2017 Interns

In my Timehop today, I was greeted by a cheery picture of our first-ever EYT Youth Council.  Back in 2012, we had a four-member council to provide leadership to new and returning EYT students.  Of course, back in 2012 we also did not have a resident staff at the Empress or the producer position, or much of the progress I have watched unfold in the last five years.  This picture made me particularly proud of two things:

1) Our very first EYT Council President, Perry S. Whitehair, has just accepted a paid position on this year's production staff as Assistant Director.  Watching Perry combine his EYT experience with his ongoing education to bring it back and impact the next generation is, for me, what EYT is all about.

2) The new and improved version of the youth council - the internship program - is now staffed with 13 interns ready to learn how to someday run the theater.  When members of the Empress Resident Staff asked me the purpose of the internship program, I explained that in 10 or 15 or 20 years when we are all old and tired, it is these EYT kids who will take our places.  How awesome would it be to get to train them to carry on the traditions we have worked so hard to establish.

Without further ado, I announce to you the very first generation of EYT interns:

Executive Director Intern: Travis Hymas | Mentor: David Sullivan
Producer Intern: Melina Wrathall | Mentor: Andrea K. Fife
Director Intern: Kimberly Childs | Mentor: Jacqueline Vuki
Music Director Intern: Annie Hancock | Mentor: Cassidy Ellenberger
Choreography Intern: McKenna Holgerson | Mentor: Jacqueline Vuki
Stage Manager Intern: Adam Fife | Mentor: Andrea K. Fife
Properties Intern: Gracie Lopez | Mentor: Justina Spencer
Costume Intern: Shelby Oveson | Mentor: Ty Whiting
Set Design Intern: Jacob Murphy | Mentor: Logan Gifford
Set Painting Intern: Elnora Brunson | Mentor: Ehlana Gifford
Lighting Intern: Sylas Fordham | Mentor: Tanner Lindsay
Sound Intern: Keegan Dial | Mentor: Tanner Lindsay
Marketing Intern: Bryce Fordham | Mentor: Ty Whiting

Thank you to all who applied.  We are honored to be able to make a lasting impact through this program.