Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences

Endowment Description

The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences is a permanently endowed fund established by Claire and Dwight Emanuelson ’84 at Washington and Lee University dedicated to encouraging and enabling students majoring, minoring or actively participating in the performing arts to take advantage of off-campus departmental career exploration experiences regardless of financial circumstances. The fund will be administered by the Chair of the Department of Theater, Dance and Film Studies in consultation with the Dean of the College.

History

The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences was established by Dwight H. Emanuelson and his wife, Claire Emanuelson, in October, 2011, to honor their friend, Dick Sessoms, for his outstanding service to Washington and Lee from 1980 to 2004. Mr. and Mrs. Emanuelson have established The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences to recognize the accomplishments of Dick Sessoms during his service to W&L as associate director of development, director of alumni programs, and senior director of major gifts.  In these roles Sessoms was admired by alumni, parents and students and known for his good cheer, wit, and tireless efforts on behalf of the University. Sessoms was so highly-regarded within the W&L community that in 1990 he became only the second person ever to be named an Honorary Alumnus by the W&L Alumni Association. The establishment of the Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences also recognizes Sessoms’ love of music and theater performance. 

Use

The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences allows the department to lead a trip to New York City during February Break. Each year, a theater faculty member from the department takes interested students to see professional theater performances. Students pay a deposit and pay for their own meals and transportation while in the city. They see a range of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway shows in a variety of genres and styles. Students will also participate in workshops and network with working professionals in the industry. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to meet alumni from the Working and Learning Program who are currently employed in New York City. Preference is given to majors and minors, and only theater majors and minors are eligible to take part more than once.

New York City Trip 2027

For our 2027 February Break trip to NYC, we will attend Broadway and other theater performances and connect with alumni and professionals from the industry. Interested? Fill out our application form.

New York City Trip 2026

The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences subsidized a trip for nine W&L students to New York City. These students saw performances of the following plays: Oh Mary!, Ragtime, Chicago, and an Off-Off-Broadway play Ruby and Charlie. They experienced an epic snowstorm that canceled Broadway, but they did get to frolic in the snow in Central Park. They got a backstage tour of the Ambassador Theatre. They took an improv workshop with a teacher from Second City, and a Musical Theater Dance masterclass with a current cast member of Chicago. Students were also able to meet and network with W&L alums currently working in the NYC theater industry.

New York City Trip 2025

The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences subsidized a trip for nine W&L students to New York City. These students saw performances of the following plays: Dakar 2000, Liberation, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Sumo, Operation Mincemeat, and Henry IV, parts 1-2 (combined). They also participated in a private tour of the Lyric Theatre with the Associate Director of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a private talkback with the full cast of Harry Potter, an improv workshop with a teacher from Second City, and a Shakespeare and physical theatre workshop with the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Forum. Students were also able to meet and network with W&L alums currently working as actors in NYC.

New York City Trip 2024

The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences subsidized a trip for ten W&L students to NYC. Highlights included performances of: The Ally, The House of Bernarda Alba at Fordham University, Sunset Baby, The Hunt at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, and Broadway’s Sweeney Todd and Six. Also, a tour of the Metropolitan Opera and a variety of workshops.

New York City Trip 2023

In February of 2023, the Richard B Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences subsidized a trip for eight W&L students to NYC. Over the course of five days and four nights in New York, the students saw four Broadway and Off-Broadway shows; NYC Ballet; and museums.

New York City Trip 2020

In February of 2020, the Richard B Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences subsidized a trip for 12 W&L students to NYC. Over the course of five days and four nights in New York, the students saw six shows, went to museums and met with Will Cantler ’77, a Casting Director with Telsey + Company and Artistic Director MCC Theater. 

Washington, DC Trip 2019

In February of 2018, the Richard B Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences subsidized a trip for five W&L students to go to Washington, DC for four nights to see six plays, visit three museums and visit with alumnus actor, Matt Amling ’07.

Chicago Trip 2018

In February of 2018, the Richard B Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences subsidized a trip for 12 W&L students to go to Chicago for four nights to see Hamilton and Pillars of the Community, as produced by the award-winning theater company StrawDog; an improv workshop, masterclasses; and face time with industry professionals. 

New York Trip 2017

In February of 2017, the Richard B Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences subsidized a trip for eight W&L students to New York City. Over the course of five days and four nights in New York. The students saw five shows, went to museums and galleries, toured three other theater facilities, met with more than 14 working theater professionals, met with the Dramatists Playwright Guild, and met with Will Cantler ’77—a Casting Director with Telsey + Company and Artistic Director MCC Theater.

2015-2016 Academic Year

The Richard B Sessoms Fund, originally designed for a Visiting Artist Fund, was re-purposed for student experiences off-campus, thereby enabling contact with alumni professionals for career development purposes.

2014-2015 Academic Year

The Richard B Sessoms Fund supported a staged reading of a new work based on the music of Larry Wynn ’34 was planned, but eventually deemed “not ready” for production.

October 2015

The Richard B Sessoms Fund supported a visiting director, Kate Powers, to direct Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Paula Vogel.

November/December 2014

The Richard B Sessoms Fund supported visiting artist Grant Aleksander ’82 as he starred in George Bernard Shaw’s play, Mrs. Warren’s Profession.