Farrah Rothman, Saybrook College

Farrah Rothman is a composer and lyricist of drive, variety, and intelligence. She graduates with majors in Music and, with Distinction, in Theater and Performance Studies. Her musical theater work in the Shen Curriculum for Musical Theater summons a level of precision, finesse, and polish seldom seen outside the professional realm. At Yale, Farrah burnished already impressive technical skills with keen observation and a burgeoning sense of long form musical cohesion. Her senior thesis—music and lyrics for Rumspringa—tells the story of an Amish community and its rite of passage to adulthood. The show is a moving expression of finding one’s way; the score combines music evoking the plain-spoken, proud and distinct traditions of the Amish with a coming of age spirit of whimsy and adventure. Farrah’s evocative music and lyrics are distinguished by the sheer force of her native ability, determination, and diligent habits of revision.

In recognition of vast compositional ability and achievement, as well as virtually unlimited potential, Yale College is proud to award the Louis Sudler Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts to Farrah Rothman.