Allegany native Syd Sider has gone right from the graduation stage at State University of New York at Fredonia to the theater stage in New York City.

Sider, who received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre on May 16, was cast in “Heathers: The Musical.” The Off-Broadway production opens June 22 at New World Stages on West 50th St. in NYC.

Sider learned of the opportunity through a social media posting.

“The ‘Heathers the Musical’ Instagram account posted about having virtual auditions and I really love this musical so much, so I filmed some videos for it and sent them off,” Sider said. “I then heard back from a casting director asking me to submit for a different character then I had initially auditioned for and from there got a call back and here we are.”

Syd Sider (left) performed the role of Paulette in the SUNY Fredonia production of “Legally Blonde” in October.

Sider is in the ensemble and also serves as understudy for the roles of Martha Dunnstock and Mrs. Fleming. “Heathers: The Musical” is based on the hit film that starred Winona Ryer and Christian Slater. It features a book, music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and recently completed a successful run in London’s West End.

“This is truly a dream come true,” they said. “Musical theater and performing have been a passion of mine for the longest time and it is truly what I love to do. I could not be happier. This is all I have wanted all my life.”

Rehearsals for “Heathers: The Musical” started just two weeks after Fredonia’s graduation.

“Heathers” is Sider’s second professional contract after debuting last summer in Albany in Playhouse Stage Company’s production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” a jukebox musical of 1950s and ’60s music, Sider who appeared as BJ.

At Fredonia, Sider most recently appeared as Paulette in Fredonia’s Department of Theatre and Dance Mainstage Series production of “Legally Blonde” last October. Other Mainstage credits included Sonya in “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” and Cordelia in “Lear.”

“I have honestly cherished every performance opportunity that I have been given here at SUNY Fredonia,” they said. “A transformative show for me was the play “Lear”. .. That show taught me how to be an authentic performer and has shaped everything that I have done since then.”

Leaving Fredonia, Sider was grateful for the opportunities and the experiences the school provided.

“I am not sure if I would be where I am without this school and this program,” they said. “Looking back at where I started before coming here — I had no clue what I was doing. All I knew is that I loved to sing and I loved being on stage performing and that I wanted to be on Broadway. Don’t we all?”