The hands-on learning Abigail Andrews has received at Southwest Baptist University
prepared her for her summer internship with the Des Moines (Iowa) Metro Opera.
“I’ve gotten to work in our theatre shop for the past three semesters, so I’ve learned a lot there,” the junior theatre major said. “I think SBU’s theatre program is phenomenal. We get to put our hands in every single aspect of theatre. We get to learn what an educational theatre and what a professional theatre look like. The theatre program here does a very good job of preparing students.”
Abigail spent her summer at the Des Moines Metro Opera, located at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, as a carpentry intern, gaining more knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes.
“I spent most of my days working in our shop,” Abigail said of her internship. “We built quite a few wagons (platforms on wheels) and random things for the three main stage productions – ‘Wosseck,’ ‘Candide’ and ‘La Boheme.’ I was constantly using power tools and became confident with a table, miter, oscillating, jig and router saws.
“We moved a lot of scenery as our performances were in rep (completely different sets come in every day) and did some serious lifting.”
In addition to the physical work, Abigail also attended intern workshops and talkbacks concerning the different aspects that go into putting on an opera.
“We got to talk to the designers and senior technicians about exactly what they do,” said the Iowa native. “They reviewed our résumés and portfolios, and I now am confident in my résumé and building my portfolio.
“Overall, this was a very hands-on internship. I learned the tools of our trade by doing them. I really don’t know how it could have been better. I just learned so much about how to build and how to correctly do theatre.”
SBU has played an important role in preparing Abigail for her future in the theatre.
“I’m given so many opportunities to do things that I think are super-helpful,” Abigail said. “With the different opportunities that we are given, we have expectations to meet. Our professors expect us to be able to do all the work and get things done. They want to help us get there. They’re never withholding information and I never feel like I’m totally out on my own.
“There are so many opportunities; if I’m going to learn theatre, I’m glad that I’m learning it at SBU. I think they recognize very well what it’s like to work in a professional theatre and all the different options, and they present all of them to us.”