From Brookdale’s Studio to Rockefeller Center Lights: Alum Carl Parcesepe Steps Into the Spotlight
For Carl Parcesepe, a 2024 graduate of Brookdale’s Communication and Media Studies program, a week working behind the scenes at NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center was more than a milestone. It was a defining moment in a journey that began in a Brookdale classroom.
Standing inside 30 Rockefeller Plaza for the first time, wearing an official production badge and helping guide talent through one of television’s most iconic live broadcasts, Parcesepe found himself reflecting on where it all started.
“I remember thinking about how I began at Brookdale learning the fundamentals of production,” he said. “And now I was here, part of the real thing.”
Growing up at the Jersey Shore and attending Wall High School, Parcesepe always knew he was drawn to storytelling. From anchoring his high school morning announcements to writing short scripts and creative ideas, media had long been part of his life.
When it came time to choose a college, he was looking for a place that would allow exploration.
A visit to Brookdale during an informational session helped shape that decision.
“The atmosphere was welcoming and engaging,” Parcesepe said. “Communication and Media Studies gave me the chance to explore film and production while also opening doors to many different career paths.”
That flexibility helped him grow both academically and personally. Rather than committing to a narrow focus too early, Brookdale provided the space to develop his interests while building strong technical skills. “It was one of the most welcoming communities, and everyone was always willing to help with any questions,” Parcesepe said. “I look back fondly on my two years at Brookdale. It was an incredible experience that helped shape me and gave me the tools that brought me to where I am today.”
Hands-on experiences in Brookdale’s television production studio were especially impactful.
In one course, students rotated through real production roles, operating cameras, switching live feeds, anchoring segments, and handling control room responsibilities.
“That class gave me my first real understanding of how live production works,” Parcesepe said. “Learning how each role fits together gave me confidence.”
After earning his associate degree, Parcesepe transferred to Montclair State University to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies.
“The transition was seamless,” he said. “The foundation I built at Brookdale aligned closely with what I was learning at Montclair, and I felt prepared from day one. I don’t think I would be as knowledgeable or comfortable had I not taken those incredible classes that set me up for everything I’ve done at Montclair.”
That preparation quickly translated into leadership.
Inspired by his involvement in Phi Theta Kappa at Brookdale, Parcesepe sought similar opportunities at Montclair and joined Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication honor society.
Within a year, he was elected President.
Today he leads programming and peer engagement while also contributing film review articles to The Montclarion, serving as a student speaker for incoming students, and participating in live production programming such as Montclair’s televised election night coverage.
“Brookdale helped build my confidence to step into leadership roles,” he said. “It made me comfortable putting myself forward.”
That confidence, combined with mentorship, led to an opportunity few students experience before graduation.
Through Montclair’s mentorship program, Parcesepe was paired with Dateline NBC producer Rob Buchanan. When Buchanan learned of his interest in live production, he offered to connect him with the team behind NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast.
Within days, Parcesepe was on his way to New York. “I remember thinking, wow, this is such an incredible opportunity,” he said. “When I got the call that night confirming everything, I was ecstatic.”
Through Montclair’s mentorship program, Parcesepe was paired with Dateline NBC producer Rob Buchanan. When Buchanan learned of his interest in live production, he offered to connect him with the team behind NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast.
Within days, Parcesepe was on his way to New York.
After celebrating Thanksgiving with his family, he boarded a train the next night for the week-long production.
Arriving at 30 Rockefeller Plaza for the first time, he was struck by the magnitude of the moment.
“I walked into 30 Rock, where all the NBC magic happens with shows like Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, and so many others, and I was just in awe,” Parcesepe said. “I was still a student, and here I was stepping into something of this caliber.”
Receiving his employee badge made the experience feel even more real.
“Seeing my name and photo on an official NBC badge and scanning into the elevators felt surreal,” he said. “I kept thinking about how I started at Brookdale taking classes that prepared me for this. It was always something I dreamed about.”
Despite the long hours, sometimes working nearly sixteen-hour days, Parcesepe said the experience never felt like work.
“There were moments where I thought, how am I getting paid to do this?” he said. “It was phenomenal.”
During the week-long production, he assisted with preparation, logistics, and talent coordination while working alongside experienced professionals in a fast-paced environment.
On the night of the live broadcast, he stood rinkside as the tree illuminated before a national audience, marking the first time in his life he had ever attended the Rockefeller Center tree lighting.
During the week-long production, he assisted with preparation, logistics, and talent coordination while working alongside experienced professionals in a fast-paced environment.
On the night of the live broadcast, he stood rinkside as the tree illuminated before a national audience, marking the first time in his life he had ever attended the Rockefeller Center tree lighting.
Later, while breaking down equipment beneath the building, he received a text from his mentor: a photo of the end credits.
His name was on screen.
“That was surreal,” Parcesepe said. “It was my first live credit.”
The experience didn’t just validate his interest in media; it helped define it.
“Being part of that team and seeing something come together that was bigger than any one person was incredible,” he said. “There’s real value in working with a group to create something larger than yourself. We worked incredibly hard that entire week and seeing the fruits of our labor come together in such an amazing way was unforgettable. Seeing my name scroll across the screen in the credits was one of the coolest moments of my life. It confirmed that production is where I thrive.”
Now preparing to graduate from Montclair this May, Parcesepe has applied to NBC’s highly competitive Page Program, which allows recent graduates to rotate through different areas of television production.
His long-term goal is to become a producer.
“I have always been a storyteller,” he said. “The dream is to bring stories to life and create something meaningful that resonates with people.”
Parcesepe credits Brookdale with helping him build the technical skills and confidence needed to step into a professional production environment.
“The tools and experiences I gained at Brookdale made me feel comfortable walking into a place like NBC,” he said. “It gave me the belief that I belonged there.”
From campus studio productions to a nationally televised live event, his journey reflects how hands-on learning and strong preparation can transform ambition into opportunity.
For Parcesepe, it all began at Brookdale.