When Sean Mikesh '25 had to miss Elon University's 135th Commencement due to his role on Broadway, Elon brought Commencement to New York City.
After landing a role in “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” on Broadway, Sean Mikesh ’25 came to terms with the fact that his graduation from Elon University would need to be a virtual celebration; the Bristow, Virginia, native finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting remotely and needed to miss Elon’s 135th Commencement.
“I watched everyone walk from the livestream, so I was sending screenshots of everybody getting their diploma to each other,” said Mikesh. “I was definitely missing it.”
On May 27, Mikesh was able to celebrate his accomplishment in New York City with family, including getting graduation photos in his regalia. But when they moved locations for the photos, Mikesh found Elon President Connie Ledoux Book; Prudence Layne, associate professor of English; Kirby Wahl, professor of performing arts; and Fred Rubeck, professor of performing arts – all dressed in their academic regalia. Joined by Mikesh’s family, friends and castmates, Book led a surprise commencement ceremony in the middle of the city, giving Mikesh the opportunity for a true in-person Elon graduation.
“It was very emotional,” said Mikesh. “I was just overcome with gratitude and feeling very special in that moment to have this planned for me, so much thought put into an event for me.”
Elon faculty, including Layne, were instrumental in helping Mikesh complete his degree, working with him on assignments as he began Broadway performances.
“This entire ceremony was all started because of her,” said Mikesh. “One thing she said at the ceremony was ‘When Sean left, I felt a void in the class that I never felt from another student leaving’ and I was like ‘Wow, that really means a lot.’”
While at Elon, Mikesh interned with Clear Talent Group in Los Angeles, California during the summer of 2024, was a student desk assistant for the Department of Performing Arts, and performed in “Antipodes” (spring 2024) and “Paradise Lost” (spring 2025). He credits the performing arts program with helping him reach Broadway, specifically the Senior Showcase where he connected with Liz Fraser from Jim Carnahan Casting, the company casting “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”
Mikesh sent in a taped audition and, over the 2025 spring break, was asked to come to New York City for an in-person callback. After the in-person audition, he heard back the same day that they would need him in rehearsal the next day.
“It was very quick, it was very sudden, but looking at the arc of it, I was ready for it all, Mikesh explained. “I was excited more than anything, but I was ready to work, I was ready to learn more about this industry and ready to just do my part. Now I’m living in Washington Heights and living out that dream of being a performer that has the job.”
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is a prequel stage play to the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things,” telling the story of the Creel family in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana. Mikesh is in the ensemble of the production, which has been nominated for 19 awards this season, including several Tony Awards. Performances are currently at the Marquis Theater.
“Half of the cast is making their Broadway debut, not to mention the majority of the cast is in their late early 30s, all the way to their early 20s. So, I’m with a lot of people that I would consider peers,” said Mikesh. “Something that I was not expecting joining in that type of environment was just that everyone is there to help each other in whatever their next steps may be.”
Mikesh says the cast feels like a family and that, without his Elon preparation, he wouldn’t have been ready to take the big NYC jump.
“I’ve had an absolute whirlwind of an experience, and it wouldn’t have been able to happen if it wasn’t for my friends and family, the people at Elon, just that level of support,” said Mikesh. “It comes down to right place, right time and I was ready, and that’s what led to this moment. It’s all about preparation because you never know when the opportunity will strike.”