This Is Why I Love What I Do

We'll be bringing you thoughts, notions, missives and other various and sundry items from all the inretsn here at Seattle Rep this year. Getting us kicked off with his first meditation on interning at Seattle Rep is Mike Bowers, one of our two Stage Management Interns:

I came into this internship unsure of whether or not I wanted to continue as a stage manager. I had worked on a show this summer that had made me seriously question if I loved it enough to continue putting up with bad attitudes, not feeling appreciated, and the general wear and tear of doing shows.

Then I had six weeks off, where I did nothing but stay up late, sleep in, and hang out with friends and family: Not the best way to prepare for a new rehearsal process in a place unlike any other that I have worked.

So the rehearsal process for Opus was a little bit rough for me. There are moments where there’s nothing to do but sit and watch as the director works through a particular moment with the actors, and the stage management table remains quiet. I found those moments to be incredibly frustrating, as I am one of those people who is used to multitasking.

And then tech happened, and it all came into focus for me. This was the first time that I’ve worked in a union house, so I wasn’t responsible for setting props and placing spike tape and the other minutiae that would drive me crazy on other shows. I was able to focus on the big picture. Watching transitions to see what would work and what wouldn’t. Making sure that the actors had everything that they needed before they entered the stage. Helping the wheel turn, as it were.

And that is why I do this. I have a love of being helpful and useful that only gets put to use when I am backstage during the run of show. So, as I continue to run this show and prepare to work on others throughout the season, I had a better understanding of where I am in this field, and where I’m going.

Now. If only I had worked lined up after this already…