A Day in the Life of an Intern at the Rep

'Ware The Ides of March

2007-03-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

Today is the DEADLINE for applications. Get them in the mail today!

2007-03-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

I’M ON FIRE!!!!

Well this week in SM is going pretty well. We’re busy, busy, busy. I am working on Fire on the Mountain right now, which happens to be my final show at the Rep. It’s pretty exciting to be almost done here but it is also incredibly sad as I will miss this place a lot. Not that I am going very far. I am going just across the street to the Intiman Theatre to be the ASM on Skin of Our Teeth and A Prayer for my Enemy. I will be working with Lisa Chernoff, who was the Stage Manager for Memory House which was the show I completed before beginning Fire on the Mountain. It’s very exciting to know that I now have employment for the summer where I will be receiving a nice paycheck :).

As for the show…it’s always good to sit through because the music is always entertaining and the audience just LOVES it. The other thing that is exciting about the show is that you never know what’s going to happen, sometimes people forget words and other times their mics go down. It’s always a little bit of a gamble and the show is never the same two days in a row.

Sarah & Deb (my partners in crime) are also extremely busy. Sarah is working on My Name is Rachel Corrie. They began tech on Sunday and they have their first invited performance this evening. Deb is in the midst of rehearsals for Gem of the Ocean. This is their second week of rehearsals and they are doing wonderfully (I think).

There are always weeks in stage management when you are ready to pull your hair out but I think that this week, although stressful for some, has been a good week for us. I believe that we have all achieved something this week that we have been incredibly proud of. For Deb, I think the fact (and correct me if I am wrong Deb) that she has taken on such an immense project with being in charge of millions of props in Gem. And Sarah who has is right in the middle of teching a very emotional and complex play. And then for me, beginning the second week of the Fire run and preparing to move on to my first show as a professional stage manager. We all know that when life gets crazy and stressful, it’s the weeks when you feel great about what you have done that really count.

Tammy Batiste
SM Intern

Communicating with the Angry

2007-03-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

I was just given the assignment of typing up a letter to an irate rabbi who had disagreed with some aspect or another of our production of My Name is Rachel Corrie. It was a fun break in my day to be able to see what the big wigs are doing about the controversy.

It was fun to go looking for the Artistic Director, David Esbjornson, who had wandered off in “that direction” but not officially engaged in any meetings at present. I found him in the hallway talking with Fran (our Fearless Leader) about going to the gym. Life is so lovely and ordinary sometimes, I love it! But I was actually hunting him down to approve and sign the aforementioned letter which is trying to keep a potentially volatile situation under control.

As he was reading it over, Ben Moore (Managing Director) walked by and said “Are we meeting in hallways now?” and I got to watch these two great leaders of the organization read over the letter and sign off. It was fun to be in the thick of things just for a moment, even if I was just the typist and courier.

That’s all from Communications right now. I’m off to the company meeting! We might have a season for next year. Shh!!!

Winnie
Communications

A Letter from a Stage Management Intern

2007-03-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Chimmie,*

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply, but here I am!

So, my experiences here as an intern...

Overall, it's been extraordinarily beneficial to my development as a stage manager and as a theatre professional. I had worked a lot in university theatre and also in summer stock before I came here, and have found my time at the Rep to be an invaluable experience. People are forever using the phrase "bridging the gap" when they talk about moving into the professional world and it's really true. For me, this internship has been a great stepping stone into the world of regional theatre. Here, I've been able to grow in the way I work and to learn about how stuff actually happens at a professional level. As an SM, it's important to know what the Development or Communications departments do, because they are going to interact with your actors, and you don't generally have access to departments like these unless you're at a regional level. I have also been able to make some great contacts, which as I'm sure you know is one of the most helpful things in terms of getting work. A lot of people here have worked in New York, or know people there, so though it's Seattle, there is still an "in" into NY that way.

As an SM intern, I am assigned to 3 out of 9 shows in the season; two in the Bagley Wright (the larger theatre) and one in the Leo K (the smaller theatre). In the BW, there is an Equity Stage Manager and Equity ASM, and you are the third member of the team. In the Leo K, you are the ASM, though your official title is "intern." Though it depends on the stage managers you're working with, I would say we are basically treated as members of the SM team. I would also say we (interns) are all respected and treated by staff members in that same way. So for example, if the props master has a question about a note in a report, and comes down to the office but you're the only one there, they'll ask you the question. Don't get me wrong, you make coffee too, but I never ever felt like someone's coffee b**ch. We have a dishwasher here too—so no mug washing. :-)

As far as the stipend, it is totally possible to live on ___ a week. I also saved money from my summer work so that I could move cross-country and live here. Seattle isn't super expensive city when compared to New York or Boston or San Francisco. I am also pretty lucky and live in a house with 9 other people (it's very nice actually, and not as bad as it may sound), so I only pay 425/month which includes utilities. The Rep website has info. on where to live and how to look for housing. Wallingford and Ballard are good areas to check out. It's hard to have a second job as an SM intern, but you could try and find something to take on during the day when you are in performance.

Hopefully that information was helpful. Anyhow, let me know if I can answer any more questions for you.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Deborah
Stage Management Intern

*Name has been changed to protect the innocent.

The Alleged 12th Intern

2007-03-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

Hello,

It’s me, Jenn, the fabled 12th Intern. It has been, and continues to be a whirlwind here in paint land. Whether I’m assisting the full time professional crew on the productions or working on my own projects, there is never a dull moment.

My half of this season started with a landscape using anything but a brush. It was a great mind-stretching experience as I foraged for anything and everything to push, pull, slosh, drop, drizzle, or smear the paint onto the canvas.

Deadline met, I moved onto the tin-foil lion sculpture extravaganza. Using somewhat experimental techniques, I forged a lion’s face out of tin foil and hot glue, covered it in “Kim Board” (you’ll have to ask), and proceeded to faux paint weathered pealing paint on “concrete” with lots of mossy goodness.

Step two: paint marble. Step three: paint lion’s head over marble as if the lion was carved from the marble. End product: super-sweet despite my inevitable weariness of the lion subject.

After that, I was a rusting machine. By which I mean, a machine which creates rust, not a machine that is rusting. Fire On The Mountain hit the shop, and I more or less headed-up the rusting efforts with assistance from my fellow intern, Angie. Fun with Ferris Sulfate, woo-hoo.

Then there was my portrait on velour. I took a self-portrait by Mengs and swapped the head for that of my dear friend, the lovely and talented Lawrence. Most onlookers were contented with just the value study, but eventually the day came to wash it over with color. All went home happy.

We are now on the cusp of painting a gigantic drop for Gem of the Ocean. Its HUGE, like 3 times the size of drops I used to paint in Duluth. It’s fantastic. And somehow the 4 of us (myself plus the three regular painters) are supposed to finish it in 3 days. Wish us luck!

Jenn
Scenic Arts Intern, Part Deux

Adventures in Teaching

2007-03-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

Today I co-taught the Drama Intensive performance class. Drama Intensive is the big spring project here in the Education Department. Basically, we take two high school classes and transform them into a small theatre company. One class is all about acting and performance and each student is cast in an original show (written by Andrea Allen the Director of Education), and the other class is all about design and tech production and each students works on building either the set or the costumes. The project culminates in a performance on The Rep's Leo K stage in late May. As the Education Intern, I participate in this project in a variety of ways. I assistant teach both of the classes, and serve as the Assistant Director for the production.

Anyway, back to today. Unlike the beginning of the semester, when I sometimes felt like our classroom was a wild jungle, today's class went really well. Part of this was perhaps due to the fact that half of the students were out-of-town on a model UN trip, so the class was really small and intimate. (Or it could be that Scott and I are just ridiculously brilliant teachers who have brought enlightenment and wisdom to the masses.)

Anyhow, we used most of the class to have a group discussion all about embarrassing moments, gossip and rumors. Andrea is planning on using the material that we generate with these discussions in the script that she is writing for the class. The plot is loosely based on Sheridan's The School for Scandal but she is filling it with anachronistic tidbits (everything from the latest Britney headlines to our students' experiences in middle school.)

This afternoon I am spending my time processing internship applications, and getting some work done on my theoretical Romeo and Juliet costume design. "What, what?" you say. "Isn't this the Education Intern? What is she doing designing things?" Well, here's the deal. In the Drama Intensive design class, the midterm for the students will be working in a group to develop a design "pitch" for The School for Scandal set and costumes. These pitches will be integrated into the design for the show by the magical wizardry of our designers, and the students will spend the rest of the semester building the set and costumes for the Drama Intensive production in May. Jess Smith, Seattle Rep Teaching Artist and former Education Intern, (the lead teacher for this class) and I are working on developing a "model" presentation so the students can see what we're looking for. Hence, I am developing the costume design of a theoretical production of Romeo and Juliet which integrates the ruffles and jewels of the 16th century Elizabethan court with contemporary fashion. Denim pantaloons, perhaps?

Anyway that's the news from the Education Department.

Happy Spring!

Emily
Education Intern

Can't Think. Face Hurts. Tired.

2007-03-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

Just had the first day of rehearsal for Gem of the Ocean, directed by the magnificent Phylicia Rashad. I am officially no longer an intern--since I'm the Casting intern, I started and ended significantly earlier than everyone else. However, the Rep can't get rid of me that easily---I've been hired to freelance as Phylicia's assistant on this show.

Unfortunately, the general jubilation that this blog should be expressing is clearly well hidden under a blanket of fatigue. Tired, tired, tired. No longer making a whopping ___ dollars a week, but still exhausted. The artistic intern's rush into production is just that--a rush! You make the giant and seemingly unending actor packet, and as soon as it ends and you think you can just collapse into bed proud of a job well done, you have to get up and actually do the show you've been preparing for all that time.

Did I mention my face hurts? Maybe my hair, too. Yes, I'm sure I mentioned it. Theatre is so glamorous.

Wait, just got distracted by my fellow artsitic intern, Kati. It was very important we discuss the "ordering a pizza and watching tv" portion of the evening. But now she is busy learning about Russia, so I can continue blogging. Blog. Blog. Blog. I'm tired.

The read-through was great. They are always great. Not only do you learn so much about the play (often about things you didn't even know you didn't know), but it's so immediately invigorating to realize that you aren't doing this work on the text alone anymore--it's often your first glimpse at the other members of your team. Actors at the Rep are consistently wonderful, but somehow the wonderfulness of each new cast always manages to be a surprise. Wondefulness? Is that a word? I don't care...

After the read-through, we had the meet and greet where the cast and crew are able to meet the Rep staff members. There is always food (Thank God!) and the designers and directors give you a glimpse into their vision of the play. These meetings are welcoming for the cast and physically connect staff members with every show. It's important to feel that connection to each show--important to get that glimpse into the thought process. Sometimes you get so busy working that you feel a disconnect from the art. It all goes so quickly... TANGENT.

Okay, I'm done. Must go sleep and get ready for tomorrow. I need to do a little more research before rehearsal, so I need to be up earlier than I want to.

I hope any of this made sense. I know I didn't use a synonym for anything. Sorry. I assume you know that my tired may be affecting my writing.

---Erin
Casting Intern '06-07 "grad"
Assitant to Phylicia Rashad for Gem of the Ocean

A Full Day!

2007-03-06T18:04:00.000-08:00

Today was a crazy day for interns. The Nordstrom/SRO Fashion Show was fabulous and bustling with Diane Von Furstenberg as the special guest. The fashion show part was really neat with the Paramount transformed into a runway with tables.

Then we came back and had a read-through for Gem of the Ocean. I was able to sit next to Contanza Romero (the late-Mr. Wilson's wife) and watch her reactions as the his words were brought to life once again. She said it was like hearing it anew when she spoke briefly at the Meet & Greet that followed.

After the full day, I'm pooped and that's all I have to say :)

~Winnie
Communications

Frogs

2007-03-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

Well, it's monday. That's a start. Down in the shop, things have been slow lately. We're waiting on the final drawings for "Gem of the Ocean" so that we can get started. In the meantime, I have been working on one of my many personal skill-building projects. Frogs. Thats right. Frogs.

For my last project, I wanted to learn more about painting. So, I learned some different techniques and painted a door in the shop with stencils and in the style of a Monet waterlilies painting. After much discussion in the shop, it was decided that my waterlilies needed a frog. My next project became making one. If you have never worked with Friendly Plastic, you are missing out. It is one of the best products ever. A meltable, moldable plastic that I eventually made my frog out of. Now, I would have left it at that, except as I said before, the shop was a little slow. So, my next project became casting and molding. Needless to say, I now have a collection of frogs made with a variety of materials and painted in a bunch of different ways. Not a bad way to spend your afternoons.

I've also been working on a few things for "My Name is Rachel Corrie" the last week or so. Rachel Corrie was very crafty as a person. So, I got to make some fun artsy-crafty things for the set, including a papermaché bowl. Remember? Like the kind that you made as a kid by covering a balloon with newspaper and glue and then popping it when dry? I love that stuff. Also, I worked on some collage art that the actress did. I melted candlewax all over it and stuck seashells to it to make it look like something you find in a hippy college apartment. Lots of fun.

Ok! Thats all for now.
Your friendly props person signing off-
Katie C.

Today at The Rep

2007-02-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

Can I first say that for any aspiring Communications Interns, that one of your responsibilities (official or unofficial) will be to make the other interns blog. I'm just sayin'...

In the building today, we have first rehearsal for MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE, tech rehearsal for FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN and a performance of BLUE DOOR. Even though we are getting near the end of our season and our internships, we are not nearly done. There are still three more shows yet to open and many things to do. What kind of theatre would we be if about a hundred things weren't happening at once.

My day will include collecting contracts and paperwork from artists at RACHEL CORRIE first rehearsal; Sitting in on FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN tech and keeping the tech snack bowl stocked (I take pride in my work) and also running errands if necessary (but it is seldom necessary. Basically, as the PM intern during tech, I am there to observe how the production manager oversees the tech process and facilitates communication between guest artists and staff and between the departments here. If all goes well, the production manager's job is fairly easy, but if problems arise, they spring into action (like a superhero?!) and calm the waters so the show runs smoothly. This year, since we have had several production mangers, I have seem a few different styles and it has been a good learning experience.

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN and BLUE DOOR are both shows that have been produced elsewhere. We are utilizing the same directors and most of the same design team from the previous productions. As I recall, they are not a true "co-production" but the communication and collaboration between the theatres is definitely there. Honestly, I still don't quite understand the definition of a true co-production. Maybe that is something I should accomplish before my internship ends, eh? But I bring this up because I've noticed that regional theatres often work together in various ways to produce a show. I didn't really understand that until I worked here. I have also become very aware that the theatre community nation-wide is very VERY small. If you piss someone off today, you will inevitably run into them somewhere down the line.
Alright I have to go meet with the Company Manager to go over contract stuff.

Chris - Production

And We're Going to See the Board!

2007-02-14T17:50:00.001-08:00

Okay, so we already went yesterday, but it was a very neat experience. 11 out of 12 of us went with our fearless leader Fran, and gave a 35 minute presentation on the Professional Arts Training Program. It was a great opportunity for us to not only get to observe how a board meeting runs, but also for them to learn specifics about the program and to meet us and vice versa. The internship program allows us to be integrally involved in the day-to-day workings of the theatre, but I don't think the board had a reason to know who we were before that day. They were all very excited to talk to us, and hear more about us on an individual basis.

And best of all they fed us! Yes, it seems that we're obsessed with food, but we've learned to live on limited income and free food is always welcome. We were even given togo boxes to take home leftovers. A good day :)

One of Those Days...

2007-02-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those days that I just don't feel like I can get work done. I should be starting a number of different projects, but I currently feel the need to procrastinate. However, posting to this blog is one of the things that I needed to get done, so I suppose irony ensues...

My projects are generally quite eclectic and therefore they make my head spin a little. I have stacks of opening night invitations sitting on my desk for the media because I'm in the middle of my "press unit." I need to start poking people (gently reminding them that the deadline for bios and such is quickly approaching) about the Gem of the Ocean Encore (Encore is the company that lays out and prints our programs). And I have to slog through some Education marketing stuff. And somehow, I have to goad the other interns into posting. It's not easy to get them to comply sometimes...

I'm really looking forward to the board meeting today. We are all going to represent the internship program to the board. It should be interesting, and they're feeding us afterward. I'm a sucker for free food!

~Winnie
Communications Intern

David Esbjornson Gave me 20 bucks

2007-02-08T11:30:00.000-08:00

Design Intern finally getting my act together and "blogging"

For starters I would like to point out that this is my first blog EVER I just don't blog, not on My Space not on friendster nope no blogging for me. However one of the things you will learn here is that eventually the communications intern will guilt you into such activities so seeing as I am not currently in tech. . .
Anyways as I am sure has been mentioned in prior posts All of the 12 interns this season are female (think SRT Greek Life) and so to much of the staff it is a bit of a surprise to see so many young women traveling around the building in little flocks, and such occasions, sometimes much to our annoyance, rarely go with out comment. So one evening, many tech weeks ago I am hovering over the cubical wall of the artistic office deep in conference with the two artistic interns, about whether or not we can really justify going out for dinner on our meager stipends. About 10 minutes into our debate David Esbjornson (the artistic director for those who don't know) walks around the corner and surprised at seeing the three of us exclaims "uh oh intern conference"
I of course feeling slightly punchy retort "yep, we are debating whether or not we can afford to buy dinner" hum slight embarrassment at retort to artistic leader of the organization.
David suddenly slightly mortified "that's terrible" and then reaching in his pockets "you want 20 bucks?" ummmmmmmm say what????

Well what does one say to that, bearing in mind that we really aren't sure if we can afford to buy dinner, so my response is "well. . . I wouldn't say no" did I really just say that?!?!?!?

so he hands Kati and I the cash which we stare at somewhat blankly while stammering 'thank yous' as David walks away hysterical giggling and excitement ensue at the shock and then realization that this allots for dinner other than soggy old pre made sandwiches

Kati and I went out for Thai food (mmmmm pad thai) Erin unfortunately went to bar tend some event in the lobby,
After dinner Kati and I wanting to share the joy of the occasion brought back Brownies (aptly titled "David Esbjornson brownies") for all past and present interns to enjoy

So there it is the exciting tale of free Thai food sponsored by David

A Letter From Our Sponsor...

2007-02-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

Fran Kao, Education Programs Manager and the interns' fearless leader here at the Rep wrote the following letter to the entire staff because of an event the interns hosted as ambassadors for the Rep:

Hi Seattle Rep Staff,

I was going to enter this into the cue sheet but just could not wait to share the joy.

Last night our interns did us proud and the Seattle community felt the rewards of their work and care for the art presented on our stages.

Background info:
Seattle Rep, along with numerous cultural and arts organizations in Seattle, is presenting Susan Lori Parks 365days/365plays.
(Basically a play a day in major metropolitan areas of the nation)
At the end of each month a marathon is done that reprises all the plays of the month.
Last night Seattle Rep hosted the marathon for the month of January.
Having now been involved in this giant collaborative process since November 2006 it is proven itself time and time again as a very positive community effort and the coordination of that community in terms of information flow, logistics and production is as challenging as it is rewarding.

What does that mean for a presenting organization (in the case of last night SRT)?
It means we CHOOSE how the experience will be for the participants AND for the audience, and do so with very little info if any ahead of time.

Our 06-07 INTERNS not only stepped up to fill a void in our organization in terms of producing this event but they ALSO CHOSE to bring a high level of care and organization to the preparation and the flow of the evening.

What was the result?
All participates were well cared for.
Each organization's theatrical needs were met with ease and grace.
Our audience got to experience 28 plays in under 2 hours with a sense that Seattle Rep fully embraces works developed by outside organizations on our PONCHO forum stage.

In my experience (and maybe your's too) community driven work with lots of small under-staffed organizations can be taxing and messy but well worth the effort.
Last night our interns showed me that a large institution (like SRT) can indeed create an environment that is welcoming to all, supportive without being controlling and the plethora of performances/artists/artistic styles can be a streamlined experience for audiences (which in the case-Susan Lori Parks- is plus in gaining insight into her writing.)

Every time we do community based events we will learn more and more
Last night we all learned a lot from our interns.

Angelina, Chris, Dante, Deb, Emily, Erin, Jenn, Katie C., Kati S., Sarah, Tammy and Winnie -INTERNS YOU ROCK!

Thanks for reading pass it on to those without email and share the joy

-Fran

Frances Kao
Education Program Manager
Seattle Repertory Theatre

All My Teenage Boys

2007-02-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

I just sent out a company-wide email asking everyone if they knew any teen boys who could act. Of course, I immediately received about ten responses implying that I shouldn't use company-wide emails to facilitate my craddle-robbing ways.

Actually, I was looking for suggestions for our upcoming production of Fire on the Mountain--NOT a date for Friday night. We don't often cast juvenile actors in our plays, so Jerry (the Casting Director) and I wanted to start thinking outside the box about where we were going to find these little puppies. So I called just about every other theatre in town, sent emails to everyone I knew, and looked back through about six seasons worth of casting files.

Sometimes as the casting intern, I feel like a reporter following up leads for a big story. Except I don't get to wear a trench coat. And Jerry and I don't meet in dark alleys or parking garages. But other than that, when casting roles that require a type of actor the Rep doesn't usually use (kids are a great example), I get to be this whole new kind of crazy and resourceful. And it's kind of exhilarating looking for the right person for a role--much like it would probably be to write a front page story for the NY Times; you know the information (or, in my case, the actor) is out there, but its up to you to find it.

Anyway, I have to get back to finding young boys and creating the actor packet for Gem of the Ocean (more on that later). I'll check in as time and procrastination permit.

--Erin Kraft, Artistic/Casting Intern

If You Wannabe...And Then I Found Five Bucks!

2007-02-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

Seattle Repertory Taco presents

Fiesta Repicana

Well Fiesta Repicana was actually last Monday. We had an awesome mid-winter party which included margaritas, karaoke SMACK DOWN, and a taco bar. Mmmm yum! There was also a ping pong table and a mini golf course in the lobby. Who else but theatre people know how to throw such an awesome party?

But the interns got up there and sang "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls...

It goes: "If you wannabe be my lover, blah blah blah" (You're going to have it stuck in your head all day now aren't ya?)

But we won Best Group Performance in the Karaoke SMACK DOWN. Our prizes were 3 dollar gift cards to Starbuck's. (Hey, this is Seattle, that is an awesome prize to feed a socially-acceptable vice) First place went to Alycia (Assistant Company Manager who sang "Sweet Child of Mine" with many awesome improved dance breaks), second place went to Christian (Shop Carpentar who sang "Still Rock N Roll to Me," and his rendition of Cyndi Lauper's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" with many inserted strong expletives later in the evening was an awesome encore), and third place went to Christy Carlson (Box Office Manager who sang "Walkin' On Sunshine")

Best of all though was Cynthia, Director of Marketing and Communications, who came to seminar on Friday and paid up. She had promised five bucks to anyone who would get up and sing the Spice Girls' "Wannabe." We didn't ask if it was five dollars to the group or to each person, but she gave us each five bucks. Yay!

So...we each found five bucks...

Go Stage Management

2007-01-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

I just realized that none of the Stage Management interns have given a blog on here. So, I decided that we should have at least one blog from this department. Well at the moment Stage Management is kinda slow. I (Sarah) am going into tech starting tonight for The Lady From Dubuque. Tammy is currently working on the Roosevelt Playwriting Project, with Roosevelt High School. Deb left for New York today to finish pre-production and the first week of rehearsals for Blue Door.

We are about half way through the season and all is well. We are super busy, because we work 8-10 hour days 6 days a week. I love seeing everything come together during tech but it is going to be a long couple of days. We have our first 10/12 tomorrow....so it will be a long but good day.

In seminar this morning, we went over resumes and cover letters. Lots of helpful tips that will be great because we are now looking for jobs after life at the Rep.

Well...I need to get back to rehearsal.

Sarah Bachik
Stage Management Intern

Nothing brilliant, sorry

2006-12-28T16:25:00.000-08:00

It is currently the week between Christmas and New Year's. Some people are here and others took the time off. It reminded me that different departments in the theatre work on very different timeframes. While the shop is building our next show that opens in a few weeks, others in the building are planning next year's season and looking even further in the future to something like 2013. Me, I've got my finger in a few of those pies. It also makes me think where I'll be next month, next year and in 2013 and my head hurts from thinking about that.

Chris - Production

More Pictures of the Day of Joy

2006-12-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

The Day of Joy

2006-12-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

The overwhelming generosity of the staff here at Seattle Rep cannot be expressed in words so I think these pictures will help.

They blindfolded us and spun us around a little to help us "choose" which boxes were ours. This basically means that when they were done spinning us, they spun us into place in front of what were now to be our boxes.

Then it became a bartering frenzy as people tried to trade away things they either disliked, were allergic to, or felt wasn't important enough to keep.

The props intern is where?

2006-11-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

Today, I am working with the education department. Now, I know that’s a little odd since I am the props intern, but I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to explore some of the other departments in the theatre and so it was set up where I can do that. Handy dandy. The shop is off this week for vacation time and so it was the perfect opportunity for me to come in and shadow education. Yesterday I went to two high schools to watch the teaching artists work. It is such an exciting thing to watch. They are so full of energy and they really get the kids excited about the projects. The class at Roosevelt High School was learning about playwriting and I was able to listen to two of the plays they had created. It was so impressive. Their work was interesting and well put together. It just shows how much creative potential kids have.
Also, this morning I had a meeting with the literary department head. I was interested in the work they do and wanted to get involved. So, now I’m part of the reading team. I was sent off with five scripts and a form for filling out evaluations. I am so excited. I am just interested in so many aspects of the theatrical process. I’m glad that they are so understanding here that they let me experiment with my talents beyond just props.
As a side note, the SRO gave us our food boxes the Friday before Thanksgiving and it was awesome. I now have so much stuff in my cabinets that it is insane. I have more graham crackers than I will ever need and it is exciting.
Thats all folks.

Katie Cox
Props intern

One free minute

2006-11-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

So the idea of this thing was presented to us as a way for people (perspective interns perhaps) to get a glimpse into what it really is like to be an intern here at the Rep. As you have read, this blog has very few entries thus far. That would be because we are friggin busy. Actually, we have been busy for the past month or so opening two shows back-to-back in our two theatres. But now that those shows are running smoothly, we can breathe a little and maybe even throw you a blog or two.
Here in Production, we are looking ahead to next year already. While shows haven't been decided on yet, the size of the show, and thusly the size of the budget, are being hashed out. Deadlines are also being looked at. Some stuff happened this year with deadlines and a hefty price was paid - literally. Suffice it to say DESIGNERS MEET YOUR DEADLINES. That's all I'm gonna say on that.
In other news, some of us interns that aren't going home for Thanksgiving are getting together for our own Friendsgiving. Just think, food, drinks, no parents or other relatives to annoy us with questions like "You want to do WHAT with your career?" or "So what are you gonna do after your internship?". Let me tell you right now, the answer is we'll let you know when we figure it out for ourselves. We went grocery shopping this weekend to supplement the food we got in our intern food boxes and we are going to cook up a feast on Thursday. There may or may not be pictures...

Alright, back to work.

-Christine Rouleau, Production

Miles Standish

2006-11-17T14:45:00.000-08:00

Since interns are paid a weekly stipend (which is more than can be said for many theatre internships) that does allow for expendable income, sometimes in the year the staff generously helps us out.

Leading this effort is Miles Standish--founding father and protector of the poor. He can be seen signing the Mayflower Compact left. Wikipedia has this to say about him:

"Miles Standish (c. 1584 - October 3, 1656), was an English-born professional soldier hired by the Pilgrims as military advisor for Plymouth colony. Arriving on the Mayflower, he worked on colonial defense."

Well he visited earlier this week to take up a collection for the annual intern food boxes. This is Miles Standish in 2006.

This year, he's more Attila the Standish or Miles Kahn, but hey, Pilgrims can embrace diverse fashion trends if they choose to do so.

In reference to the intern food boxes, there is a sign in the board room that reads:

"A day will come when interns are given great sustenance, when powerful protein and well-rounded nutritious bounties are bestowed upon them in glory.

Today is not that day."

There is hope that day will come soon though. Stay tuned...

2006-11-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

This is a group pic taken at the last rehearsal for Mantrap...er...Meta (working title)...shhh! don't tell.

Trick or Treating

2006-11-02T15:50:00.000-08:00

So here are a few things we came out with:

A packet of Irish oatmeal, a green apple, a white chocolate Reese's peanut butter cup, an Almond Joy mini bar, a mini Three Musketeers, a friendship bracelet, a red Sharpie, a tiny snickers, a Hershey's hug, a Nestle crunch bar (mini), a partial stack of tiny Post-its, and an applesauce cup.

Someone else got a full box of Triscuits and cheese puffs dumped directly into the pillowcase.

I think considering we didn't tell anyone we were coming, we did quite well.

...we were also given bottles of wine by a senior staff member who didn't have anything at the time and made good on his promise to get something for us.

Halloween

2006-10-31T12:11:00.000-08:00

Although we don't have a ton of time due to tech week busy-ness, we've still decided that we will take our precious lunch break and go trick-or-treating around the office. Although we don't really have costumes, and didn't inform our co-workers that we were going to do this - we'll see what happens...

We've also decided that since we couldn't think of a Halloween song per se, this is the song we'll sing:

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Among the "costumes" are a chef's hat con orange shirt (Halloween spirit!), a gypsy, a bunny, a winged thing...

Happy Halloween!!!

Welcome

2006-10-31T12:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome! This is the blog of Seattle Rep Interns 2006-2007. We're currently in tech rehearsals for The Great Gatsby, and running around like crazy people. It's tons of fun though. Keep posted for more.