Another essential part of my internship with National Queer Theater was the professional development sessions we interns received, which gave me many practical tools I could carry beyond this summer. We had three sessions, each focused on a different but equally crucial aspect of making theatre: community engagement, producing, and directing. The session on community engagement reframed how I think about audiences, as it encouraged us to consider how we might converse with and inspire individuals to think more critically about the art they had consumed after the event. It wasn’t just about filling seats, but about inviting people into dialogue, making them feel represented and considering how advocacy can be woven into the theatrical experience itself. I learned that audience engagement is not just peripheral to the work, but it is the work.

Our producing session focused on everything that makes a production possible beyond the art itself: fundraising strategies, negotiating contracts, securing venues, and the logistics of ticketing. Finally, the directing session gave me a glimpse into both the artistic and professional side of leading a show. We discussed how to develop one’s directing style and vision, but also the very real challenges of navigating the business: building a resume, networking, and establishing a sustainable career. It was eye-opening to see directing not just as artistry, but as a continuous negotiation between passion and practicality. Together, these sessions reminded me that a career in theatre requires not only creativity, but also strategy, adaptability, and a deep commitment to community. Each workshop left me better informed and more excited about the possibilities ahead, whether in the rehearsal room, behind the production table, or in any future roles I may step into.