About the Staff

Dana Knox is the Manager for College Theater and Director of the First-Year Arts Program at Harvard University.  He oversees all theater activity for the Office for the Arts (OFA), and collaborates with leadership of the Theater, Dance & Media (TDM) program and the Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club (HRDC) to mount theater in venues all over campus.  He was on the opening team of Farkas Hall, formerly the New College Theater, and was the departmental Producer for the launch of the TDM Program for four years.  Dana has also spent 6 years working with Broadway in Boston as Assistant Theater Manager for the Boston Opera House (2004 opening team), and House Manager for the Colonial Theater.  He was Lecturer and Administrator for the Boston University School of Theater where he also received his MFA in Production Management.  He has worked in all disciplines of theater making, and has also studied dance, studio art, and music (piano and voice).

Dara (pronounced "dare-uh") is the Administrative Assistant for Dance at the Harvard Dance Center and the Assistant Director of the First-Year Arts Program. Dara is a recent alum of Harvard College, where she studied History & Literature, Educational Studies, and made sure to make art part of her learning, growing, and joy both in and outside of the classroom. No stranger to the arts at Harvard, Dara spent her four years running—both figuratively and literally—with the Harvard University Band; elevating the importance of confidence, community, and creativity with CityStep and its middle school participants; and finding new avenues to support artists and their art as a Student Production Assistant in the Office for the Arts.

Dara is equally no stranger to FAP, where she happily began her own undergraduate career “breaking the ice” and was (and forever will be) thankful to have continued her involvement with the program as a Creative Writing Proctor for her junior and senior year summers.

The co-recipient of the 2022 Robert E. Levi Arts Prize for efforts and energies devoted to arts administration and the art-making community, Dara is thrilled to apply her academic, co-curricular, and personal passion for all things art to her professional roles, and she is overjoyed and deeply honored to be able to share in this year’s FAP! She can’t wait to cheer on (and gas up) the Proctor Team, learn from the Resident and guest artists, director-duo it up with Dana, and get to know, support, and be inspired by this special first-year class at such a special beginning point of their college adventures!

Hiya! I'm Selorna, a senior from Ripon, California (The Almond Capital of the World) living in Winthrop House studying neuroscience — I'm so excited to meet all of you! I love all things arts and am most involved in ballet and technical theater on campus! I also write for the Arts board of The Harvard Crimson and take photos for the Crimson as well! You'll likely see me running between ballet rehearsals, build calls for musicals, pitch meetings at the Crimson, and my classes. Ask me about dancing at Harvard, how to get into technical theater (I'll tell you the story of how I got bamboozled into it), or how to balance STEM and arts (super easy at Harvard)! Reach out to me over email (selornaackuayi@college.harvard.edu), or over Instagram! (@selorna.a)

Favorite color: Periwinkle

Favorite song:  Crosswords by Olivia Dean

'Max' rhymes with 'relax,' 'cracks,' 'stacks,' 'backs,' 'thumbtacks,' and 'plaques.' Max does not rhyme with 'Windex.' This is not indicative of his personality. These are just facts.

Disclaimer: Max did not upload a bio, so Adam took 'creative liberties,' a phrase which, notably, also does not rhyme with 'Max.'

I'm Em, a rising senior in Winthrop House studying Human Developmental & Regenerative Biology! I am deeply involved with tech theater on campus - I mostly stage manage shows, with some dabbling in tech producing and props design! I'm also currently co-president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club, which is our umbrella theater organization on campus. I absolutely love doing theater - I started out acting, costume designing, and playwriting in high school, then I fell in love with stage management through the First-Year Musical. When I manage to claw back some free time, I'm also an avid baker and cook, I do cross stitch/embroidery, and I love playing D&D! I'm originally from Fairfax County in Northern Virginia, so please let me gush about the Smithsonians (I had a rude awakening when I moved to Cambridge and learned that most museums charge an entry fee)! Feel free to email me at any time at ebarnes@college.harvard.edu or DM me on Instagram @_what.a.dilemma to talk about theater, dining hall hacks, and my latest adventures in gamifying wellness!

“Guilty pleasure” art piece: Phineas and Ferb. I will binge seasons at a time when I just need to relax.

Spirit vegetable: rainbow swiss chard :)

Hey FAPpers! My name is Joe Bradley, and I’m a senior studying astrophysics and music. I live in Currier House, but when I don’t feel like walking to the quad you can catch me sleeping underneath a grand piano in a Paine Hall practice room. I music direct the Harvard Callbacks, one of the many acappella groups on campus, and I have music directed a few theater productions through the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club. On my own, I compose, write, and produce songs, so hit me up if you want help recording/producing some music! If you see me in the wild I will (1) have an iced coffee, (2) be listening to music too loudly to hear anything else, and (3) be hastily on my way to rejoin society from the quad; so don’t be afraid to flag me down and say hi! I am beyond excited to learn from all of your approaches to your art forms, and Harvard is an incredible place to explore and create what makes you happy. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions! my number: (860) 501-7491—can’t wait to meet you!

Favorite grain product: Oatmeal

Favorite color: The color of mountains off in the distance beyond a few layers of hazy sky.

Elio (he/they) is your friendly neighborhood '25 FAP proctor! He's are super excited to be returning to proctor for a 3rd time… Like super super excited. Elio is from Salt Lake City originally, and you can generally find him looking at pictures of sharks or performing with Harvard's amazing theater programs! He loves theater, music, dance and visual arts, and sharks, and FAP of course. A fun game is to ask them what their fun fact of the day is! Today's is that some sharks like to cuddle with each other! awww Feel free to reach out at ekennedyyoon@college.harvard.edu or find me on instagram @elioky_ See you soon :)

"Guilty pleasure" art piece: Spiderverse content

Favorite color: black

Hey FAP! My name is Elyse Martin-Smith (she/her) and I am a rising senior in (Dename) Winthrop House studying African American Studies and Social Studies with a focus on Black Artivism, the intersection of arts and activism! I try to live these values as the Political Action Chair of the Harvard Black Students Association, as well as a band kid as a vocalist/saxophonist/flutist in the Jazz Combo Initiative, a theatre kid as the Vice President of Harvard BlackCAST, and more. Ask me about restorative justice in carceral spaces, museums and archives, Black protest music (yay hip hop), the Backyardigans, your favorite movie, LITERALLY ANYTHING!!!
Email: elysemartinsmith@college.harvard.edu
Instagram: @elyse.ms

"Guilty pleasure" art piece: The Backyardagains

Favorite grain product: rice noodles but specifically pad kee maow at tiny thai in vermont (with added spice)

(note: AJ is not a rubber duck; they just didn't submit a profile picture)

Hi FAP! I’m AJ, a half-junior (’25.5) in Eliot House studying Music and Neuroscience, though the latter might’ve changed by the time you’re reading this. I grew up in Texas (RGV -> Dallas suburbs) and sorely miss the <$5 boba and cheap eats back home. At Harvard I’m affiliated with a variety of singing groups—Glee Club, UChoir, Din & Tonics—and love to work on musical theater productions, mostly on the music directing and sound mixing side of things. I’m an avid listener of Hadestown + whichever musical I’m MDing, Laufey, JRB, late Beethoven/Schubert, and also love to discover contemporary pieces + folk songs across countries. More broadly, I enjoy long 1-on-1 conversations, /good/ Asian diaspora movies, baja blast freezes, Supergiant Games, haikyuu, and working with folks new to theater/singing (that was me!), to name a few. Talk to me about your personal interests, or ask me about mine @aj__yi or ayi@college.harvard.edu !!

Favorite grain product: does oat milk count

Favorite song: Pork Soda - Glass Animals

Hi!!!! I’m Lindsay, a rising junior in Currier House studying Government with a secondary in Educational Studies and SO EXCITED TO MEET YOU!!!!!!! I’m from Vermont and grew up skiing, mountain biking, and hiking along with the arts. I LOVE musical theater and am very involved with musicals on campus!! Dance is my main art form (usually in theater), but Harvard offers so many amazing opportunities to get involved in other arts that I’ve never even tried before. Besides musicals, I have been in the Harvard-Radcliffe Modern Dance Company (a no-cuts, beginner-friendly company!) and play flute, violin, and a tiny bit of mandolin in my free time. Ask me about living in Vermont or Currier House because I am VERY passionate about both. Actually I’ll probably just end up telling you about it anyways. I love trees, snow, and mountains. You can reach me by email at lindsaybernard@college.harvard.edu or on Instagram @lindsaybernard_.

Favorite grain product: pasta, always

Favorite color: Light pink (my entire dorm room is light pink) BUT I ALSO LOVE LIKE SAGE GREEN

Hi! My name is Avinashi and I'll be one of your FAP proctors! I'm a rising junior in Mather House from Berkeley, California studying physics and chemistry. I'm a violinist (and a violist if pressed) and I will happily talk your ear off about 20th century classical music. Really. Please talk to me about Shostakovich and Prokofiev I'm begging you. When I'm not playing with molecules (doing research) or holed up in the physics library, you can find me playing with the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra (HRO), singing with the Harvard Collegium Musicum (and our very fun a capella early music subset, Collegium Underground), playing violin in various pit orchestras, or rehearsing some piano trios with friends. I've dabbled in theater as well as many genres of music besides classical, including musical theater, Indian classical singing, and I even took sitar lessons for a couple years. Besides music and science, I love talking about fantasy and sci-fi books and playing dungeons and dragons! Reach out to me about literally anything at abhandari@college.harvard.edu or on instagram at @avi_a.l

Favorite color: dark red or forest green

Spirit vegetable: asparagus

Good morning Goobers! Bimba Carpenter '26 (pronounced BEEM-Bahhhh), seen above in her seventeenth hour of attempting the perfect profile photo, is so thrilled, elated... tickled pink, if you will, to be one of your lovely... if not eccentric proc(rastina)tors! On campus, you can find Bimba in the AFVS Metal Shop making something silly, falling off the QRAC climbing wall or attempting to break into show business through her involvement with the Lampoon, , making her own films or auditioning for shows she is completely unprepared and too busy to take on and for which she will inevitably end up designing posters or filming in the future. She had so much fun when she attended FAP that she returned for 3rd year and literally cannot contain the joy and excitement she has (her profile photo was supposed to be serious... this was the best we were given).

Favorite grain product: Strozzapreti (it's a pasta shape... look up its history)

Favorite song: Misty - Ray Stevens

Hello! My name is Ria and I am a rising junior living in lovely Leverett House studying English and History of Art and Architecture. On campus I sing with the Harvard Din & Tonics, Harvard's most snazzy jazz a cappella group, perform in various theatrical productions with the Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club, and visit museums with the Harvard Undergraduate Art History Society, and write for Crimson Arts. In my free time I enjoy crocheting, reading silly novels, and retreating to the recesses of my bed.

Favorite color:  Daffodil yellow! Bright, buttery, sunshine color

Spirit vegetable:  Bell Pepper!

HI FAP!!! My name is Keren (pronounced kinda like "Corinne") and I am *beyond* thrilled to be one of your proctors! I am a rising junior from NYC studying Government and Public Policy. I love everything to do with the arts (a biiiit of a dabbler if you will) - acting, directing, choreographing, and especially writing and delivering spoken word poetry. Don't hesitate to reach out if you want to chat about performing, 80s murder mysteries, the geniusness of Aida and The Color Purple, or literally anything re: the ARTSS, I'm here!! I am extremely passionate about the intersection of art and public service/activism and would love to chat about that as well! My email is keren_elmore@college.harvard.edu and my ig is @keren.elmoree. <3333

"Guilty pleasure" art piece:  the bachelor or every barbie movie ever made

Spirit vegetable:  Sweet Potatoe :)))!

I’m Carolyn, your one-stop-shop for all things music and performance related, and I am unbelievably excited to get to meet you all! I’m a rising junior from Toronto pursuing a Joint in History of Science and Music with a Secondary in East Asian Studies (yes, a motley crew of topics, I know). I’m also pursuing an MA at Berklee on the Global Jazz track. I love to knit, skateboard, and sing, and a lover of every music genre. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to talk about theater, jazz performance, or acappella on campus. I’m excited to get to know you!

Favorite grain product: RICE

Spirit vegetable: CARROT

Hey!! My name is Crystal, and I'm originally from the Dallas Fort-Worth area. I have been involved with Harvard Cheerleading, Asian Student Arts Project, Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club, and the Hasty Pudding Theatricals. I love musical theatre choreography, dance photography, and jamming out on the ukulele with my friends. I am SO EXCITED FOR FAP30!! Feel free to reach out to me at crystalmanyloun@college.harvard.edu about anything. Mwah! <3

“Guilty pleasure” art piece: Barbie & the Diamond Castle

Favorite song: Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

hey all! I am a rising junior, an international student, and a ball of joy. I love animals, musicals, all types of art, and hanging out with my friends. I've been working in entertainment since I was 9, so feel free to reach out with any questions you have, my instagram is @lolliemckenzie. doing fap was the best decision I made in my first year at harvard - so be smart and do FAP, its why you're here!!!!!

"Guilty pleasure" art piece:  the kardashians

Favorite grain product: PASTA.

Hey there! My name’s Texaco and I’ll be one of your proctors this year. I’m a rising junior from concentrating in Art, Film, and Visual Studies for Film Production with a Secondary in Theater, Dance and Media. Majority of my early experience with art was through music. Now you’ll either find me editing a film in Sever or creating theater with the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club (HRDC) where I act, direct, produce and serve on the board (ask me theater questions)! In my (limited) free time I love listening to all kinds of music, dabbling in creative writing, admiring art in the Harvard Art Museum and catching film screenings at the Harvard Film Archive with friends. Not only did FAP lead me to my current concentration and extracurriculars, it also allowed me to meet the most wonderfully talented and kind people that have truly become family here at Harvard. I’m so excited to be one of your proctors this year and I wish for you all a fulfilling, exciting, and joy-filled pre-orientation! If you have any questions about FAP, life at Harvard, or just need someone to talk to (that’s what I needed!!!) please feel free to reach out to me at isabellatexeiraramos@college.harvard.edu or @tex.aco_ on instagram. See you soon!!

“Guilty pleasure” art piece: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movie trilogy

Favorite color: 2016 Pantone Color of the Year: Serenity

Hiya! I'm Adam, a rising Junior ('26) from Dallas, TX (and from Nashville, TN before that) studying bioengineering on the electrical engineering subtrack (if you're confused about what that entails, don't worry; I am too). I enjoy the season fall, and sleeping (though I don't get to do it much these days...). My special talents include doing things slowly, being generally oblivious, overusing parentheses and semicolons (because these are the greatest punctuation forms), and non sequiturs. Fun fact: I've sat in the Dunster dining hall for 10 hours straight before. I'm part of the running club and I've done a variety of roles for the various productions as part of the Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club, including finance producing, lights, and paint. I was a studio art kid throughout high school; I also *dabble* in animation and graphic design (*I don't really know what I'm doing, but I'm having fun*). Feel free to reach out at any time (615-788-6154) and can't wait to welcome y'all to campus!! :D

Favorite color: Grass green, like early-morning light glistening in dew and slightly translucent

Favorite song: Fireflies - Owl City

inseo is a rising junior who studies economics and tdm. he was too scared to do just the arts so he chose to be a little sadder by doing econ as well. he has a background in acting and yapping. he likes acting because it feels like authentic learning and has been a part of hrdc shows and acted with the american repertory theater at harvard.

“Guilty pleasure” art piece: Camp Rock

Favorite color: pastel blue

hi! my name is priya and I'm from washington, dc (ask me about our license plates muahaha). last year, I was a fapper. fap was not only where I met my closest friends, but also where I gleaned the information I needed to dive headfirst into the arts at the college! this year, I stage-managed the completely original first-year musical, DJed and publicity produced for our radio station (WHRB), served as a member of the first-year arts board, accepted an editor-in-chief position with an art history journal that is currently in development, and, (obviously), became a fap proctor. I also became an art history major! judgemental, naive 15-year-old me would have a heart attack if she heard that. luckily, 18-year-old me is not as judgemental or naive. I plan to pursue the architecture track! while I tragically possess little knowledge of things that first-years truly want to know about, like parties, matters of the heart, pdfs (or, as I call them, poopy dumpy files because HOW DO THEY WORK), etc, I can speak on friendship, housing, study spots, free things (I have a lot of free things), harvard lingo, porter square (the superior square), restaurants, classes, and arts opportunities. my instagram is @pallenpea, so shoot me a dm with questions or email me at priya_allen@college.harvard.edu.

Favorite grain product: farro

Favorite song: you can't ask a radio DJ this! you can't! that being said, probably "silent sigh" by badly drawn boy.

Heya! I'm Joy, and I'm a rising sophomore from Seattle, WA hoping to get a double major in Chemistry and Comparative Literature. My art of choice is dance--I dance and choreograph for Harvard's modern dance company, and love experimenting with different styles. I also play the violin for our Pops orchestra and lead Harvard's quizbowl team (read as: I spent way too much time reading random articles on Wikipedia). You can glean an unfortunate amount of my personality from my music taste, which is an eclectic mix of pop, indie rock, and assorted electronica.

Favorite grain product: sourdough

Favorite color: the soft, golden yellow of a sunbeam dancing through dust-filled air to land lightly on the head of a very sleepy cat

I'm a trans woman from rural Ohio that loves to talk about my home state! I spend a lot of time in the Earth and Planetary Science department, and when I'm not looking at cool rocks I can usually be found playing woodwinds or talking about the First Year Musical (froshical). This year I'm the Music Director for froshical, so if any of you have questions about what this project looks like don't be afraid to reach out! On campus I also play in the Harvard University Band and Wind Ensemble, along with playing in various pit orchestras whenever I can find time. My phone number is (234)802-1444 and my email is aldencodding@college.harvard.edu.

“Guilty pleasure” art piece: Weezer Blue Album

Spirit vegetable: Corn of course! (Ohio represent)

Hey! I'm Ricardo, and I'm originally Venezuelan-Portuguese but live in Orlando, FL. I haven't decided on a concentration yet, but I'm considering doing a joint on Art, Film & Visual Studies (AFVS) and something else (maybe comp sci, maybe gov). I love everything studio arts, whether drawing, painting, photography, 3D-modeling, or silkscreen, and I'm so excited to be a FAP proctor! I also have a healthy obsession with anything penguin related. If you want to see some of my work (although outdated cause I haven't posted in a while) you can check my instagram @ricardo_penguin_portfolio.

“Guilty pleasure” art piece: Boston Museum of Bad Art Zoo Collection

Favorite color: PANTONE PQ-16-0230TCX Macaw Green

Hey! My name is Gabrielle Greene, and I am a sophomore currently living in Leverett House! (BEST HOUSE). I'm planning to concentrate in History and Government. In the arts on campus, I sing mezzo-soprano in an incredible a cappella group called the Harvard Radcliffe Veritones(GO TONES!), I participate in the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club productions as an actor, as well as in BlackCAST!!! Outside of campus, I love to write poetry in my free time, sing jazz, as well as attend concerts in the Boston area! You'll usually find me on campus studying for an upcoming Italian test or putting ketchup on anything I can eat!!! Feel free to reach out on instagram @ gabgreenee if you have any questions about art life at Harvard or just want to chat!

“Guilty pleasure” art piece: 15-16th Century Religious Art

Favorite song: At the moment, Alghero by Giuni Russo