The Intern Experience
by Current Pearl Theatre Intern Veronica Decker
“Hi this is Sarah Wozniak calling from The Pearl Theatre Company and this message is for Veronica Decker. Thank you for speaking with me the other day—you are a great candidate for our Arts Administration internship, and I was wondering if you would like to join our team this summer…”
I stopped dead in my tracks on UPenn’s cobbled Locust Walk. It was a warm April afternoon—the sun was shining and sound wave after sound wave of 90’s nostalgia (oxymoron?) poured forth from frat-house windows. But I, as usual, was stressed beyond belief—2 papers and 4 finals loomed in the distance, followed by a summer of potential unemployment despite countless applications. Yet suddenly, the latter concern was a thing of the past; I had an internship in NY theatre administration—an opportunity that would define my last summer of college, and perhaps, my future.
First day: I take note of all coffee establishments in a 2-block radius—partly for my own obsession but mostly because I figure coffee-runs will constitute a large portion of my job description. I could not be more wrong. “So this is your desk,” Sarah gestures with a flourish, indicating the front desk, replete with phone and voicemail, my own Mac, and a sweet, sweet roll-y chair. “This is our casting filing system,” she continues as she approaches an imposing metal structure. “It’ll be your job to maintain the upkeep of this system, as well as to reorganize the library down the hall.” Add to those tasks Arts-in-Education initiatives, assisting with Scoundrels staged readings, sitting in on auditions, and youth audience outreach, and you’ve got a list of my responsibilities established on the very first day.
To say that working as the Arts Administration Intern at The Pearl has been a learning experience would be the ultimate understatement. As I wrap up my final week with this incredible company (no blackmail was involved here, I swear), I realize that the knowledge and confidence I’ve gained in this field are invaluable. I’ve been entrusted with preserving the integrity of Molière’s verse and Ibsen’s dark wit while editing sides for auditions; I’ve designed a program for the Scoundrels reading of Clean Alternatives, conducted research regarding local college curriculums and activities to build student audiences, and monitored callbacks in which hundreds of actors passed through The Pearl’s doors. And to complete these projects under the guidance of The Pearl staff—a group that works tirelessly yet still appreciates the value of a good discussion on LOST—has been simply amazing.
Despite the mere 9 months that stand between me and my college graduation, I’m still not sure where my English and Theatre Arts degree will take me come May— maybe I’ll audition by day and sing ‘n’ serve at Ellen’s Stardust Diner by night, or venture into Ben Brantley’s world of theatre criticism. But my time at The Pearl has me leaning more and more towards a career in theatre administration—the diversity of tasks and dedication to producing quality art in this field are just so satisfying and appealing. I’m so grateful for my experience here at The Pearl, and cannot wait to see the final products of our 27th season.
