Life Beyond Grainger Hall, or in other words, two months after graduating from the Bolz Center for Arts Administration, has been full of shows up the Hill and sunny walks on the American Players Theatre campus in Spring Green, WI. Following graduation, I started full-time at the now Tony Award-winning theatre as their Marketing and Administrative Assistant. To say that I am lucky to work here is an understatement. Based on all of the things I learned in my time at the Bolz Center, APT is the epitome of what nonprofit theatre should look like. They work hard for their audience and for one another, putting their work and hearts at the forefront of everything they do.
I am so fortunate for my time in the MA Program for preparing me with a full scope of experience, practice and conversation to properly equip me for the work I now get to do every day. For instance, since coming to APT, I have started working alongside their board and attended my first-ever board meeting. I may have been the first person to ever feel giddy during a board meeting as it mirrored directly what I learned in class, and I felt ready to be a part of the bigger picture of the organization. In my position, I am lucky enough to get to interact with various departments throughout APT. With that, I feel that the Bolz Center instilled me with more knowledge on how to problem-solve, navigate and orchestrate all the various moving parts I oversee and interact with. It made it less intimidating because I’ve done it before.
Outside of work, I am fully enjoying my summer. Having time to reflect for the first time since graduation, I realized, this will be the first time that I have had free-time since I was in middle school. Growing up, weekends were filled with studies and extra-curriculars. In college: class, homework, internships and plays. In graduate school: all of that times 10. Now, I’ve been enjoying cooking more often at home, getting outside, exploring beautiful Spring Green and the surrounding areas and being present every single day on APT’s campus. Recently, I brought my Mom to a show and we got to relish in APT’s beautiful landscape, enjoy the famous concession treats and talk about the plays all the way home. And the best part? I got to come back the next day and do it all over again!
My time at the Bolz Center was many things. It challenged me, broadened my perspectives and ingrained a new confidence within me that makes me stand a little taller. The education I received was invaluable to where I am in my career and how I hope to grow. Now and always – Go Bolzies!!
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