Dedication plus hard work leads to opportunity for theatre major

If you’ve been around Albion College for the past four years, you probably have a good idea about Seph Cartier’s ’26 interests.

“I have been a part of every Albion College theatre production since I was a freshman, including our current production, Our Town,” Cartier said. “I have acted in 11 plays here, done carpentry for six (master carpenter for two), done costume work for four, done some sort of sound design for two, done dramaturgy for one, and directed one. I have had many hats on, most of the time at the same time as other hats, during my time here.”

Seph’s involvement with the Theatre Department went next level during the fall with the department’s production of Annie Baker’s The Aliens.

“I had never directed a play before The Aliens, it was my directorial debut,” Cartier said. “I wanted a challenge with my first show, so I chose something that a lot of people don’t do and that has a writing style that’s particularly difficult to translate onto the stage effectively.”

Seph credits the opportunity to direct a play to his diligent support of the department and his courses.

“Opportunity comes about in many ways because of who you talk to and how you show your stuff,” Cartier said. “The department had seen me put in the time and work for years, so as my capstone they felt it appropriate I get to direct, as it was also what I wanted above all else.”

Whether we next see Cartier on Broadway or in a courtroom, Seph said his Albion experience will have been key to his future.

“The Aliens acts as a culmination of my undergrad education. It’s my capstone, and a testament to experiential learning,” Cartier said. “This department has had a ‘just go and do it’ attitude about the arts for as long as I’ve been here, and directing lets you bring knowledge and creativity from all of the different parts of theatre together to craft a show alongside some other very talented people.”

“For the future, I hope to do something in theatre. I’ve done so much that I’m going to cast out as many lines as possible and hope one gets a bite,” Cartier said. “ I (hopefully) have a carpentry gig lined up after graduation, but am also applying to graduate schools for acting and playwriting, law schools, and other things.”

Seph Cartier is a senior majoring in theatre with a focus on acting, playwriting and carpentry with a minor in English to support literary study and playwriting. Cartier comes from Ortonville, Michigan, and graduated from Goodrich High School in Goodrich, Michigan.