Dean Guest Director, Gabrielle Carrubba, Talks About "She Loves Me."

At Dean College, The School of the Arts is performing “She Loves Me,” an intimate and heartwarming musical by Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick, being guest directed at Dean College by Gabrielle Carrubba. The musical will run from February 28 to March 3, 2024 and tickets can be purchased via the Dean College Box Office.

Gabrielle Carrubba is a well-known Broadway actor, having begun her career at age 11 when she joined the 30th Anniversary Tour of “Annie,” playing Kate and understudying Annie. Most recently she starred as Zoe in “Dear Evan Hansen.” She has also appeared on television shows such as “Law & Order: SVU,” “Dead Ringers,” and” The Avatars.” Other theater credits include American Repertory Theater and New World Stages. She is also the director of the films “Down by the Water” and “Boyhoarder.”

Q: What would you like audiences to know about the play?

Gabrielle: I want audience members to leave “She Loves Me” feeling an abundance of joy. The way these students bring this world to life is so exciting. They truly emphasize how special and timeless the show is. They really infuse it with so much love on and off stage.

Q: What has it been like working with Dean Students?

Gabrielle: I can confidently say that Dean students are some of my favorite humans I have ever met. Collectively, they are kind, passionate, and supportive of each other. They are excited to be here and are true professionals with such amazing talent. They are all such sensational performers and I truly love spending time with them as their director and friend.

Q: How did you come to be a guest director at Dean College?

Gabrielle: Dean Patsy Collins Bandes used to work at my alma mater, Boston Conservatory, where she was my teacher, stage manager, and friend while I was a student there! She had asked me if I wanted to direct here, as I had been slowly dipping my foot into the directing world in New York and had always wanted to direct at a collegiate level. So, it was truly serendipitous when she asked if I wanted to come to Franklin to do “She Loves Me.”

Q: What has been your favorite role?

Gabrielle: I think my favorite role would have to be Zoe in “Dear Evan Hansen.” She felt the closest to me. I even got to wear my own clothes during the show. Playing her felt like coming home.

Q: What advice would you give a student who wants to pursue a career in the performing arts?

Gabrielle: My best advice is to take advantage of all the resources here. You have access to studio space, practice rooms, voice teachers, peers. Find every opportunity to perform that you can, to remind yourself why you love it. You can have the greatest technical skills, but if you don’t love it, then it’s not worth doing!

The Dean College production of “She Loves Me” will take place in the Main Stage in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center at Dean College, 109 West Central Street, Franklin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with 2:00 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. To purchase tickets, visit the Dean College Box Office.