A group of ACU staff and alumni gathered at the Salmagundi Club in New York City in November to celebrate Lara Seibert Young (’06), one of the university’s 2019 Distinguished Alumni Citation recipients.

Seibert Young’s friends and colleagues celebrated not only her successes as a singer and actress, but the journey she has taken to achieve them.

“Lara’s journey has been incredible to watch,” Craig Fisher (’92), assistant vice president for alumni and university relations, said at the event. “Her talent, dedication and professionalism have taken her from Texas to Broadway, traveling with national tours and performing on stages around the world.”

Seibert Young is no stranger to the stage: from her childhood theatre work in her hometown of Grapevine, Texas, through her time at ACU, her talent and commitment to excellence have brought her success. After graduating with her B.F.A. in 2006, she moved to New York City, where she’s built a remarkable career.

She has appeared in numerous Broadway, regional and national tour productions, including Chicago (as Velma Kelly), Pippin, A Christmas Story, Big Fish, The Producers, Young Frankenstein, The Sting and more. Young performed as a soloist in Australia for Hugh Jackman’s arena tour, Broadway to Oz, and recently returned home from performing in Jackman’s latest world tour.

Seibert Young also is a friend of her alma mater, returning to Abilene in 2017 for a solo performance to raise funds for the ACU Theatre program, and headlining ACU’s 50th annual President’s Circle Dinner in February 2019. She continues to live and work in New York City with her husband, Andrew Young (’05), and their two children, son Aiden and daughter Lillian.

“Lara is widely respected for her both her skill on stage and her commitment to family, community and faith,” Fisher said. “She sets an incredible example for others to follow.”
Click here to read more about Seibert Young, and click here to read profiles of past Distinguished Alumni Citation and other alumni award recipients.