Weekly Blog 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 journey? How?
One thing I have seen and experienced at my internship that has inspired my artistic journey has been to really take pride in your work. I’m not saying that I don’t but I feel that I’m at a point where my work needs to be the best and only the best. There’s always a voice that’s convinces me to take the easy way out but I push through that thought and go for the gold! I usually find time to be an issue but at the DCPA I find the time to make it the best that I can. The pay out is the most amazing feeling! To make people happy or make less work for them is what I live for! I’m up for any job anyone gives me because I want to be diligent and well rounded. I feel that the DCPA is the perfect place to do so! Not only am I given task that I have experience in, I receive new ones that push me from my comfort zone. I learn from mistakes and shall apply them to future jobs or interviews. This experience has definitely changed my artistic journey because I now have plentiful skill that will benefit me in the future. Now that I’m going to college I will hopefully be ahead of the game and have many more challenges to overcome. This internship has benefited me immensely and couldn’t have been more grateful for the chance and experience.
Weekly Blog Question #8: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?
When creating personal arts projects you have room to experiment and grow. Personal art always has room for improvement and is made because you find it to be expressive. Personal art projects to me are expressing my emotions and perspective of the world which means I take quite a bit of pride when I am creating art because it is meaningful to help me relieve stress and anxiety. Producing art in a creative business is the complete opposite of personal art work. It is important to remember that creating art for businesses is not for you and only for the business. There is no room to experiment or make errors. That is important because it is not being made for you at all. You may use your past knowledge but it is not to go any further than that. It has to be at the highest quality that you can make it. Criticism is to be expected it may sound harsh but in reality it is for your own good. It will also help give you skills such as obedience, time management, communication, and cooperation. If you already make personal art than creating art for a business than you can accomplish tons and be a great person that the company could potential turn to into the future. It is important to leave your mark and a good example for other who may follow in your footsteps. I still have a lot to learn but I am off to a good start.
Weekly Blog Question #7 How do people at work treat you? How does it make you feel? If you have an intern one day will you treat them the same?
When I am at my internship at the Denver Center of Performing Arts a lot of responsibility is given to me with confidence and trust. Everyone is friendly and always smiles or has something nice to say. I feel very welcomed and like I’m an actually employee whenever I walk through the door. I feel like I’m a viable person at the DCPA thanks to all the friendly people who make me feel worthwhile. Everyone one at the DCPA is very approachable and is by no means mean or cruel. David Saphier even gave Adrian and I a tour of all the Denver center theaters which was amazing to see! We saw sets being built, actors rehearsing, props and costume workshops, you name it! I wish that one day I could work there and possibly let other young interns know of the potential within them all. If I could one day have interns I would remind them that they are capable of anything they set their minds too and help them learn form there mistakes. I would also give them tons of valuable work and advice and make them feel how I feel today! I couldn’t have gotten a better group of people to work for I think everyone who interns deserves to have people like them to work for. I couldn’t be more excited for the next interns to have an amazing learning experience at the Denver Center of Performing Arts.
Weekly Blog Question #6 What do you think is your main contribution to your work site? Are you proud of your contribution?
My main contribution to my work site at the Denver Center of Performing Arts would be to do jobs that others may not have time to do, or when something comes up that I can cover myself completely. For example at Legally Blonde I was assisting the stage manger with scene changes and helping actors with costume changes during the show. Unfortunately the lead actress took I’ll and could not perform which lead to the the stage manager having to take over the role of Elle Woods and me taking on the responsibility as the stage manager. I had only been to the final dress rehearsal which was a couple of hours before the opening of the show. I literally had to rely on my memories to help me know what scene change to do at each blackout. I wouldn’t been able to do this without the actors and actresses support they helped me with all of the scene changes because some of the pieces were very heavy! I was really confident in succeeding because everyone knew I could do it. I really needed the support of others in order to make this happen I thank all the actors and Jessica for the support! I am very proud of myself I really needed something to prove that I am capable of handling things under pressure. The thing that made me realize I did a good job was an email from Jessica saying who said she really appreciated me stepping up and handling things the way I did. This situation is exactly what I need to keep me moving forward.
Weekly Blog Question #5 How do you feel like your internship is going so far? Are you forming good relationships with your co-workers? What can you do to improve your experience?
So far my experiences at my internship are all positive! I have met many influential people that inspire me to continue down this career pathway. I have learned many new technical theatre skills but also skills that help make me an overall better worker. I learned the importance of patience, collaboration, and communication. All of these skills I posses but of course there is always room for improvement. I feel that I have yet to form a good relationship with the people around the office. I know very little about them and only talk to them about work related subjects. I only do what I am told and only ask questions if I absolutely have to. I’m honestly a bit scared to talk to people. I am slowly opening up to them and I feel that by the end of the program I will have developed great relationships with the co workers. I think in order to improve my experience I need to be more open and not so shy. Again I feel with time it will improve but I want to speed up the process by perhaps talking more openly and ask if there is anything I can do to help other than my previous tasks. Overall I don’t think I could have gotten a better internship. All these people love the same things I do so I feel more comfortable around them because we have somethings in common: our love for the theatre!
Weekly Blog Question #4 What are you responsible for at your workplace? What do you think is your main contribution to your work site?
My main responsibility at my workplace is to do work that others don’t have time to do as well as thing that they thing may help us learn. For example we are organizing the prop and costume shop for them because it’s something that needs to be done but nobody has time. I notice that almost everyone is out of the building doing things that are important to their job. I feel honored to help them feel less stressed out about thing around the building. I feel that I contribute big because I can do anything that they ask me to do. I never have felt this useful before it makes me feel important. Whenever I see the list of things that need to get done I am happy that they put so much trust on Adrian and I to get it done. I feel that I must work hard to prove myself worthy for this internship besides I think it’s also a good idea to let them know that interns work hard so that people who get this internship one day will have to work to keep them happy! I feel I am being utilized fully and I am quite thankful for how much they trust me to do important work that people in the office don’t have the time to do. My first and only priority is to leave a good and outstanding impression. I hope that I can set the bar high so that all interns will leave a good impression.
Weekly Blog Question #3:How do your actions affect your workplace? Do you contribute positively? How do your co-workers actions affect your internship?
My actions affect the workplace in a major way. If there is work that I had to do and I can’t do then that means someone with a busy schedule will have to overload themselves with more hard work that they can spend on getting things important to their job. That’s why I try to get as much done because that feeling stays in the back of my head and I would feel very guilty of a making a hardworking person do more work! I feel that I contribute very positively because I do what I am told and don’t start drama. Even if I get mad at something I make sure to bite my tongue to make their day at work as less stressful as I can. Co-workers actions don’t affect me much because they are all independent. It’s mostly the interns that affect the co-workers because there is always work to be done that they don’t have to do. I’m trying my best to work as hard as I can. I may seem a bit slow when working but that’s because I’m trying to do the best job that I can. Hopefully they know that I’m a bit of a perfectionist and that I will get work done but only if I feel that I have put my all into it. I found myself a,couple times starting over because I wasn’t satisfied and I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.
Blog Question #2- What was the best thing that happened this week? How did it make you feel?
This week at my internship, I have been busy! I am quite proud of myself for staying on task and making progress in the prop shop. The work may seem cumbersome but is quite enjoyable and keeps me busy! I feel that structure and freedom have been the key to my success. I say this because there is room to grow and I feel that this is a great first step. This probably the best thing that has happened because I feel that I am really making a difference in the organization of the theatre. It makes me feel like my time is being used efficiently. I am really excited to keep going back to work! I hope that one day I will have a job similar to what I am doing now. I am learning a lot about how a theatre runs outside of show production. It takes a lot of hands to keep a theatre a float, lots of work is also important! I’ve learned the importance of communication, teamwork, and patience over the last couple of weeks which are all skills that needed improvement. Hopefully in the near future I’ll do something even more astounding! I couldn’t be any more excited to be interning at the Denver Center of Performing Arts! I think it’s the perfect place for anyone interested in the theatre whether it’s an actor or a techie!
Blog Question #1- What did you learn from your first week at your internship? Did anything surprise you? Who did you meet and what do they do?
At my first day of internship I learned basically what I would be doing for the rest of the semester. In addition to doing standard intern jobs I also assist in set design. This week Adrian and I have continued cleaning the cluttered but useful scene shop! I have learned many skills on organization and patience because the prop shop never stays clean but it’s still a useful skill to hone. I was surprised on how much trust is given to us first time interns, it encourages me to do an even better job so that the sponsors will not be disappointed. I meet Stuart Barr who is my personal sponsor who is very happy to have me there. He is full of useful knowledge and I feel he will benefit me in my stagecraft journey. I feel that this internship as a whole will benefit my learning more than my previous internship. I know that at The DCPA I will be challenged and pushed to limits but I enjoy being used to my fullest potential. I am greatful for this opportunity and can’t wait to get back to work!
Denver Center of Performing Arts
The Denver Center of Performing Arts education department opened in October 1984. It was formally the National Theatre Conservatory. Which was a program that students could complete in three years. That program ended in 2012, today it’s a theatre program for the community that is teaching acting and other technical elements which started in 1991. The companies mission statement is: “We want to inspire students of all ages to explore the beauty, diversity, complexity and challenges of their world through the lens of the performing arts. We believe in introducing and nurturing an appreciation of theatre of all genres. We’re passionate about helping students develop their own creative voice and gain the confidence to share that voice with the world.” The education department offers many programs and opportunities for children and adults alike. It is a non profit organization that really inspires people to chase their dreams of becoming and actor or pursing any other theatre related program.
BBTA Intern Work Site 