Eastern Student Nicole Garcia of Newington Works a Theatre Internship throughout Summer

2015 Oct 13

Thirteen high-achieving theatre students from Eastern Connecticut State University worked internships in theatres across New England throughout the summer 2015 semester. Among the interns was Nicole Garcia '18, a resident of Newington who studies theatre.

Garcia interned at TheaterWorks in Hartford, CT. Garcia's internship involved loading and rigging sets, painting sets, welding and other construction projects. She said the internship helped her realize that she likes to build things.

"A challenge during my internship was matching the professional level of the employees," said Garcia. "I felt like I had a lot of catching up to do but by the end of the summer I noticed a significant change. I learned how to act backstage in a manner that helped the actors keep their focus. I learned how to choreograph scene transitions so they are quick, clean and pleasant to the eye."

Theatre Professor Chase Rozelle, a believer in 'experiential learning,' selected and helped the students obtain their internships by bringing them to job fairs and introducing them to his theatre contacts around the region. "An integral part of the theatre program is to provide practical theatre experience," he said. "Students come back excited with validation and opinions; they come back with ideas and conviction. They come back inspired."

"Overall, I would say that my biggest take away is the sense of professionalism TheaterWorks instilled in me," said Garcia. "It has already helped me profoundly with our productions this semester."

Most of the internships engaged students in backstage/behind-the-scenes work, within the areas of design, technology and stage management. "The theatre industry is much more than acting," said Rozelle, who also serves as technical director for Eastern productions in the Harry Hope Theatre.

While the internship experience may affirm or reject a student's decision to pursue a certain career path, Rozelle says of the practical experience: "They come back with fabulous resumes and proof that what they are studying is relevant."