Meet the Inaugural Class of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre

This fall, the Division of Theatre at SMU Meadows will welcome an exciting new addition: the inaugural cohort of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre. The 12 students who make up the Class of 2030 were selected through a highly competitive national audition process and will become the first group of students to pursue this new Musical Theatre degree track, joining the Division of Theatre's Acting and Theatre Studies programs.

"I could not be more proud of this incredible group from all over the U.S.," says Joel Ferrell, director of the Sexton Institute. "These young artists are from New York, New Jersey, Iowa, California, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Kansas, and more, and we look forward to welcoming them to campus."

Designed to prepare the next generation of musical theatre artists, the program combines conservatory-level training in acting, singing and dance with academic coursework, performance opportunities and mentorship from accomplished faculty and industry professionals.

Below, meet the 12 students who will help launch this exciting new chapter for the Division of Theatre and the Meadows School of the Arts.

Dylan Baer, a Los Angeles native, is a Jerry Herman Best Actor nominee with more than a decade of musical theatre experience. He plays guitar and piano, trained at Interlochen, and competed nationally with his high school a cappella group, Unstrumental. Baer is honored to join SMU's inaugural Musical Theatre class.

Sofia Bornia, from West Palm Beach, FL, is excited to join SMU's inaugural Musical Theatre class. She studied Musical Theatre at Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, with credits including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, A Chorus Line, The Prom, West Side Story, and Something Rotten!

Sherlicia Cariolét is a New York City native and performer currently based in Austin, TX. Her credits include Nautica in Bring It On with Zilker Theatre Productions, Judy Haynes in White Christmas at The Georgetown Palace, and Beehive, The Musical with TexArts.

Harrison Dunker is a tenor from California and is thrilled to join SMU’s inaugural Musical Theatre class. Some of his favorite credits include Hermes in Hadestown: Teen Edition, Damian in Mean Girls, Jack in Into the Woods, and Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He also enjoys choir, baking, travel and concerts.

Will Hurtt is from Sacramento, CA, where he performed roles including Damian in Mean Girls, Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages, Sam in Mamma Mia!, and Billy Flynn in Chicago. Hurtt is very excited to be part of SMU's inaugural Musical Theatre class and to grow with this cohort.

Hannah Lee comes to SMU from New York and is thrilled to begin this chapter in the inaugural Musical Theatre program. She looks forward to discovering new opportunities, meeting collaborators and growing as an artist. Lee is grateful to Joel Ferrell and Kimberly Grigsby for their warmth and welcome.

Lacey Loocke is from Fulshear, TX, and is thrilled to join SMU's Musical Theatre program. Her favorite roles include Amy March in Kate Hamill's Little Women, Rapunzel in Into the Woods and Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls. Loocke is grateful for this opportunity and excited for the year ahead.

James McGinnis, from Chalmette, LA, loves how theatre brings people together and allows stories to connect on a deeper level. Through performing, McGinnis has found confidence, community, and creativity, and is excited to keep growing at SMU as a thoughtful storyteller.

Olivia O’Donnell is from West Hartford, CT, where she spent all four years of high school deeply involved in the theatre program. She recently performed as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family. Olivia is excited to pursue her passions at SMU and help launch the inaugural Musical Theatre class this fall.

Aiden Olson is from Topeka, KS, and brings a lifelong love of the arts to SMU. Favorite credits include Urinetown and Secretary William Russell in Gore Vidal's The Best Man. He is eager to learn, collaborate, and help build the inaugural Musical Theatre cohort with curiosity, humor and an open heart.

Audrey Seneli arrives from Bettendorf, IA, ready for life as a Mustang. Her credits include Anya in Anastasia and Cinderella in Cinderella, with state and regional solo honors, show choir leadership, student government service, and varsity tennis. Seneli is grateful for her family, mentors and this new artistic SMU home.

Kendal Walls from Montclair, NJ, is delighted to return to her Texas roots and her mother's alma mater. She dreams of performing onstage and onscreen, and also loves baking, crafts, crochet, sewing, fitness, matcha, and pop, folk, and worship music.