Internship program provides PSU Theater students professional experience in performing arts

PSU student interns work on the set design for "The Rose Elf" at Lincoln Performance Hall.

Five PSU Theater students and recent graduates were selected to participate in the OrpheusPDX 2024 Pathways Program. The mentorship program pairs young artists in the performing arts with seasoned professionals, as they contribute to the production of the company's 2024 opera season, receiving real-world training in areas such as stage management, lighting design, set design, construction and more.

• Annissa Allred (Theater Arts major, expected graduation in 2025) is a stage management intern for OrpheusPDX's production of The Rose Elf, mentored by production stage manager Alayna Powell.
• Jill Catanzaro (Film major and Theater Arts minor, expected graduation in 2025) is an assistant lighting designer for The Rose Elf, mentored by lighting designer and PSU Theater faculty member Solomon Weisbard.
• Rachel Errico (Theater Arts major, expected graduation 2024) contributed as assistant lighting designer for Acis, Galatea & Polyphemus and was mentored by Solomon Weisbard.
• PSU Theater alum Alyssa Jewell (ʼ19) worked as associate set designer for Acis, Galatea & Polyphemus and was mentored by director and set designer Chas Rader-Shieber.
• PSU Theater alum Ray N.B. (ʼ24) was the props master for Acis, Galatea & Polyphemus and was mentored by props master and costume designer Sumi Wu.

"This program is so important because it provides emerging artists the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a professional environment, while simultaneously being able to learn and ask questions alongside a professional mentor," said student Annissa Allred. "For this type of work, there is no better way to ascertain knowledge."

Jill Catanzaro credits PSU's Theater program with preparing her for this internship. "PSU has connected me with creative minds that have helped me network my way into amazing opportunities," she said.

"The teachers at PSU create opportunities both in and out of the classroom for students to take on leadership positions," said Ray N.B. "I have really valued all the collaborative projects I completed as part of my degree program; they taught me to navigate the complex creative process that is theater. And I have been very fortunate to continue to work under Sumi Wu's guidance during this internship."

For some of the Theater students, the OrpheusPDX internship provided an introduction to the art of making opera. "Assisting Chas (director and set designer) gave me a perspective on dissecting and honoring a piece that made me very excited to dive into the world of opera," said Alyssa Jewell.

"Like any other field," said OrpheusPDX general and artistic director Christopher Mattaliano, "getting those first few connections can often be the most difficult steps. I recognize how fortunate I was early in my career to have assisted established professional artists, and how much I grew from their guidance and influence. I'm committed to providing those kinds of connections and experiences for the next generation."

Weisbard offered his kudos to both OrpheusPDX and Portland State's Theater program for supporting the next generation of artists. "It's wonderful to see these students and recent grads working alongside seasoned professionals," he said. "They're rigorous problem-solvers, creative thinkers, and delightful collaborators on the production team. PSU's training prepares students to flourish in a professional environment like OrpheusPDX."

OrpheusPDX's summer 2024 season included Acis, Galatea & Polyphemus, August 3-4, and concludes with The Rose Elf, running August 17-18, 2024, at Portland State University's Lincoln Performance Hall. Tickets ($15 for students; $50-$110 general) are available at https://orpheuspdx.org.