THE GAMM FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Gamm Theatre welcomes a sixth cohort of emerging artists of color to its Gamm Fellowship Program. Starting with the program’s 2021-22 pilot year, the fellows are recent graduates of the Rhode Island College (RIC), and the University of Rhode Island (URI). The 10-month program in partnership with Rhode Island’s public institutions of higher education is a paid fellowship designed to provide an immersive experience in all areas of theater making, and establish mentoring relationships between aspiring and established theater professionals.
Over the course of The Gamm’s 2026-27 season, fellows will engage in all areas of creative, administrative, and educational theater making. Each also has been paired with an advanced career mentor who will provide guidance about making a living in the theater industry.
ABOUT THE FELLOWS
Mariana Villa Jaramillo is a native of Medellin, Colombia and lives in Pawtucket. She graduated from Rhode Island College (‘26) with a B.A. in theater performance. Mariana has appeared in a many theater productions. Some favorites include La Broa’ (Trinity Rep), The Comedy of Errors, and Marian: Or the True Tale of Robin Hood. She is interested in directing and was recognized by the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) as the Region 1 national finalist for the Stage Directors and Choreographers Directing Initiative.
Mariana's mentor is Karen Carpenter. A theater educator and director, Karen is head of the drama department at Jaqueline M. Walsh School for the Arts. She is also an actor (Hangmen, Admissions at The Gamm).
Miguel Soto-Sanchez was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Warwick. He is a graduate of the Community College of Rhode Island (’24) and holds an associates degree in Fine Arts. Miguel has performed with the CCRI Players as Charles Guiteau in Assassins, Warden in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and Jimmy in Let the Right One In. Miguel is excited to hone his craft as an actor and understand the collaborative workings of a professional theater.
Miguel's mentor is Steve Kidd, an English and drama teacher, and a director, at Providence's Moses Brown School. Steve is a frequent Gamm actor (Amadeus, Hangmen) as well as a director (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at The Gamm).
Elijah Lopes grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He has a B.F.A. in theater from the University of Rhode Island ('25). While at URI, he appeared in Machinal as Richard Roe and performed as Kyle in a class showcase of Exit, Pursued by a Bear. His interests extend beyond the stage to film, voice acting, and creating original character-driven work. Elijah is passionate about continuing to develop his range as a performer during his fellowship.
Elijah's mentor is Anthony Goes, an actor (Between Riverside and Crazy, True West at The Gamm) and an adjunct theater professor at both CCRI and RIC.
