During my internship with National Queer Theater, I discovered the value of learning not only from seasoned professionals but also from peers. Directors, producers, and advocates shared hard-earned lessons about resilience and vision in the arts that grounded me in the realities of the field, but just as transformative was what I learned from my closest co-intern. She came from an acting background, while I brought experience in LGBTQ+ advocacy and directing, and our different lenses made our conversations especially meaningful. She reminded me of the discipline, vulnerability, and personal stakes that actors bring to the work, while I offered insights into how advocacy can be woven into every layer of theatre-making. Together, we constantly pushed each other to articulate why this internship mattered to us, not just as an addition to our resumes, but as part of the kind of artists we hope to become. 

We also shared a strong admiration for the artists we encountered through the festival. After rehearsals or events, we would talk for hours about how inspiring they were, especially for their artistry, their commitment, and their passion. Those conversations were grounding reminders of what drew us to theatre in the first place and helped us clarify the values we want to carry forward in our own work. This blend of guidance from experts and inspiration from a peer made the internship uniquely powerful, as it showed me that growth in theatre and advocacy comes not only from mentors ahead of us, but also from the colleagues walking right beside us.