You go, Jocelyn Darci Trimmer!
School of Theatre and Dance alumna Jocelyn Darci Trimmer has made her debut on the pink carpet. The recent grad has landed a role in the “Mean Girls” as an ensemble member and the Regina George understudy. However, her journey started much earlier.
Growing up in Jeffersonville, Ohio, Trimmer started dancing at the age of two. She spent hours watching her mother teach dance at her studio, Step-In-Time Dance Studio, and choreograph the musicals at the local high school. Trimmer discovered her love and talent for singing not long after. She she played the role of Ursula in her middle school production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” From the moment she stepped on stage, she was hooked.
Trimmer went on to attend Kent State’s School of Theatre and Dance, double majoring in musical theatre performance and dance studies, graduating summa cum laude. “My dream is to perform on Broadway and these majors were steps on the path to that goal,” said Trimmer.
At Kent State, Trimmer performed in a variety of plays and musicals including “Cabaret” as Lulu, Sally understudy, “Rent” as “Seasons of Love” soloist, Joanne understudy, co-choreographer, dance captain, "Head Over Heels" as Mopsa and "Freaky Friday: The Musical" as Danielle, Ms. Meyers. She also had the opportunity to star in productions at Porthouse Theatre, Kent State’s summer professional theatre. At Porthouse Theatre, Trimmer starred as Vibrata in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and Alyssa Greene in the regional debut of “The Prom," Chiffon, Audrey understudy in "Little Shop of Horrors" and Uzo in "Godspell."
“My time at Kent State and the community I have found with Porthouse Theatre has not only honed my abilities as a performing artist, but also shaped me into the person I am today. The lifelong friendships I have made have given me the confidence to unapologetically pursue my dreams and the amazing teachers I have been lucky enough to learn from have molded me into a triple threat with the skills to make those dreams a reality,” said Trimmer.
Trimmer worked hard to land her role in “Mean Girls.” At the beginning of 2024, she was nominated and accepted into Class 6 of the LINK Program led by Danny Loftus George, the 2022-2023 Roe Green Visiting Director. This exclusive program matches performing arts college students with industry professionals to refine their work and their outlook on the performing arts industry. During the LINK Showcase, Trimmer was able to perform for hundreds of industry professionals including Bethany Knox from the Telsey Office. From this showcase, she secured representation with Harden Curtis Kirsten Riley (HCKR) Agency.
During her final semester at Kent State Trimmer participated in the production of “RENT,” completed her Bachelor of Arts capstone and traveled to New York City for the Kent State Senior Musical Theatre Showcase. She also completed 30 self-tapes, auditions and callbacks during this time.
In March, Trimmer submitted a self-tape for the role of Karen in “Mean Girls .” This self-tape led to a dance call in April and a full audition package for the roles of Janis and Regina. After the final round of in-person callbacks and a dance call in New York City, Trimmer received the phone call that she was selected for the ensemble and to understudy Regina. Soon after, she got on a plane and joined the current tour to start learning her roles.
Since then, Trimmer graduated summa cum laude with two Bachelor of Arts degrees and made her debut on the pink carpet in Mexico City, Mexico. She even made her principal debut as Regina George in Guadalajara, Mexico. “I have already seen so many beautiful cities and I can't wait for what is in store for the future,” says Trimmer.
Trimmer credits her mother as her biggest influence and supporter, “She has supported my dream and uplifted me through every setback and celebrated me through every triumph the entire way. I am forever grateful for my family's undying support.”
“Special shout out to my first voice teacher who helped me find not only my voice but part of who I am, Dr. Belinda Andrews-Smith and to Terri Kent [artistic director of Porthouse Theatre, musical theatre coordinator and professor of acting and musical theatre] who saw something in a seventeen-year-old girl with braces and hair down to her knees and gave me the opportunity to come to Kent State and learn and grow and make an amazing life for the past four years! “
Trimmer will return to Cleveland for “Mean Girls” at Playhouse Square from October 29 to November 3, 2024. Tickets are on sale through Playhouse Square. Follow along on her journey through Instagram or jocelyndarcitrimmer.com.