Testa as Lady Macbeth
For Roan Katherine Testa, studying theatre at Worcester State was never about chasing Broadway, but about growing as an artist, gaining confidence in herself, and being part of a close-knit campus community. “When I was looking at universities, I wanted a program that would allow me to continue to learn as an actor without the goal of pursuing theatre professionally,” she said. She found it in WSU’s Visual and Performing Arts department, where she became one of the first students to declare a major in theatre.
A North Brookfield native who graduates this spring with degrees in theatre and English, studying theatre shaped far more than Testa’s performance skills. “I have grown not only in my acting abilities, but my confidence as well. I trust myself now to make choices and accept roles I previously didn’t think I could properly portray.” Her growth as an actor was recognized when VPA faculty selected her for the department’s annual Theatre Foundation Award.
Testa as Columbia in “The Rocky Horror Show.”
Throughout her time at Worcester State, Testa worked both on stage and off on several productions. Although she recently took on the iconic role of Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, it was last spring’s production of The Rocky Horror Show that left the deepest impression. Playing Columbia alongside her closest friends, Testa found both joy and meaning in a production she calls deeply important for its “queerness and subversive nature.”
The greatest reward of studying theatre for Testa wasn’t the applause, but the person she became through it. “I have learned so much about myself through
acting with VPA,” where she also found a strong sense of community. Her experience reinforced her belief in the importance of the arts as a vital part of culture, especially during difficult times. “Even if you don’t want a career in the arts, it’s worth studying them to broaden your horizons, talents, friendships, knowledge, and so much more.”
Testa describes her experience in the Visual and Performing Arts department as “educational, entertaining, and empowering.” Fitting for a college journey shaped by newfound confidence.
Julian Wagner came to Worcester State considering a major in sociology or psychology, but one semester in Jazz Ensemble was all it took to change his mind. Inspired by the Ensemble’s talented student musicians, Wagner decided to follow his passion for music: he declared his major in visual and performing arts with a minor in composition and music technology.
It was the “welcoming and fun environment” former professor Jeremy Cohen created in Jazz Ensemble that initially intrigued Wagner, but he soon found himself pulled into increasingly deeper levels of study, performance, and professional opportunity. Applied lessons in bass guitar with Professor Carlos Odria “taught me how to be a jazz musician.” Recognizing his student’s talent, Odria asked Wagner to substitute for the bassist in his professional group, Rioflow. Since then, he has become the group’s permanent bassist.
Playing with VPA’s ensembles gave Wagner the skills and versatility to play with different kinds of musical groups. “I learned to adapt my playing to so many different styles and a rotating cast of musicians,” he explains, which led to more professional opportunities. In addition to playing across venues with Rioflow and other groups, Wagner accompanies vocalists (including Worcester State alum Annie Wallflower) and teaches guitar, bass, drums, and piano to a roster of 40 students.
Cross-disciplinary work in his senior year also honed Wagner’s versatility as a musician. He takes particular pride in his capstone project, composing the soundtrack for Worcester State Theatre’s production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. “It was my first time composing for a play, and I had to learn how to shape music to match each scene.” The experience was central to his college experience, and he advises current and prospective VPA students to “collaborate with other students as much as possible.”
Now a working musician, Wagner reflects on his time in the program and its impact on his work life. “Most of my professional experience has been with people I met at WSU,” he says. For him, Worcester State remains the starting point of a musical community that continues to shape his professional life.
Peppler performing at Worcester State.
Before starting at Worcester State, Leominster native Lys Peppler hadn’t planned to study the arts. She intended to major in criminal justice with her sights set on a career with the FBI, but her mind changed when she stumbled upon music professor Steve Gagliastro playing the piano.
“I met Steve on my first day of college,” she remembers. “We chatted for a bit and I mentioned I play the guitar. He told me I should take advantage of the opportunities the Visual and Performing Arts department offers student musicians, like ensembles and applied lessons. That was the moment that sparked my journey.”
With Gagliastro’s encouragement, Peppler auditioned for Worcester State Theatre’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. “The show holds a special place in my heart,” she says, noting that before performing in the musical, she had never been on stage. Despite her inexperience, participating in the production changed her perspective about what she wanted to study at WSU. “From my very first time singing on stage, I knew I wanted to keep going.”
The interdisciplinary visual and performing arts major allowed Peppler to explore multiple artistic disciplines before focusing on music. Working closely with VPA faculty, Peppler built both essential competencies in music and confidence as a performer, and her vocal skills, stage presence, and music knowledge improved dramatically during her time in the program. “Professor Kyle Martin helped me develop and understand music fundamentals and theory,” she explains, “and Professor Carlos Odria helped me gain more certainty in my guitar composition and more emotion in my songs.”
It is Gagliastro, though, who Peppler credits with inspiring her to work as a professional musician. Right before graduating in December 2025, she took the first step, releasing the EP In Over My Head under the stage name Jessie Haywood. Despite the challenges of a career in the arts, she encourages students to follow their heart: “Art is what makes our brief time on this rock meaningful. If you have a passion, don’t let the world take it from you. If you have something you want to put out into the world, you should.”
