Alumni Spotlight: Zoe Buddie ’22

Since graduating from The Storm King School, Zoe Buddie ’22—who was known for her strong interest in theater—has been making her mark at Cornell University, where she continues to pursue her passion for the performing arts. This year, Zoe took on one of her most ambitious projects yet: a Cornell Department of Media Arts production called The Family Copoli, an original post-apocalyptic burlesque musical that traveled to the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Zoe served as associate producer, assistant director, and performer for the show—roles that placed her at the heart of an extraordinary creative journey. The production team launched a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $60,000, propelling the company into a life-changing 22-day run at the Fringe. Their hard work was met with tremendous excitement, including three 5-star reviews.

“It was truly an experience like no other—I learned so much about myself as a creative and formed lifelong bonds with performers from across the world,” Zoe shared.

The Family Copoli, with book and lyrics by Andy Colpitts and music by Michael Wookey, imagines a world in the year A+72 (2097), decades after a catastrophic solar super flare—known as “The Accident”—devastated Earth’s population. In a future where humanity has lost not only its numbers but its will to reproduce, the traveling Copoli family performs a vaudevillian burlesque revue designed to spark joy and hope in the survivors. Yet behind the laughter there are family secrets which threaten their mission to save the human race.

For Zoe, the project has been both professionally rewarding and personally meaningful. She credits her time at Storm King with helping shape her creative momentum. Zoe, who came to SKS as a junior, was very enthusiastic about theater during her time at Storm King, first appearing in 12 Angry Jurors as Juror #1, followed by leading roles in Chicago as Velma Kelly and Godspell as John the Baptist/Judas. “I’ve had quite the whirlwind at Cornell pursuing the Performing Arts, and I owe a lot of my inspiration and drive to my time at Storm King,” she explained.

As Zoe continues to build an impressive artistic career, her work on The Family Copoli showcases her talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit. We can’t wait to see where her creativity takes her next.

Zoe (right) as Velma Kelly in the SKS production of Chicago, 2022