Victory Gardens Internship

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This summer, I had the privilege of working at Victory Gardens Theater. There I worked in the administrative office and the box office and got first hand knowledge of how a successive theater works.

Last semester I decided to look for an internship and started by looking online at different theater companies in Chicago. I applied at 5 or 6 companies (and continued to call and contact them to make sure that they got my application, etc.) and ended up getting contacted by 2. Victory Gardens offered me the internship and I was able to work for them every Wednesday and Friday from 11-5 for 2 months.

Over the summer I worked on different projects including: single ticket and subscription sales, contracts for Actors who belong to Actors Equity and are hired by VG, calling ticket buyers to remind them about the tickets they purchased, and I worked with the ticket sales program called ProVenue. I learned a lot from the General Manager of VG and the Box Office Coorordinator. I know that I experienced things that will benefit me in the future. It was amazing to see how much goes on "behind the scenes" because you can't put on a show without putting people in the seats! From marketing to development to paying the bills to stay in the theater space to selling the tickets, a lot happens before the lights go up on the stage!

There were also 2 very exciting events that took place at Victory Gardens this summer. First was the fact that since VG owns the Biograph theater, we received much press due to the release of the Johnny Depp movie Public Enemies. John Dillinger was shot at the Biograph, making it a historical site and also a location that was filmed and featured in the movie. It was fun to see all of the tourists walk by a take pictures at this historic building!
Second, William Petersen, from the hit show CSI, starred in a show at the theatre. Due to William Petersen's popularity, Blackbird (his show) sold out completely and then even after we extended the run, it sold out again!! It was really great to see a small theater like Victory Gardens get so much wonderful press!!

Victory Gardens is a "Playwright's Theater". In other words, it is devoted to getting out new works. I got to experience new shows that really opened my eyes to whats up and coming in today's theater! I am so lucky to have had this opportunity and learn so much!

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