'Sleepy Hollow' Screenwriter Returns to Briarcliff High School

Written by Feroze Dhanoa (Patch Staff)

Briarcliff High School alumnus and writer on Fox’s hit television show “Sleepy Hollow” Sam Chalsen visited his old high school on Nov. 25.

In a workshop for current BHS students, Chalsen spoke about the process of screenwriting for “Sleepy Hollow,” and shared photos from the writers’ room for the show and the sets.

Chalsen left quite an impact after he graduated from Briarcliff High School in 2008 as teachers from around the district stopped by to say hello to the alumnus as he prepared to speak to current students about his career.

“Sam was probably one of the most brilliant students to go through Briarcliff,” English department coordinator Jamie Mandel said in a press release. “He’s very gifted; he’s incredibly creative.”

While at BHS, Chalsen was active with the student newspaper, chorus, drama club, plays and other creative outlets. After graduation, Chalsen went on to Harvard University, where he harnessed the creative talents he explored at BHS by delving into screenwriting. A year after graduation, he found himself working as a production assistant on FOX’s hit television show “Sleepy Hollow” in Los Angeles.

He credits Mandel, his drama club teacher, for helping him discover his love of writing for the stage.

“I like writing with action in mind,” Chalsen said in a press release. “That’s why I like screenwriting – because it’s alive.”

Photo Courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District