Question#10- Has this experience been a rewarding one for you? Why or why not? (keep it positive, if you had negative experiences, focus on what you learned- make yourself look good!)? How has the reality of your internship matched or contrasted with your expectations? What is the most important learning you did during your internship?
Overall my time at the DCPA I have found it very rewarding. It has allowed me to become familiar to a professional environment. Working at the DCPA has taught me many skills that I will be able to apply and use later in my life. Plus I didn’t have to pay for a gym membership. This internship has taught me many things about myself. Such as how good I am at organizing. Working on cleaning/organizing the costume and prop closet has made me realize how much I enjoy organizing. I’ve also noticed my leadership skills have really come into play at my internship. Every Time myself and another intern get a task assigned i’ve noticed I am mainly who takes control. Not in a bossy way though. When I first started this internship I expected myself learning how to make my sponsors coffee, making copies, and always having to dress super nice. Though none of those became a reality. I did not learn to make my sponsors coffee, nor have to run to starbucks. Yes I have made a few copies during my internship but not enough because i’m still not sure how to exactly use the copy machine. Dressing nice kinda was a thing I did because I enjoy dressing up. Yet the days where I only had times to throw on a hoodie, and jeans there was no problem. Never was I told I shouldn’t wear something to my internship. On the other hand I had very high expectations to learn professional skill. I learned how to advocate for myself. I learned how to step out of my comfort zone and be open to trying everything and talking to everyone. The most important learning during this internship was definitely me growing and being aware of what it’s really like to work at a professional environment. I came in as a lost puppy and now I feel more ready to get an actual job at a professional place. I learned how no matter how much I love theatre it won’t be a career I would like to pursue. It was most important for me to learn how it’s like to work in a professional environment.
Question#9- What have you seen or experienced in your internship that has inspired you the most on your own artistic journey? Has this experience changed your artistic ambitions? How?
I have seen and experienced many new things ever since starting my internship. All things that have changed my perspective on the way I see theatre and art. I have been able to see what it’s like to be part of professional theatre. I got the working experience. Yet I got to see how different Professional theatre and high school theatre is. All the experiences at the DCPA made me realize that theatre is just something I fell in love with but not enough to for me to continue pursuing it in my future. I love art all the forms of it. This internship has made me realize that I love drawing and painting my experiences. Which is why I made that my project. Every time I go into the dance studio at the DCPA I realize how much I want to learn how to dance. I see the mirrors, the mats, the fabrics, everything about that studio gives me the urge to want to dance. This internship has showed me every side of art. I’ve seen every form of art at the DCPA. It has inspired me to expand my art focus. I walked in here only wanting to do theatre and I know i’m going to walk out trying many new art forms. I’ve seen so many new things that have caused long lasting memories in my head. Everyone that I have meet here have showed me that you can incorporate your love for into a professional career. I’ve really changed my art focus from being only a nerdy tech to being open to trying all the art forms. To also knowing what I really want to do in my future.
Question#8- How is your internship project going? Describe the progress of your project. How did the conversation about your project go with your sponsor? (If you haven’t discussed the project with your sponsor yet, how do you plan to do so?) Did they have good insights on how to improve or expand the project? How does your project bridge what you do at your internship and what you like to create for yourself? Has your relationship with your sponsor evolved as you have engaged in creative dialogue about your project? Are there any challenges you are experiencing planning or doing your project?
My internship project has taken a turn. I had said that I was working lights for a show at the DCPA but unfortunately that has changed. I have now decided to make my art projects my main project. I have created multiple little art works either being a memory of some sort of the task I did that day. The process to my project is pretty straight forward. I go into work and come home at the end of the week and just draw or paint into a sketchbook about significant things from the DCPA. Sometimes i draw what i’ve done or anything that made a big impact in my mind. I had originally spoke to my sponsor about him giving me a project and it was to simply work the lights. I later talked to him about how I wasn’t going to be able to do so due to a last minute trip. I have not discussed my drawing project with anyone at the DCPA. I plan on taking in my sketchbook and showing my sponsor what i have done,and ask if he has any ideas of what to add in my book. For the lights Stuart has still been very helpful in teaching me many new things about working lights, fixing lights, and well pretty much things about lights no non theatre person would ever know. My project bridges what I do at my internship with what i myself enjoy creating, because I take whatever out of a day at the DCPA and create and manipulate it the way I like. I am able to take a moment and represent it the way i feel is appropriate for me. The relationship with my sponsor has grown much more. Because of my creative project I have created more conversation to get a better idea of who I am working with. I have learned a bit more about my sponsor due to the idea that i am more open to creating conversation and asking questions for things I might like to include in my sketchbook. The main challenge was completely changing my focus in a matter of a week. I found out about an unexpected trip a week before I was supposed to start going to rehearsals. I did not get to take part in that show. I quickly knew that my back up project would be my main project. Regarding this project I struggle with drawing too simple things. I also have a hard time deciding what I actually want to draw, I do so much at the DCPA coming home to draw abou it is very hard to narrow down.
Question#7- What is the difference between working on personal art projects and working in a creative business? What have you learned about working in a creative business?
Creating personal art projects is something in very familiar with. As a student at an arts school creating art projects is a big part of my everyday work. Also I spend a large majority of time creating art for my enjoyment. Yet when it comes to working personal art projects and working in creative business I have found it’s very different. Different as there are more guidelines and structure. At the DCPA working on art means creating sets for shows. When it comes to me working on scenery for school plays it’s a group of myself and 3 of my friends using our imaginations and building what we find appropriate for the show. At the DCPA i’m just hands on, I have no say towards anything whatsoever. The biggest difference is that in a creative business you are just hands on and not the creative brains. What I have learned about working in a creative business are many things. Ask many questions, but not too many! Working alongside stuart you run into many things that you’d never really expect to do. You want to know what you’re doing, how you’re doing, all the who, what, where, when, and whys. Going along with that be open to doing anything. Stuart always “lends” me to his co-workers so some days im working on sets and the other in setting food for a party. Being to new things will bring new skills. As an intern my main goal is to learn as many new skills as possible, whether they’re life skills or theatre skills, or both! The most important thing i’ve learned is to have fun and take advantage of the great opportunity offered. Nothing is really being done your way, not all your ideas are being used, but I get to be there every step of the way. I get to take others visions and with the help and instruction of stuart I make those visions come to life. That’s what being the crew in theatre is all about, It’s all about helping to make others dreams come true. I’m not solving world hunger or saving the polar ice caps from melting, but i am building sets, mopping stages, and fixing lights just so others can stand up on that stage and make a dream come true.
Question#6- How do people treat you at work? How does it make you feel? If you have in intern one day will you treat them the same? What have you learned so far from your co-workers and sponsor?
Everyone who works at the DCPA always manages to treat me with much respect and kindness. They all try to include me so I can feel like an actual employee and not just a young intern. They are all so kind and welcoming. Never do they make me feel like i am a bother to the department. I have nothing to complain about. The way I am treated makes me feel like I am a child whom they’ve adopted. They all teach me new things, they like to hear about my hopes and dreams, and they also give me tips and advice as to how reach my goals. If I ever have my very own intern I will without a doubt treat them the way I am currently being treated. As an intern I understand the fear others feel when they start or obtain an internship. If I receive an intern later in my career, I will do my everything to manage for them to do as much hands on as possible and also managing that they feel welcomed and like part of the whole crew. Every time I step foot into my internship I learn new things. I’ve learned so much that i’ve lost count of everything i’ve learned. Each person at the DCPA has something to teach me. Stuart has taught me so many theatre skills that I didn’t even know existed. I’m so excited to bring all these skills to school with me and apply them to my technical theatre classes. Melissa and Daniella (another fellow intern) have taught me that you can care for people you’ve recently met. That sometimes you may know someone for a month or so yet it feels like you’ve known them your whole life. My sponsor has overall taught me what it’s like to actually pursue a career in technical theatre. He’s taught me so many skills that my dad would probably wanna hire me for his company because of all the skills stuart has taught me.
Question #5- How do you feel like your internship is going so far? What are the highlights and “lowlights”? Do you feel like you are making connections with co-workers? What can you do to improve your experience?
So far everything has been a huge learning experience. It’s been a great month at the DCPA. I’ve gotten to meet with the set design leader, and that forsure has been a huge highlight. Meeting new people at the DPCA is always a huge highlight. For example all the interns got to sit in on a script reading of a new play. We got to meet the playwright, the actors, and all the people who take part of the reading of a play. Probably my biggest highlight of all is having my own badge to open all the doors. Yes I may have gotten it the first day I started, but a month later i’m still so excited about it. It makes me feel very important, and cool. I feel like a very important theatre person, even though i’m just an intern. The lowlights definitely have to do with my struggles of not being able to keep up with all the carrying of heavy stuff. Working with Stuart means you’re doing all the dirty work. Although I learn so very much from it all. I do find myself struggling every time we have to carry things in or out, or even drill screws in. My arms are tiny and weak so a lot of the times I would rather sit out then carry 30lbs. Pieces of metal. There is always furniture having to be moved out of rooms therefore carrying heavy stuff is always on the to-do list for interns. It’s been a big lowlight. Especially because i’ve been having to have a lot of blood drawn, making my arms even weaker. All of my co-workers are some of the best people i’ve ever met. The other interns are all super great, they’re all another highlight of this internship. In order to improve my experience I think I could ask a lot more questions. Rather than only asking a few I could ask much more. Making myself more knowledgeable about the theatre and the DPCA.
Question #4- Freestyle prompt
These past days at the DCPA have been the complete opposite of what I expected. I’ve learned a various of skills i didn’t think i’d have to learn. For example I didn’t know there was a proper way to wash paint brushes, or I didn’t know how to take off the ledge of a door off. When I first walked into the DCPA I felt very confident, then as I started to actually do tasks I realized I needed learn so many new things. So far i’ve absolutely loved my time at the DCPA. Although organizing the costume shop is kinda a pain, i spend a lot of time quality time with the other interns. We recently got the opportunity to go up to the 4th floor and have a meeting with the marketing department. Sitting in that meeting room with a bunch of important people made me feel just as important just with a lot less responsibilities. Everyday is a new task and for the most part I really enjoy that. I’ve helped build a set for a filming class. I have also been helping with the build of scenery for “RENT”. Yet throughout those two things I have learned so many things. Such as how to properly put away a ladder. Though not every day do I get to do fun and exciting things. I mean cleaning the costume closet is the number one task stuart wants the interns to do. Although the whole entire room makes me want to cry, I have fun with my fellow intern friends. Considering i’m the smallest one Daniella always thinks it’s fun to have me try on every costume that looks cute. I even tried on a snow white costume and walked around while everyone stared and smiled. Sometimes I find it hard interning at the DCPA but never have I learned and had so much fun in less than a month.
Question #3- How do your actions affect your work place? Do you contribute positively? How do your co- workers actions affect your internship? Which co- worker are you connecting with?
My actions at the DCPA affect me on how much trust and freedom I receive from my co-workers. There is a great deal of alone time. Referring to a lot of of the assignments assigned, I do on my own. There’s a lot of times where if I wanted to be of task and not do my work or just sit on my phone I could and no one would know. Yet my fellow co-workers depend on me to complete my tasks. There is so much going on that if I get something assigned and I choose not to do it, it will surely set everyone back. I’m always as positive as possible towards all the work assigned to me. When I get told to do something I always get straight to work. The quicker you start the quicker you’ll finish. My co-worker’s actions affect me the same way my actions affect them. If they do not do their work it will most likely create more work for me. I’m really connecting with the two other interns named Daniella, and Jacob. I find myself doing work with Daniella every time I go in. I can say we have gotten so much closer. I have also found myself getting along really well with Melissa who works at the front desk. She is who I check in with every time and she’s the nicest person i’ve ever met. Stuart is also very welcoming and makes sure to help and allow me to be involved with everything. Overall I would say i’m really connecting with everyone that works on the educations floor. There are a few who I haven’t really interacted with but in general they are all very nice and all make sure to hold a small conversation or at least greet me every time they see me.
Question #2- What was the best thing that happened at your internship? How did it make you feel? What else makes you excited about your internship?
During this past week interning at the DCPA has exposed me to try and learn new things, everytime I step foot into the building. I recently got the opportunity to go into the booth and play around with the light board. Playing with the board was super cool but that’s not the best thing about that day. While in the booth Stuart taught me the basics on how to work the lights,yet he noticed that a few were unfocused and uncentered. Stuart and I later went up a ladder that I had no idea existed, reaching to the top I realized I was up on the “cat walk”. Biggest dream come true. At Kunsmiller we don’t have a “cat walk” so our lights just come down our lights when they need fixing. It definitely took me a couple of seconds to cope with the idea of me actually being on a “cat walk”. I got the chance to actually fix the lights. Stuart would show me then give me the chance to try it myself. That by far has been the best thing to happen to me at DCPA. This really made me feel like I belong in theater. That it’s something I really enjoy being part of. I didn’t realize how into theatre I really was until I got in my car and before I drove away I made sure to let my closests friends know what a cool thing I had done. I went home and explained to my parents and sibling all about it. Every Monday and Wednesday morning I wake up excited knowing I get to go into my internship. I’m excited to learn new things. To face more challenges. Especially to become more part of the theatre. I’m excited in becoming excited just for the simple fact that i’m in a theatre surrounded with nothing but people who love theatre.
Question #1- What did learn from the first week at your internship? Did anything surprise you you? who did you meet and what do they do? Did you engage in any code switching?
On my first week at the DCPA I learned a various of new skills. Being an intern at the DCPA, I learned that for as long as I am there I will not have to visit the gym. I walked in very confident thinking it was going to be a lot of printing scripts, going up and down elevators, and ect. Little did I know that my first day i’d have to be carrying 10 8ft. Tables and pushing around dollies with stacks of chairs taller than me. My right arm felt pretty dead for the next couple hours and sore for the next week. The point is my first day was quite the workout. On the other hand my second day was a bit more easy going, yet my hand still got a workout helping Rachel cut out cows and string to attach the bells onto the cows for her pre-k classes. During those two days I was able to meet the nicest set of adults I had ever encountered. Not once did I feel out of place. Right off the back I felt super welcomed by everyone I met. I was surprised to see how well everyone that works in the educations floor gets along. It seems like they’re all just far away cousins rather than co-workers. I definitely saw myself doing some code switching those two days. Especially when around Stuart. With the fellow interns and Melissa from the front desk I seem to be a bit more comfortable, not saying i’m using inappropriate language but it’s definitely not the same way I speak to Stuart or any of the other important adults on that floor. They’re all pretty goofy individuals but the idea of knowing their job titles gives me a bit of anxiety not using extremely proper language. Overall I’ve been loving my days at the DCPA. Already i’ve seen how challenging it is to work in the theatre business. Most importantly that i won’t need to be paying my gym membership every month because my internship already exercises me enough.