Caden Collins ‘23 Eshika Tangri ‘23:
Photo courtesy of Kemi Odeyemi ’20
Students walking past the Mainstage theater may have noticed the new distinctive silver lettering lining the wall. Recently, the Mainstage has received a new name, The Carrafiell Family Theater, named after an alumni of The Episcopal Academy, John Carrafiell ‘83. Suzanne Schaffer, Director of Leadership Giving in the Office of Advancement, states, “Over 10 years ago, we relocated the campus. The school raised about one hundred million dollars for the new campus. John Carrafiell, at that time, made a seven-figure gift to the school, and only within the past couple of years decided how he wanted to allocate it.”
Carrafiell attended EA for four years. Carrafiell was a member of the football team, participated in Junto, helped out with community service, and was the senior warden of the Vestry. After graduating from Yale, he moved to London, where he now owns a successful real estate company, GreenOak Real Estate. Carrafiell says, “Enthusiastically embracing all aspects of the Episcopal experience – from the classroom and sports fields; to chapel, community and the arts – had the greatest impact on my life.”
Photo courtesy of GreenOak Real Estate
Regarding the donation, Schaffer says, “I think Mr. Carrafiell donated because of his loyalty to EA as an alum. That’s why most of our alumni support our school even after so many years have passed.” Dr. T.J. Locke, Head of School, shares a similar belief with Schaffer. Locke comments, “It becomes a part of their lives. When you graduate here, you’re friends with a lot of the friends you’ve made forever. You realize, especially the older you get, that who you are as a person, a lot of it was formed by your time here at Episcopal, and many people who work very hard, and come into good fortune, want to find a way to give back.”
As for why Carrafiell chose the main theater, Schaffer explains, “He came to campus two or three summers ago during a scorching day in July. Because of the distance, he hadn’t been here at all since it had been rebuilt. He spent a lot of time with Mr. Clay, who walked us through the theater space, and Mr. Carrafiell was just blown away by how beautiful it is and the opportunities it offers for the students.”
Students are gracious towards Carrafiell and his donation. Sona Bardakjian ‘21 expresses, “ I’m so thankful towards Mr. Carrafiell for all he gave to the theater department. I am confident our shows will only thrive thanks to him.”
Another student, Will Hopkins ‘21, shares his thanks towards Carrafiell. “I am happy that the mainstage, or the Carrafiell Family Theater now, has such an official name, similar to the Ridgeway Blackbox Theater. I believe, in a way, it shows the professionalism we try to have in the theater department. We really owe it all to Mr. Carrafiell and are so grateful for his support for us.”