Hennepin Arts and IATSE help launch the next generation of technical theater professionals
At Hennepin Arts, we know that inspiring students who are interested in pursuing the arts start at at any age. Through Spotlight Education, we are proud to celebrate and support the next generation of theater professionals.
This year, thanks to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), two technical theater students received a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of their achievements during Spotlight Showcase and were selected for the Technical Theater New York Experience in June. The recipients were Grant Conley from Minnetonka High School, and Keira Gray from Pierz Healy High School.
The Technical Theater New York Experience is an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City, where young artists observe, meet and learn alongside top technical theater professionals. During their time, Grant and Keira experienced the theater industry like never before. They participated in hands-on workshops, networked with theater professionals, took venue tours and enjoyed live performances including;
Tour and meeting of Playwriters Horizons
Visited Roundabout Theatre company with a tour and workshops
Met with the COO of The Booking Group
Visited and toured Hudson Scenic Design
Shadowed a performance of Disney's The Lion King and Aladdin
Sound check at Feinstein's 54 Below
And no trip to New York City would be complete without seeing some Broadway shows. Our students were able to attend The Lost Boys, The Rocky Horror Show, Ragtime, The Jimmy's, Disney's Aladdin and The Lion King.
Experiences like this expose students to the professional theater world while helping them build connections and confidence for future careers in the arts.
Hennepin Arts is incredibly grateful to IATSE for continuing to invest in young technical theater artists and helping create opportunities that can shape the future of our industry.