On February 20th, ArtsForce hosted a trek to Pioneer Theatre Company, a professional theatre located on the western end of campus. Each theatrical season they host includes a mixture of classics, large-scale musicals and contemporary dramas and comedies. PTC is typically a very busy space, but we were fortunate to be able to schedule our trek during a rare gap week between productions.
Our Guides
On our trek, we received a full tour of the facilities and a Q&A session with our tour guides. The tour was led by Dylan McKernan, the Company & Operations Manager, and Eric Jackson, the Associate Artistic & Outreach Director.
Dylan received a BFA and MFA in stage management, but quickly realized that the intense travel requirements for full-time stage managers did not match her personal needs. Stage managers typically travel for shows 10 months of the year. Knowing this, Dylan chose to pursue Company & Operations management at PTC, where she can still participate in theatre management in a way that is more compatible with her lifestyle.
Eric studied performance as an undergrad and became a Broadway performer. At the time, the creative director at PTC clicked with him and kept rehiring him as a performer. Even with his success, he knew he didn’t want performing to be his entire career, so he pivoted to creative directing. Eric started a small company with friends, where he honed directing and choreography skills. Because of this experience, he ended up very qualified for the creative director position at PTC, and got the job when it opened.
Main seating area (image courtesy of Chauntelle Janzer)
The Tour
PTC’s main attraction is its proscenium theatre with a 3-tier auditorium. The stage itself is massive, with ample fly space above the stage to hold extra sets during productions. Our guides gave us a close look at the prop and set building areas backstage, as well as the large prop storage room, which they nicknamed ‘Narnia’ because of how easy it is to get lost in the collection of props.
Set building area, ‘Narnia’
After touring the ground level, we descended into the basement. We peered into the surprisingly spacious trap room underneath the stage, where extra musicians can be housed during a performance. We also had a peek into the orchestra pit.
Further into the maze was the green room, where performers can socialize and refuel between performances, and the performer dressing rooms, decked out with clothing steamers and cots for a quick nap. We wandered through various offices and rehearsal rooms, into the costume design workshop and the meticulously organized costume storage area. Last was the hair & makeup room, where wigs are made from scratch and styled. We then returned to the main stage for our Q&A session with Eric and Dylan.
Costume design workshop
What student opportunities are available at PTC?
Eric and Dylan explained that there are a wide variety of opportunities available for students interested in working or interning for Pioneer Theatre Company. Many types of artists are required for successful theatre production – not only performers and musicians, but also designers and fabricators for costumes, hair and makeup, props, sets, etc.
PTC’s main internship program is for theatre students. After auditioning in, students perform in one production and intern as a crew member for the following season(approximately one semester), working alongside actors and receiving vital mentorship.Theatre students can express interest in this program through the U’s acting department, which is in direct communication with PTC.
Non-performing arts students are also welcome as interns, but internships for these students are not built-in programs. Students interested in interning for the theatre administration, costume, hair & makeup, prop, or set fabrication departments must reach out to PTC to set up single-semester opportunities.
The theatre also hires students to work in the ticket booth or to act as deck crew for performances. Many departments over-hire staff during production season to ensure successful shows. PTC is also looking for volunteer show ushers.
The biggest concern with hiring for theatre positions is finding people who can commit to long hours. For many theatre positions, employees must be present for all rehearsals and shows. Eric explained to us that the timeline for shows is very tight; a lot of work gets done over a very short period of time. For this reason, hiring people who are reliable, available, and fully committed to the position is crucial to the success of a production.
Eric’s tour of the green room
Contact and Upcoming Events
Check out PTC’s website if you are interested in an internship, job, or volunteer position. The theatre also rents out costumes and props to the public, which can be used in student-led films or shows. If you are interested in renting, email Eric Jackson at
The company’s current season is still ongoing; great shows are coming up in the next couple months! Tickets can be purchased here. U students have access to ArtsPass, which gives major discounts on ticket prices.
If you are enrolled in the College of Fine Arts and want more opportunities to connect with professionals, please attend ArtsForce’s Networking Event on Saturday, March 28th! We will be hosting a panel discussing the value of internships, teaching students how to network, and bringing in 10-15 local businesses that employ art students. RSVP here!
Trek attendees with Eric in the main lobby
ArtsForce Takeaways
- Networking is crucial. The majority of jobs Eric and Dylan found came from friends, professors, or other connections. Your reputation goes further than you do, so be conscious about how you interact with people, and you will be rewarded with community!
- There’s no singular direct path to where you want to go with your career. Creative fields shift constantly, and what you want might change. Be flexible and open to new opportunities.
- If you do what you love, you will never stop working. Building a supportive work community is important to avoid burnout!
