The Department of Drama in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts will host a Celebration of Life in remembrance of first-year musical theater major Christina “Elise” Wobbe on Sunday, March 2, at 6:30 p.m. The gathering, which is open to the University community, will take place in the Storch Theater of the Syracuse Stage/Drama Theater Complex, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. A reception will follow at Phoebe’s Restaurant, 900 E. Genesee St.
According to her obituary, Wobbe died of natural causes on Feb. 14 in Syracuse at age 18. The Louisville, Kentucky, native was a 2024 graduate of the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School in Louisville and attended the Governor’s School for the Arts in musical theater. At Syracuse, Wobbe was on the Fall 2024 Dean’s List and served as a member of the production staff and crew supporting costume maintenance in the Department of Drama production of “Pippin.”
“It is clear that throughout her life Elise had a profound impact on every community of which she was a member,” says Ralph Zito, professor and chair of the department. “While we grieve her loss, we here in the Department of Drama look forward to celebrating the special light that she brought to us and to carrying that light forward into all of our work.”
University community members in need of support during this difficult time may reach out to the following resources:
- Students can receive confidential counseling 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Barnes Center at The Arch by calling 315.443.8000.
- For general ongoing assistance, students can contact Student Outreach and Support Monday through Friday at 315.443.4357.
- Faculty and staff can reach trained clinicians 24 hours a day through Carebridge, the University’s Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, by calling 800.437.0911.
- All campus community members can access additional services and support through Hendricks Chapel and each chaplaincy by calling 315.443.2901.