This summer the Bates Dance Festival had nineteen interns working behind the scenes of the theater, office, and more to help keep this vibrant festival up and running. The BDF interns hail from all corners of the country and descended upon the Festival to share their passion for dance. Six interns assisted our Youth Arts Program, six interns worked in the administrative offices, two interns documented the Festival on film, and five interns tirelessly worked in the theater doing technical work. All of the interns also have the chance to take courses in the Professional Training Program and are fully immersed in Festival life. Below are testimonies from some of the interns’ experiences here at BDF.
Video Interns Heather O’Neill and Sharon Keenan
“Not only am I learning valuable in-class skills by observing such incredible teachers, but I am also thinking more holistically about arts education. It takes a village to raise an artist… I am so proud to spend my time here at Bates! I feel like new doors are opening for me here. By being around so many experienced artists, I’m learning every day how much I don’t know about dance or learning and how limitless my creative future can be. I will bring forward with me a freshly fueled passion and inspiration for the arts, along with new collaborators and support networks.”
Olandra Lickter is a 2016 Education Intern. A UC Santa Cruz graduate she lives in New Orleans, where she works for an arts enrichment program providing quality arts education for all regardless of financial hardship.
Education Interns Timna Naim, Olandra Lickter, Gavin Scheurch, Woods Fairchild, Jazmine Taylor-Hughlett, and Laura Pietropaoli
“Everyone here has been so lovely it’s amazing that everyone working here is a dancer so there’s something that bonds us all regardless of our current roles here.”
Blake Caple is a 2016 Arts Administration/Photography Intern. From Somersworth, NH, Blake is entering his senior year at Goucher College where he studies Dance and Business with a concentration in Arts Administration.
“Being able to hold real responsibilities directed toward keeping the incredible dance education and live performance alive at BDF has reminded me of the important value of a strong community…At every step of my journey as an intern at Bates, I’m constantly grateful to be a part of an actively dance-driven and kind-hearted community of people who give back to the primary foundation and mission of the organization: to be a place where dancers come to connect and be together.”
Hailing from Santa Cruz, CA, Gracie Winston is a recent graduate of UCLA. Gracie is a 2016 Arts Administration Intern.
Tech Interns Rebecca Brill-Weitz, Liam Shaffer, Jason Ross, Joanna McLarnan, and Robin Ediger-Seto
“When I heard about the Bates Dance Festival, the first thing that was said to me was “You will feel like you have a family.” I dare to say that is the most truthful statement that has ever been said to me, coming back this summer felt like I never left. It felt like coming back home!”
Originally from Ecuador, Fernando Chonqui is back for his second year as an Arts Administration intern and manager of the BDF store. Fernando is entering his senior year at the University of South Florida.
“Bates provided the perfect balance of service work, art making, dance training, and intellectual discussion. I have been supported from day one by caring staff, other interns, and dancers. Bates provided an intimate and safe, accessible learning environment that has helped shaped my artistry, goals, and ambitions.”
Arts Administration Interns (left to right) Nolan Hoppe-Leonard, Chava Lansky, Gracie Winston, Sydney Burrows, Blake Caple, and Fernando Chonqui
Jazmine Taylor-Hughlett is a 2016 Education Intern. Originally from Milwaukee, WI Jazmine is earning her BFA in Dance from the University of North Texas.
This post was written by Chava Lansky. Chava is the BDF Social Media Intern for the 2016 summer.
