Grand Valley and Civic Theatre announce internship agreement

Theatre students at Grand Valley State University will now have internship opportunities at West Michigan’s largest community theatre.

The Theatre Program at Grand Valley State University and the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre announce an internship agreement to offer upper-level students the opportunity to work in all areas of production and education.

“This is a great opportunity for our students,” said Karen Libman, associate professor of theatre in Grand Valley’s School of Communications. “Through these internship opportunities with Civic Theatre, our students will step directly into the world of professional and community theatre, gain valuable experience, and be more marketable when they graduate. We are so lucky to have this valuable resource available to our students.”

Jill Zwarensteyn, a senior theatre major from Comstock Park, will work this summer with the Civic’s education staff. Zwarensteyn has performed on Grand Valley’s stage in “The Vagina Monologues,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Nickel and Dimed.” She just completed her first short film, “Gold and Pharmaceuticals.”

Sarah McDowell, a junior theatre major from Fenton, will begin her internship in the directing area this fall. McDowell would like to become a director and a hair and makeup artist for the stage. Her recent accomplishments include stage managing for Grand Valley’s PS Series production of “Seven Passages: The Story of Gay Christians.” She is a state licensed cosmetologist and has been the hair artist for eight shows at Grand Valley. She also performed as Snout in the 2008 Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival production of “A Midsummer Night's Dream.”

“We are delighted by this opportunity to expand our educational outreach and help Grand Valley’s Theatre majors begin the transition from school to work,” said Bruce Tinker, Civic Theatre executive & artistic director. “This partnership is a great opportunity for Civic Theatre, Grand Valley and the students.”