Some might know and some might not that for the last 2 months I've been working as a set design intern at my local high school (also where my brother is a senior, and where I've helped with costuming the last 3 years). I did this because I needed a few internship credits and I didn't want to be lame and fulfill them by cleaning the studios at my school or watering graduate students' plants. I admit that initially (ok, maybe until like yesterday) I was terrified that I would actually have the responsibility of helping to get the show up and running. I was given a few assignments by the director and left largely on my own, and each of them in their own way challenged the hell out of me.
But I can't even say how much I am glad I did this show. I learned a lot, and some of it was awesome, and some of it made me want to rip my hair out. But I liked it so much that I think I've found the path I want to explore after college. I'm looking into graduate schools for either set design, costuming, or both, and I really want to help with this school's musical next year- the production will be Peter Pan!!! I feel like I'd been searching for what I want to do since I started college, and it is the biggest relief to just know in what direction I want to go when I graduate. All of a sudden, I feel like I'm done with school and ready to try being a grown-up....well, maybe.
Anyway, I will definitely try to get my job again for next year, whether for credit or not. Hopefully my director will have me back! Otherwise, I'll go back to volunteering with costumes...
And how perfect that my favorite Disney story and my favorite Alan Menken song of all time (If I can't love her) were my introduction back into theater. I think in 20 years it will be very cool to say the first show I really worked on was Beauty and the Beast! :)
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