Center Stage


Kara on the set of The Imaginary Invalid
Rising sophomore Kara Quillard wears many hats—and many dresses, shoes, hairstyles, and even facial expressions. That’s because Kara is an intended theatre major who has already performed in five productions, theatrical and musical, at Saint Mary’s.

She even played the star role in the College’s 2010 production of Moliere’s The Imaginary Invalid. The role was her first main stage production.

The Needham, Mass., native is no flash in the pan actress. The stage experiences she’s had at Saint Mary’s have encouraged her to continue acting and “illuminated aspects of my talent,” which she showcased commendably in The Imaginary Invalid in as the severe hypochondriac Argan, whose many doctors are primarily interested in keeping their patients in their sickbeds.


You could say it was Kara’s big break. She had another big break in the spring when Saint Mary’s hosted Award-Winning actress Glenn Close, this year’s Margaret Hill Endowed Visiting Artist. Kara’s “Close” encounter included performing for the actress and benefiting from her critique, and sharing lunch with Close and fellow theatre majors.


Kara with actress Glenn Close and fellow
theatre majors.
Though performing in front of Close was an intimidating prospect at first, Kara says the feedback from a tried and true professional was invaluable. Close mostly coached Kara on how to more fully realize her character. “This unique, life-changing event, I believe, could only happen at Saint Mary’s,” Kara says.

Unique experiences are just some of the benefits of being a Saint Mary’s woman, according to Kara. She also has plenty of opportunities to explore her passions, which, in addition to theatre, include writing.

Kara intends to major in English writing in addition to theatre (Saint Mary’s students declare a major in their sophomore year) and her favorite class so far has been Words of Love, taught by English professor and Holy Cross Sister Eva Hooker, CSC. Kara enjoyed the collection of novels read in the class and says Sr. Eva Hooker challenged her to do her best work.

“The best part of being a student here is the small class sizes,” Kara says. “I always feel encouraged to share my opinion in the classroom.”

“Dedicated student” is one more entry on her list of star roles.