Jason Robert Brown鈥檚 “The Last 5 Years,” produced by Out of the Box Theatrics and Holmdel Theatre Company, was one such reimagined production. Thomas starred as Cathy, a struggling actress, married to author Jamie, portrayed by Nicholas Edwards. The two enact the stories of their relationship separately, in opposite chronological order.

While early press releases indicated the production was to be filmed at the Holmdel Theatre Company and then streamed, the production was transformed into a site-specific, immersive production filmed entirely in a New York City apartment. The production rehearsed and filmed under intense COVID-19 safety protocols, including regular testing, physical distancing of the crew and having performers masked whenever not singing.

Thomas was no stranger to the stage but was new to the filming experience. 鈥淔or pretty much everyone in the room, it was all of our first time doing anything like this so everything was a discovery鈥� coming from music theater where everything is BIG and FLASHY, converting that energy into film and TV energy was an entire ride,” she said. “We learned so much and we are all the better for it.鈥�

“The Last 5 Years” was originally scheduled to run from March 15 to 28, but its immense popularity warranted an extended 鈥渞un鈥� through May 9. The production received rave reviews from a number of outlets, and was labeled as a New York Times Critic’s Pick.

Terry Teachout, longtime theatre critic for the Wall Street Journal, called Thomas 鈥渁 real find鈥� who gave a 鈥減owerfully committed, gorgeously sung performanc[e].”聽“The Last 5 Years” received a Drama League nomination for Outstanding Digital Theater, Individual Production.

鈥淚 think when you do projects like this all you want to do is serve the art, and it鈥檚 always a surprise when you get top-level recognition for it,” Thomas said. “At the end of the day we don鈥檛 perform for the awards and the 鈥榟ype,鈥� we do it for the love of the craft, and because we have fun. The [Drama League] nomination just sent us over the top.鈥�

Thomas also worked with Out of the Box Theatrics to provide donated tickets to art students who needed financial assistance. 鈥淚t鈥檚 super important to me to inspire the next generation, to lift up the ones who are coming behind us,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淲e all remember what it was like for someone we have looked up to, to reach out their hand to us so that we can continue to dream. We all know the impact that had. We must continue to pay it forward.鈥�

After the whirlwind process of producing theatre for film and TV, Thomas is looking forward to her return to the stage. This fall, as theatres begin to reopen, be on the lookout for Thomas as Radio 1 in the Broadway revival of聽“.”

Her next step involved less planning and more of a leap of faith. 鈥淚 thought, I have a college degree and I鈥檓 living at home with my parents doing nothing. 鈥� I had a friend who wanted a roommate for a few months in Austin, Texas, so I said 鈥業鈥檓 going to move,鈥欌�� Snover recalled. Only four months after leaving 黑料不打烊, she packed up for her second cross-country move. Upon arriving in Austin, Snover turned to social media and LinkedIn to find a job, and connected with fellow 黑料不打烊 and Alpha Chi Omega alumna, Laura Furr 鈥�07, social media marketing specialist at Austin Pets Alive! Snover soon interviewed for an open position at APA! and landed a job as mission content specialist.

As a member of the development team, Snover puts her strategic communication skills to work every day, using her writing, journalism, video editing and design skills to craft email solicitations and campaigns, what she calls 鈥渟torytelling for donors.鈥� Her job as a student assistant in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 division of University Advancement was key to her understanding. 鈥淲orking for the Office of Parent Engagement gave me all of the tools and the information to know what development was and how it could translate beyond higher education,鈥� she said. She was able to understand different donor segments, and how to tailor her communications accordingly, which she utilized during APA!鈥檚 year-end campaign.

I think Leadership Fellows and my leadership experience with Alpha Chi [Omega] gave me the confidence to move across the country without a job, knowing that I knew I could do it. I think without that leadership experience, I would not have had the courage to do that.

Snover was preparing solicitations for Austin鈥檚 local giving day, Amplify Austin Day, when Winter Storm Uri suddenly devastated Texas. At first, she thought the storm was going to last a few days. She soon realized that wasn’t the case. 鈥淚t got to be so severe, so much more than we all thought, that we essentially started a whole new 鈥榗old weather鈥� campaign updating everyone every single day on what we were doing, and our status,鈥� she said. Without heat or power, and with severe water damage, operations staff moved into the shelter to care for the animals, and clinic animals requiring medical care were housed in donated hotel rooms. 鈥淚t was crisis mode all around, but I said, 鈥楢lright, I鈥檓 just going to get emails out every single day until this stops!鈥� and we will see how much money we can raise,鈥� she laughed.

Snover worked around the clock for twelve straight days sending out information and requesting funds for the crisis, all without heat and clean water herself. Her and her colleagues鈥� work was worth it; high-profile organizations like the Obama Foundation mentioned the group on social media, and donations came pouring in. Though she cannot reveal the exact amount APA! raised, Snover said it is certainly record-breaking for the organization.

While things have calmed down significantly over the past week, Snover鈥檚 work on the campaign continues, as well as getting many important stories out to donors and potential new donors. While occasionally visiting the shelter to take photos and video, she works remotely for large periods of the day. At home, she kept company by her cat, John Travolta, whom she recently rescued from the APA! Feline Leukemia Adoption Center. She is quick to credit 鈥渓iterally every part of [her] 黑料不打烊 experience鈥� for her success.

After her years in University Advancement, Snover has new appreciation for the impact of small monthly gifts to an organization. 鈥淚 understand how hard it is to get that one-time donor to become a monthly donor, and those small gifts really add up.鈥� And as for her gutsy cross-country move? 鈥淚 think Leadership Fellows and my leadership experience with Alpha Chi [Omega] gave me the confidence to move across the country without a job, knowing that I knew I could do it. I think without that leadership experience, I would not have had the courage to do that.鈥�

About this series:聽The 黑料不打烊 Alumni in Action series explores the stories of university graduates who are doing important and uplifting work in their careers and their communities. To share the names of alumni you think should be considered for this series, please fill out the聽Alumni in Action nomination form.