{"id":128076,"date":"2026-02-05T12:02:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T17:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/?post_type=bu-article&p=128076"},"modified":"2026-02-05T12:05:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T17:05:44","slug":"beyond-the-classroom-thalia-gerloff","status":"publish","type":"bu-article","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cfa\/news\/articles\/2026\/beyond-the-classroom-thalia-gerloff\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Classroom: Thalia Gerloff (CFA’27)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA one-day rehearsal and performance: My experience reading a new work in New York City\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In CFA\u2019s Beyond the Classroom Series, music, theatre, and visual arts students at BU share their professional work experiences. These Terriers express how the resources at BU prepared them for success beyond the classroom.<\/em><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n
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February 5, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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Beyond the Classroom: Thalia Gerloff (CFA’27)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A recent rehearsal and evening performance for Boston University acting major<\/a> Thalia Gerloff<\/strong> (CFA’27) was a little different than her regular school and rehearsal schedule. Instead of being on Commonwealth Avenue and in BU School of Theatre<\/a>‘s acting and movement studios, Thalia found herself (with permission from her professors to miss class for a day<\/em>) in New York City. There, she read the lead role of Erin in the new play COURT 4, by award-winning director and BU School of Theatre Professor of Directing, Wendy Goldberg<\/a><\/strong>, and produced by the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

COURT 4 is a project that stems from a docuseries about competitive junior tennis, TOP CLASS TENNIS<\/a>, which gives an inside look into the demanding world of junior tennis. The series aired in 2024 and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Goldberg, who grew up a junior tennis player, created and executive-produced the series, combining her two passions together: directing and tennis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In CFA’s Beyond the Classroom <\/em>series, Thalia shares her experience collaborating with Goldberg, who first noticed Thalia when she saw her perform in BU School of Theatre’s production of Mercutio Loves Romeo Loves Juliet Loves<\/em>, directed by MFA Directing major Shalee Cole Maule\u00f3n<\/strong> (CFA’26). Thalia also touches upon how the skills she’s gained at BU helped her prepare for this dynamic opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Left to right: BU acting student Thalia Gerloff (CFA’27), tennis sportscaster and former player Mary Carillo, actress Andrea Cirie, actor and playwright Madeline Rouverol, and BU professor of directing Wendy Goldberg. Photo by Jon Armstrong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Q&<\/span>A<\/h2>

WITH THALIA GERLOFF (CFA’27)<\/h4><\/div>\n

CFA:<\/span> Tell us more about Erin, the lead role of COURT 4. <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thalia:<\/span> Erin is a 15-year-old tennis player. She\u2019s grappling with the fact that
she\u2019s good, not great, so likely doesn\u2019t have a future playing professionally, despite devoting her whole life to the sport. I had to help bring this character to life and work alongside Wendy to make sure her vision was being met.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CFA:<\/span> What are some highlights of this experience for you?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thalia:<\/span> This was my first paid theatrical work. I had only done film before (watch Summer of 69<\/em> on Hulu for Thalia Gerloff Jumpscare). So I\u2019m really proud of how far I\u2019ve come in the world of theater! Since COURT 4 is about tennis, we had Mary Carillo in the room, a tennis sportscaster and former player. She helped provide insight into the world of tennis, and she also took part in the reading. It was such an honor to get to work alongside both her and Wendy Goldberg, who are both so experienced in their respective fields.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CFA:<\/span> Did any resources at CFA or BU help you prepare for success? <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thalia:<\/span> I\u2019ve now done four new work readings at BU, which definitely helped me prepare for this reading. Most recently, I was in Birds of Prey<\/em>, written by Eva Sheehy-Moss (CFA’26), directed by Gregg Wiggans<\/a> (CFA’25). I\u2019ve gotten better at the tight turnaround between getting a script for the first time and presenting it to an audience.

Additionally, it\u2019s such a privilege to get to work with the playwright in the room. My experience doing new works has helped me to take advantage of that privilege and what types of questions to ask the writer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CFA:<\/span> How does the coursework at CFA connect with this type of work? <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thalia:<\/span> During the rehearsal process for this reading, I used techniques from Christine Hamel<\/a>\u2019s Voice & Speech 5 class, as well as her Chekhov class.

I was able to tap into disappointment and longing, something Erin struggles with in COURT 4, using a more psychophysical approach. Being in Christine\u2019s Chekhov class last semester prepared me for this, as I had to experience these same emotions as Nina in The Seagull<\/em>.

I\u2019ve found Christine\u2019s classes to be extremely helpful for me, as she\u2019s taught me how to
experience harder emotions in a rehearsal room without carrying these feelings with me the rest of the day. It\u2019s much more sustainable than the way I assumed acting should be.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Top image: Thalia in Birds of Prey<\/em>. Bottom (left): the cast of The Seagull<\/em>; Thalia in Mercutio Loves Romeo Loves Juliet Loves<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CFA:<\/span> In what ways do you think this career opportunity has helped you prepare for your work beyond BU?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thalia:<\/span> I feel more confident working with experienced actors! It\u2019s always daunting working with people who aren\u2019t in college, because I know their resum\u00e9s are far more robust than mine. This is the first time that I feel my training at BU has gotten me to a place where I feel I can hold my own (even though I still have a lot to learn).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CFA:<\/span> What did you learn about yourself?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thalia:<\/span> Apply yourself fully to every opportunity you get! You never know who will be in the audience and remember you for a future opportunity.

Also, always remember to check a car before leaving it. Right after the reading, I left my phone in an Uber. I cried. Shout out to the kindness of strangers for mailing it back to me.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CFA:<\/span> Any advice for current CFA students beginning this type of process?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thalia:<\/span> Your training at BU has 100% prepared you for this kind of work. Don\u2019t underestimate yourself; all our training here is to enhance your toolkit, so use it!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Your training at BU has 100% prepared you for this kind of work. Don\u2019t underestimate yourself; all our training here is to enhance your toolkit, so use it!<\/div>