Sophia DiStefano
Sophia DiStefano (she/her) is a dynamic theater creator based on Long Island, New York. In May 2023, Sophia proudly became a first-generation college graduate, earning her BA in Theater Arts from Marymount Manhattan College. Throughout her studies, she honed her skills in Directing, Stage Management, and Producing while deepening her knowledge of theater history and performance. In the Fall of 2025, she will be continuing the completion of her MA in Educational Theatre P-12 with a concentration in English Education at Adelphi University. Sophia also possesses a variety of unique skills gained through workshops and training opportunities such as Flight Operation and Harness Safety, Theatrical Makeup, Audition Techniques, Intimacy Direction, Improvisational Acting, and Mixed Media Performance.
Since 2021, Sophia has served as the Drama Instructor for the Hidden Pond Day Camp each summer, where she leads daily theater activities for campers ages 3-16 and directs the annual musical production. Previous shows include Willy Wonka Jr, Matilda Jr, and a performance for HPDC's Disney Day featuring "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid. Additionally, this year, Sophia had the exciting opportunity to pioneer Revelations Dance Center’s first acting class for dancers and produce skits for the annual recital. In her time off from teaching and directing, Sophia returns to her roots as a performer and collaborates with growing theater companies such as Performers United Theatre Company to perform in cabarets in New York City. Her previous credits include, but are not limited to the Not My Type Cast Cabaret, I Want it All Cabaret, Villains of the Stage Cabaret, and Broadway Wrapped Cabaret.
Sophia’s passion for arts education, combined with her commitment to ethical performance practices, fuels her drive to create safe and inclusive environments where performers of all kinds can freely explore their talents, develop new skills, and foster confidence. Through her initiatives, she is able to bring together a community that champions one another while providing enjoyable and powerful theater experiences.
“We must all do theatre, to find out who we are, and to discover who we could become.”
- Augusto Boal
Core Values
Accessibility: The arts must be accessible to everyone. My goal is to find ways to involve individuals, no matter their financial situation, developmental stage, or personal obstacles.
Diversity: It is essential for us to utilize our platform to highlight narratives from diverse backgrounds. This strategy not only expands our understanding but also cultivates empathy for individuals whose identities are different from ours.
Transparency: Encouraging open and honest communication fosters transparency, which builds trust within our community. This trust enhances our ability to express needs, address issues, and find solutions together.
Intro to Acting Workshop at Revelations Dance Center May 2024
Matilda Jr. at the Hidden Pond Day Camp July 2024
Adaptability: Live theatre is a truly distinctive art form. Each of us has our own learning style; what resonates with me might not resonate with you, and vice versa. We adapt and progress. It's essential to embrace our mistakes, learn from them, and move forwards.
Collaboration: Collaboration is an important skill that must be at the forefront of the creative process. This approach allows us to build a stronger foundation for our performances, benefit from a variety of viewpoints, and improve our communication abilities.
Patience: Patience creates an environment for comprehension and empowerment, resulting in an enhanced quality of experience. It emphasizes the importance of the journey rather than the end result.
"I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being"
- Oscar Wilde
