10 Under 10 Award Recipient: Sarah Watkins ’08 Fabian

“She creates new worlds on the stage and instructs others on how to do the same.”

Ten Under Ten Award Recipient Sarah Watkins ’08 Fabian

Sarah Fabian graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in theatre and studio art minor. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Fabian spent the majority of her time within the theatre department learning, researching, and practicing the art of design. Over her four years, she contributed to the set designs of many productions, including Perfect Pie, The School for Scandal and Rose and The Rime. Fabian was honored as a senior for her work by receiving the Brad Williams Memorial Award for Creativity and Excellence in Design from the Hope College Theatre Department, and the Regional Design Project Award for her scenic design of A Flea in Her Ear and a Certificate of Merit for scenic design on Rose and the Rime at the John F. Kennedy National American College Theatre Festival.

After her time at Hope College, Fabian earned a master of fine arts in scenic design at Northwestern University, then she pursued a career as a teaching artist and theatrical scenic designer, serving as an assistant professor of theatre at Northeastern Illinois University since the fall of 2016.

“I feel incredibly blessed that every day I wake up and am excited for what’s ahead because I am doing what I love, am good at, can be paid for it, and most importantly, it’s what the world needs…Hope College did for me what I get the honor and privilege to do every day at NEIU, and I am so grateful for this gift.”

Outside of her professorship, Fabian has led workshops and presentations regarding scenic design and visual storytelling at the Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre Co., to name just a few. She has also been honored for her work in the United States of America Emerge Exhibition at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance and Design Space and in multiple See.Me Photography exhibitions in New York City.

Sarah Fabian receives her award from Professor of Theatre Richard Smith.

The “10 Under 10 Awards” honor emerging leaders who are making significant contributions by living out their callings; engaged in the local and global community through professional and/or volunteer involvement; and use their education to think about important issues with wisdom and clarity, communicate effectively to bridge boundaries that divide human communities and act as agents of hope living faithfully into their vocations. Designed for alumni who are within 10 years of graduation, they are presented by the Hope College Alumni Association. Make a nomination today!

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