NATCHITOCHES – More than 20 Northwestern State University theatre and dance students are working throughout the United States in professional theatre and dance jobs this summer or are preparing to enter graduate school. The students are working for companies, facilities or institutions in 11 states in a variety of performing, technical and business-related roles.
“Professional summer employment opportunities are among the most transformative experiences for students preparing to enter the theatre industry,” said Brett Garfinkel, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at NSU. “While classroom instruction and production work on campus provide the essential foundation of artistic and technical training, summer positions allow students to apply those skills in professional environments where expectations, collaboration and industry standards operate at a much higher level.”
Students who are working professionally this summer or preparing for other opportunities are Kaydon Drake of Hallsville, Texas, and C. Hope Chauffe of Lafayette are at the Texas Shakespeare Festival in Kilgore, Texas, and Mia Jolie Rodriquez of Marksville is performing at Fort Totten Little Theatre in St. Michael, North Dakota.
Kema Amine of Dallas, Makenzie Scroggs of Marksville, Jaeda Barrett of New Orleans and William Kielwasser of Monroe are working at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio.
Kwincy Pierre of Lafayette is performing at Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, Tennessee; Tyler Sibley of Alexandria is performing at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers, Florida, and J. Cole Becton of Lake Charles is performing at TEXAS! The Outdoor Musical in Canyon, Texas.
Caleb Barton of Marksville is performing at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford, Connecticut, and Tristan Olivier of Lutcher is performing at Tulane Summer Lyric in New Orleans. ShayAnna Arlene Beatty of Shreveport, Ava Schorr of Thibodaux, Halle Ortego of Lake Charles and Abbigail Delanoix and Vee Duran of Denham Springs are at Missoula’s Children Theatre in Missoula, Montana.
Dylan Freeman of Lake Charles is performing at Broadway Rose Theatre Company in Tigard, Oregon, and Ashley Harkey of Longview, Texas, is working at Weathervane Theatre in Whitfield, New Hampshire. Liz Bonnette-Becton from Lake Charles was accepted in the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign working towards an MFA in costume technology and Jay Trosclair of Bourg is at Actor Therapy’s Summer Intensive in New York City, working with Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez and composer and lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver.
Garfinkel said these opportunities bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice.
“Whether students are working in regional theatres, summer stock companies, theme parks, touring productions, design studios or arts organizations, they are immersed in fast-paced settings that demand adaptability, discipline, creativity and professionalism,” said Garfinkel. “Students learn how to communicate effectively with industry professionals, manage rigorous production schedules, problem-solve under pressure and contribute meaningfully as members of a professional team.”
According to Garfinkel, professional summer work helps students build confidence in their abilities.
“Experiencing success outside of the university setting validates the training they have received and demonstrates that they can compete and thrive in the industry,” said Garfinkel. “These experiences often become defining moments in a student’s development as emerging artists and professionals.”
Garfinkel said summer employment also plays a critical role in increasing students’ marketability after graduation. Employers consistently seek candidates who possess not only talent, but also real-world experience and a proven understanding of professional expectations. Students who graduate with multiple professional credits, industry references and established networks are often better positioned to secure future contracts, auditions, internships, apprenticeships and full-time employment opportunities.
According to Garfinkel, in many cases, these summer experiences have become the beginning of long-term professional relationships. Students make valuable industry connections with directors, designers, technicians, stage managers, choreographers and company leaders who may later serve as mentors, collaborators or future employers. He said the professional network students begin cultivating during these formative experiences can have a lasting impact on their careers.
“These accomplishments reflect the dedication, talent and work ethic of our students,” said Garfinkel. “Securing professional summer employment is not simply a resume-building exercise; it is evidence that our students are being recognized by the industry for their preparation, artistry and potential. Their success outside the classroom speaks to both their individual commitment and the strength of the training they receive as they prepare to become the next generation of theatre professionals.”
For more information on Northwestern theatre and dance programs, go to https://www.nsula.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/school-of-creative-and-performing-arts/theatre-and-dance/