depends on the type of show I am doing, the most important thing I must do is ensure I get enough sleep after a late performance,” Caroline says. Her performance days will then start with hydrating with plenty of water, drinking a hot beverage and utilizing a vocal steamer, rolling out muscle areas of tension, eating a protein-packed meal to boost energy, and getting in a workout to align her body physically for the day.

On two-show days, that preparation intensifies: “After my workout I’ll do a vocal warm-up while putting my hair in wig preparation before I head to the theatre,” she explains. “Once at the theatre, I’ll then do a proper physical warm-up, finish perfecting my stage makeup, put on my microphone, wig, and costume, and complete whatever other tasks I have deemed necessary to guarantee I am ready for that specific show.”

Many of these habits were shaped during her time at Montclair. “These daily practices have been developed through the lessons I learned from my professors” she says, including Eren Sevasti, Lisa Harvie, Mark Hardy, and Sharon Milanese.

Outside of performance, she makes time to explore. “If I only have one evening performance, I love to utilize my time exploring whatever city I am in,” she says. “It is important to me to make wherever I am living for a particular contract feels as much like home as possible.”

Building a Career

“My training in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Montclair State University was instrumental in establishing the career I now have,” Caroline says. “I found my voice in ways I couldn’t have even imagined.”

She credits Peter Flynn with helping her grow as an actor and collaborator, while her studies in the John J. Cali School of Music strengthened her musicianship. Daily ballet classes alongside dance majors refined her technique, while Clay James and Lori McCann helped her develop her voice as a choreographer. Her work assisting Mark Hardy with Musical Theatre auditions strengthened her confidence as a leader.

The Power of Connection

For Caroline, one of the most meaningful parts of her journey has been seeing how college relationships evolve over time. “It is a wildly exciting and rewarding thing to witness how the connections you make in college blossom into consistent working relationships in the industry,” she says.

But she emphasizes that success goes beyond networking. “It’s not just about who you know; it’s about being a kind, hard-working, collaborative individual who fosters professional relationship through being a dependable artist.”

Advice for Students

Her advice to current students it to embrace every moment of their time at Montclair. “Enjoy this time to grow and learn about yourself as both a human and performing artist,” she says. “Soak up the time you have…because the time will fly.”

She also encourages students to explore beyond their primary field of study. “Take advantage of all of the academic pursuits beyond the realm of the arts,” she says. “It will only enrich your wealth of knowledge as an artist.”

Story by Web and Digital Media Manager Alexandra Thelin Blackowski