Alumni Profile

SCF Graduate Not Waiting in the Wings for Career

Jade Turner, a former music and theatre student at SCF, had no plans to go to a small college to start her education. Her plan was to immediately go to a private university or a performing arts school. But her budget put her on the path to SCF.

“It was the best thing that could have happened to me,” Turner said from her dressing room at the Asolo Repertory Theatre where she was recently performing in “Ragtime.” She also performed as Roxy in the production of “Roe” in March and April at the Asolo. Turner is living in New York, where she has an agent, and is auditioning for Broadway shows full time. She loves working at the Asolo and hopes to perform in other shows there as well. She’s well on her way to getting her union card, a rare accomplishment for someone straight out of college. “If you would have told me I would graduate and have booked two shows at one of the best regional repertory theatres in the country, I would have laughed at you,” Turner said. But she said her time at SCF gave her the confidence to perform and audition. An active student in the music program, she starred as Anita in SCF’s production of “West Side Story.” SCF also taught her that faculty were not just approachable, they want you to succeed. She said her vocal professor, Melodie Dickerson, is like a second mom to her. Dickerson stayed in her corner even after she graduated from SCF and transferred to the University of Tampa. And Dickerson is still in her corner today. “They were building my self-esteem, and I didn’t realize it at the time,” Turner said. Dickerson said Turner was an active student in the program and built a strong foundation at SCF. “Jade was a very valuable member of our Music Program,” Dickerson said. “She starred as Anita in West Side Story and was terrific.” Turner’s experience at SCF taught her to build relationships with her professors at the University of Tampa as well. She asked questions, took direction and tried new things. When she was assigned to audition for shows during her senior year, Turner had the confidence to sign up and complete her assignment. She was surprised when she got parts in two shows, a play and a musical. By the time she found out, she had already rented an apartment in New York. “I was lucky to have an agent who really liked me and who lived in New York,” she said.

If I went anywhere else, I wouldn’t have gotten the individual attention, which is why I am so successful.”