Q&A with the Production Intern

College: Georgetown University

Major/Minor: Liberal Studies Major with Architecture Minor

Arts Background: I've been very involved in the performing arts since I was three years old, and became serious about technical theatre when I was in middle school. Upon my high school graduation, I chose to postpone post-secondary studies to work on Events & Operations for Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign. Since then, I've been stage and event managing professionally in the DC area.

Why did you pursue an internship with the Kennedy Center?

The Kennedy Center is one of the largest, most diverse, most fast-paced, and most well-known performing arts venues in the country. The internship program here is extremely rigorous and well-developed, and it was clear from the application material I would have tremendous hands-on experience. Even in my interview, my supervisor made it clear that she viewed this as a never-ending mentorship, and that sealed the deal. I've also lived in the DC area since I was three and have attended dozens of events at the Kennedy Center. And so, the Kennedy Center has an extra special place in my heart!

What do you do in your internship placement?

I'm extremely involved in the day-to-day workings of the Production department. I'm the primary scheduler of our rehearsal spaces, so I spend a bit of time each day evaluating incoming rehearsal room requests and attempting to place groups into the space that best fits their needs. I also oversee requests for items in the rehearsal spaces as well as some of our event spaces, and work with the facilities department to ensure the requests are fulfilled. Once a week, I spend a couple of hours with Production Operations, which oversees the cavernous technical storage/repair/fabrication shop we have here onsite. I'm not a member of the IATSE union, so I'm relatively limited on the work I can do with them. Since I'm particularly interested in the work they are doing, however, we were able to figure out a way that I could assist them in managing the equipment inventory and preparing orders for the stagehands to fill. Some other things that I may be found doing include: assisting a new production in rehearsal, shadowing the stage manager on a touring production, attending production meetings, refining my AutoCAD skills, or leading a backstage tour!

What is your favorite project you have worked on?

I'm really excited to be the Production Assistant on Earthrise, a new Theatre for Young Audiences show that is being produced by the Kennedy Center. I'm also extremely excited to be shadowing each of the stage managers that are coming through this summer - everyone does things just a little bit differently, and I can definitely feel myself picking up a thing or two from each person I get to work with.

Favorite thing to do in the Kennedy Center: On a nice evening, the Roof Terrace is unbelievable. I use it for taking phone calls - you can just stare out over all of Georgetown. It is also a fantastic lunch walk - neither the production offices nor theatres have windows, so the vitamin D is greatly appreciated!

Favorite place to go in Washington D.C.: Some of my favorite off-the-beaten-path spots include Tryst, Meridian Hill Park, Dolcezza, Bourbon Coffee, East City Books, and Kramerbooks and Afterwords (did you know they were subpoenaed in the Clinton investigation and they refused to give up their records and they were prepared to take it all the way to the Supreme Court?)

Advice for prospective Kennedy Center Interns: Be yourself and let your personality shine in your application responses and interview! Once you're here, soak up every opportunity, performance, look-in, and event that you can. Keep your eyes and ears open because you can learn so much from the environment around you. Take a notebook and a pencil with you everywhere. And most importantly, be present! This is an amazing opportunity to be surrounded by people that care as much about the arts as you do, and are unbelievably well credentialed in their respective fields.

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