It’s been nearly four years since Solomon Hess took his final bow on stage at Trinity-Pawling during the winter production of Urinetown the Musical. The former Head Prefect is now a senior at Vassar College with a double major in drama and film and a showstopping capstone project. “From the very beginning, I was drawn to doing something unique…something a little more challenging,” he shared. “I’m involved in many different areas on campus and I wanted my capstone project to reflect that.”
With a special connection to stand-up comedy and a knack for playwriting and composing music, Hess’ project — an original stand-up comedy special, When I Grow Up — came to life. On October 5-6, 2023, after months of hard work in writing and producing the show, Solomon performed his piece to two packed houses in Vassar’s mainstage auditorium.
“The performances went really well! And although I was alone on stage, I had an awesome team behind the scenes, including a crew of 2-3 working backstage and in the booth, running sound cues and lights; a director; and a musical director,” he shared. “They helped to make it all possible.” Partnered with Morgan’s Message, Solomon’s project not only entertained but also raised funds for the nonprofit’s work in student-athlete mental health and advocacy. A night of comedy for a worthy cause.
It will likely not surprise you to learn that When I Grow Up is not Solomon’s first original production. For his Senior Independent Project (SIP) at Trinity-Pawling, he wrote, composed, and directed A Train Through the Dark, an original musical which debuted in Gardiner Theater in January 2020. The production raised a grand total of $2,734, all of which was donated to the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP).
“That was when I had my first taste of what it means to be a producer,” Solomon reflected. “Writing and composing the show was just the beginning. Then there was casting, directing, musical directing, designing the tech, marketing the performances…it meant so much to me to make sure the show went up and went up well. That SIP experience was unforgettable, and it really prepared me for my time here at Vassar.” In fact, Solomon produced a second staging of A Train Through the Dark at Vassar during his junior year. “I wanted to bring the show to life again, and with more resources and experience, we were able to raise even more money for AFSP.”
So, what’s next for this up-and-coming producer and playwright? “After graduation, I would love to take When I Grow Up to fringe festivals where I can gain exposure and make connections in the industry,” he explained. This coming January, during Vassar’s annual arts festival MODfest, Solomon will also help to produce a professional staged reading of yet another original play of his, titled The Game — a moving piece that won a 2022 Vassar playwright award.
While looking back on his capstone experience at Vassar, Solomon noted an important connection to his Trinity-Pawling SIP — and one of the many reasons he loves the performing arts. “Producing a show, no matter the scope, is a learn-by-doing experience,” he concluded. “From A Train Through the Dark to When I Grow Up, I have learned so much, overcome obstacles, and grown as a producer and a performer. After all, you have to challenge yourself to make something happen.”
We have no doubt that you will continue to do just that, Solomon. Bravo!
by Emma Quigley