Working in the Theater and Dance Department

One of the highlights of my Carleton experience has been my involvement with the Theater and Dance Department. I love working as both an Office Assistant and a Technical Assistant. This year, I will be splitting my time between both positions. I’m very excited!

What does an Office Assistant do?

Office Assistants can be found in every department at Carleton. In this position, a student worker will help out with general administrative tasks. This can include making deliveries around campus or scanning documents. I was assigned to this position during my first year at Carleton. I have particularly loved getting to complete various tasks for different members of the department!

What about a Technical Assistant?

A Technical Assistant is better known as a Shop Worker. These students work on the Player’s Production each term as well as other projects. Generally, shop workers do technical theater tasks. This can range from hanging and focusing lights to building sawhorses to stage managing the production. I love the variety of work I get to do in this position and how much I’ve learned about lighting!

Working during COVID

Although last year was certainly not business-as-usual, I was still able to work with the Theater and Dance department. We stayed at least six feet apart from each other when working in person. Some tasks were able to be completed at home. I felt incredibly safe while working during the fall, and though I missed our typical work routines I am really glad we were still able to see each other safely! If you have any concerns, definitely reach out to your work supervisor.

Balancing your schedule

Students are only allowed to work a maximum of 8 hours each week during their first year on campus. That means you will have plenty of time for homework and extracurricular activities! In my positions, I have had a lot of control over my schedule. Even when that isn’t the case, though, the workload of all student employment positions is very manageable. Also, many work shifts happen during the day. That means you’ll likely have plenty of time in the evenings!

Do you have to work for Theater and Dance to get involved?

Absolutely not! There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with productions without working for the department. You can audition for the Player’s Production every term and earn course credit for your work. Technicians can reach out to the Technical Theater Team (TTT) to find productions to work on. There are plenty of dance groups on campus. For performers, we have three comedy groups and the Experimental Theater Board (ETB). Best of all, you don’t need to have a lot of previous experience!

McKenna is a Russian and Psychology double major who is thrilled to be spending the summer in Minnesota! On campus, she’s often designing lights for a student performance, speaking Russian in Parish house, or grabbing a meal with friends. She’s also a proud member of the Carleton Equestrian Team. Off campus, she participates in the CLS Program and is a tutor with Paper Airplanes. Meet the other Bloggers!