Candace Garnes, Summer 2012 Intern Extraordinare!

Last summer, we had the opportunity to hire a Community Outreach intern sponsored by ExxonMobil. Little did we know that we would have her new job title as Intern Extraordinare! Meet Candace Garnes, a current senior at The College of William and Mary with a major in Theatre and a minor in Marketing. From painting in the shop, to assisting as Camp Aide at It’s Elementary, reorganizing the main office to greeting patrons at box office, Candace went above and beyond as an intern for Encore’s busy summer of 2012!

Candace is a member of a number of organizations on campus, however she is most proud of her membership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., College Partnership for Kids Tutoring Program and the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. This year, she just finished a production of The Pillowman and is currently completing the set construction of Sitayana, a play written by a faculty member based on the Ramayana.

Encore: How did you hear about Encore’s internship and what made you interested to apply?

I met Sara Duke at a William and Mary networking event in D.C. where current students were given the opportunity to meet, chat with, and learn from alumni of the theatre department. It was at this function that she handed me a flier about the internship and it sounded like a lot of fun. I added it to the rest of the notes and things I had been taking and told myself that I would look over later. I remember it being the day the application was due that I was going through some files on my desk and trying to reorganize things that I came across the flier. I remembered how much I enjoyed Sara’s company and personality. I sat down right then and there and submitted my application. So really it was that one, very brief, but lasting encounter with Sara that convinced me to apply.

Encore: What did you enjoy most about your summer with Encore? Do you have a favorite memory?

This may sound cheesy but I really enjoyed meeting the people I met. I really think that it is the people that make and experience what it is and I met some amazing individuals this past summer. A favorite memory I have is of Aileen and I driving to find the storage unit so that we could pick up props for the County Fair. I remember driving with the windows down and it just being the most beautiful day, the radio playing, and us getting lost. And then when we finally made it to the storage unit I remember that place being very creepy. It was a fun time. My favorite thing that I did during the internship was organizing and cataloging all the scripts and cleaning up the upstairs office. That was such a fulfilling moment looking at that place and seeing how beautiful it all looked. Organization is the key to happiness.

Encore: What skills do you think helped you throughout your internship?

Being such a neat freak and lover of organizing really helped me with this internship. Also being able to think creatively was very important. There were many instances where things had to be presented or put together that having a creative mind was very useful. I’m specifically thinking about the study guides and the County Fair. Also being able to engage will people from different walks of life and different ages was very integral in my success at Encore. With my blog, presence at the box office and rehearsals, and my booth at the county fair I was always thinking about how I could reach and engage with people whether it be with my words or just a smile. But I suppose a Community Outreach intern should know how to reach out to the community.

Encore: What skill sets and experiences did you take away from your summer with Encore?

Encore was my first time working on a set. I had not yet taken the stagecraft course required of theatre majors at William and Mary so it was all very new to me. I learned some great skills on set construction and painting. I also gained a lot of knowledge on software that I had not really worked extensively with. But perhaps the biggest thing I learned is how a non-profit actually works and all of the things that go on in the background and everything that it takes to run a successful theatre organization.

Encore: What are your plans after college?

I am a senior and will graduate in just a few short days with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Theatre. I currently have a summer job awaiting me in Wellesley, Massachusetts where I will be the Office Manager for the Summer Exploration program which a summer camp for kids from all across the globe ages 9-17. At Explo students engage in a two or three week “camp” where they take classes in which ever area they choose and are encouraged to find their passions in life. After that I am looking for a job/internship/apprenticeship at a theatre company where I hope to learn what it is like to act at a theatre outside of college and I hope to take those lessons and apply them to theatre in London, England where I hope to move to within the next year or two before attending grad school.