Castle Theatre internship

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My names Jay Lowers and I am currently doing my music business practicum. Well technically I did it last semester but continued it this semester and am currently working there as well. My internship is as The Castle Theatre in Bloomington Il, I knew of the Castle prior to Rose's class because I went to a couple shows there before and I really wanted to get into the internship or have some opportunity to get involved there but wasn't sure how or where to start. I finally found out how when Rose had John Campbell come in and speak about the Castle and the opportunities of interning there. I knew then that I wanted to do and would do whatever I could to do it. I got Johns email and talked back and forth and all the students that wanted to do the internship were taken and I have been there since. We do general maintenance of the theatre because if there wasn't people to clean up, the venue would be a wreck because Rory (the owner) and Nicole (Rory's assistant) can't do everything. I see it as general cut and dry hours in the day are for running the ticket booth, answering phones, up keep of the venue, learning how to interact with customers, promoters, distribution representatives, and learning the general in's and out's out the theatre. The time to really learn things about the business are at the shows, talking to artists, talking to managers, sound guys, the promoters of the shows whether it be SAW events, Phenomenon productions, Kickstand and other production companies. Talking to these people you can really learn a lot of how things in the business really work. Sometimes just being a fly on the wall and listening is how I learned things. I learned how the Castle uses a Coors Light sponsorship to get money, the Castle only sells beers from coors light such as coors light, fat tire, blue moon etc. And they advertise Coors Light as the official beer of the Castle Theatre. They sell the beer and gain revenue in return. I also learned how the venue works with outside promoters to bring shows into the room, booking the shows, how bands set up and load out, how touring life really is to name just some of the things. My outlook on the music business has changed I used to think it was just about signing bands and touring the world but realized it's an actual business that can be pretty complicated and stressful but if you love the music and being around music go for a job in the business. Working at the Castle getting to watch shows nearly on nightly basis is a dream. I never would have thought I would be where I am a year ago. I met my favorite band of all time at the Castle, I helped load them in and thats enough to thankful for. The more you're in the internship the more you learn, you never stop learning.

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