SM
Stephanie Madden
  • Psychology and Theatre
  • Class of 2016
  • Suffield, CT

Eastern Student Stephanie Madden of Suffield 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 Stephanie Madden '16, a resident of Suffield who studies theatre and psychology.

Madden interned at Mystic Seaport TaleMakers in Mystic, CT. Throughout the summer, Madden acted in three short children's theatre productions that ran every day. Performed outside on a minimal stage with few props, the productions required the actors to deal with scorching heat in their costumes and improvise with audience members and children who were brought on stage.

"It was overwhelming; being outside, the heat, kids screaming, but I ended up loving it," said Madden. With such a minimalistic set, she added, "You have to compensate by being overdramatic. Your body has to tell the story because you can't rely on props or set."

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."

"My experience has both changed and affirmed my acting aspirations," said Madden. "Now I believe I might look into finding a career one day in children's theatre as it is very popular and I have this experience to guide me. I think this summer job has opened doors and given me more ideas and possibilities for my future, but most of all it reminds me to continue my pursuit of theatre."

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."