Celeste Varricchio ’73, producing artistic director and founder of Mosaic Dance Theater Company, cut her theater chops in Lehigh’s Mustard and Cheese Club — and set the stage for her future investment in Lehigh’s theater opportunities for students.
“Lehigh planted the seed for what would be my life's journey,” she says. “Mustard and Cheese is a unique society that allows students to grow in the theater world. It allows student performers to grow. You are the director, and you are the choreographer and creating this world. [...] It was a wonderful experience.”
Post graduation, Varricchio worked professionally at the Dallas Theater Center in Texas while earning her MFA in theater from Trinity University before moving to New York. “I needed to make money, pay rent, and buy food. I was filling my bank account with money to get my headshots for auditions,” she remembers. “I worked in summer theater and learned what it was to be a producer.”
She eventually found work with Broadway producer Elliot Martin, but the ebb and flow of that business forced her to explore more stable work. She landed a long-term corporate career in publishing, first at Times Mirror Magazines in the Book Club division, then at Harper & Row (now HarperCollins). Varricchio credits her success in that field to her quality work and the support of those around her. “I knew nothing about book production, but the woman in the department said, ‘You are a smart woman. You can learn.’ She was a fantastic mentor and fantastic teacher.”
The similarities between book publishing and theater production helped Varricchio as well. “You have to look at the release date and work backwards. It's the same way in the theater. You can't start building the sets two days before the show."
Her day job did not interfere with her commitment to theater. She would run shows in her apartment for no admission and help friends with tech for their shows.
She went on to produce a one-person show, Ovid's Metamorphosis. “I was performer, producer, set design … I hired a lighting guy and charged admission and had a nice little run.” She then used her vacation time to take the show to Scotland for two weeks with a friend. “It was a great experience.”
Her favorite show of that time was an Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves adaptation commissioned by Lincoln Center’s arts programs that toured for a decade. Creative work like this led her to found Mosaic Dance Theater Company, a space where theater and dance intersected.
Varricchio shares her work ethic and passion for the arts with the Lehigh community. As one of the first 12 women to receive an undergraduate degree from Lehigh in the historic Class of 1973 and one of the first six female members of the Gryphon Society, she recognizes what it means to present students with opportunities they can run with.
“You have to want to roll up your sleeves and put your hands in the dirt. You can't be afraid of getting dirt under your fingernails because it will wash off eventually. You need encouragement from those who can help you.”
While attending the first Soaring Together Women’s Conference, Varricchio began thinking about how she could encourage students in theater, leading to her establishing the Celeste Varricchio Visionary Theatre Student Award, given to an exceptional student in the Theatre Department. A recipient of the Alumni Award in 1998, she also received the Eugene G. Grace 1899 Award at Reunion 2023 for her distinguished service encouraging support of the university.
Spotlight Recipient
Celeste Varricchio
Artistic Director and Founder of Mosaic Dance Theater Company; English Major