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Rachel Semigran

Biography

Profile: Rachel Semigran had a great career at Drexel University in Philadelphia.  Looking at her resume she accomplished quite a bit both on and off campus.  The question is when did she have time to sleep?  Arriving at Drexel in 2005, Rachel not only scored a nearly perfect GPA, but she did this while working to support herself and she also found the time to volunteer with various community organizations.  “I took on a full course load, multiple extra-curricular activities and 15-25 hours of work per week. I performed in 14 shows at Drexel. Along with my experience in performance, I have been an assistant stage manager, costumes assistant, and props manager as well as a production assistant in film and I’ve done voice-over work.”  The hard work has paid off for this brilliant and talented woman.  It’s said that “youth is wasted on the young.”  Whoever said that was not talking about Rachel Semigran for she didn’t waste a minute during her undergrad days.

Inspiration: Rachel said she owes her love of theater to John Doyle of Norristown Area High School who is also the artistic director of Iron Age Theatre. “John mentored me throughout high school both in and out of the classroom.” Because of Rachel’s involvement with his theater company, great art was made accessible to her. “Learning from John and working with him inspired me to not only pursue artistic endeavors, but to teach and pay it forward.” Rachel said she also owes a great deal to Abioseh Porter of Drexel University. “The first day I had class with him he pulled me aside and said, ‘Rachel, I expect a great deal from you.’ He pushed me intellectually and challenged me to always do better. Because of Dr. Porter I learn passionately.”

Aspiration: Once Rachel earns her M.A., she hopes to go on for her doctorate.  Her eventual goal is to be a theater artist, educator, and community organizer. 

Making a Difference: Rachel’s dedication to community service, women’s issues, and aiding vulnerable populations is a part of her everyday existence. During her years at Drexel and even before, Rachel participated and led various fundraising activities for the Iron Age Theater Company and remains a dedicated after-school drama volunteer at a local high school.  Also an active volunteer with AIDS Walk Philly and the American Cancer Society, Rachel topped off her senior year of undergraduate study by producing the Vagina Monologues which raised thousands of dollars for various women’s causes.

Accolades: In 2010, Rachel was awarded the General Electric College Bowl Award for her excellent academic record as an English major and theatre minor.  And as a senior with a GPA over 3.9, Rachel graduated Summa Cum Laude and was recognized as having achieved the second highest GPA in her major.  Drexel also presented her with the institution’s Performing Arts Scholarship and she earned Dean’s List recognition every semester.

Interesting Fact: Rachel is distantly related to Nathan of “Nathan’s Hot Dogs” and the Entenmanns of “Entenmann’s Bakery.”

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