Behind the Scenes at Spartanburg Little Theatre
For USC Upstate senior Avery Beaton, finding time for work, classes and career experience all at once seemed out of reach. But thanks to a humanities internship, that balance has become possible.
Beaton, a communication – mass media major with a theater minor, is interning this semester as a stage manager at the Spartanburg Little Theatre. Beaton is grateful for the grant-funded internship, which has made it possible to gain real-world experience while continuing their studies.
“This grant is so incredibly helpful,” Beaton says. “I would never really be able to do an internship during the school semester and balance that with work, but the grant has really taken that weight off.”
Their responsibilities include coordinating with the cast, director, and designers, and taking detailed blocking notes during rehearsals. It’s a hands-on role that requires organization, leadership and lots of communication.
“The cast can come to me with complaints, and then I have to handle it in a professional way and communicate that to the director and the head of theater, production manager,” they explained.
The internship has helped Beaton gain valuable experience in leadership and professional communication, two skills essential to their interests in theater and journalism.
Outside of classes, Beaton also serves as an editor for USC Upstate’s student newspaper, where they have strengthened their writing and reporting abilities.
They plan to pursue a career in journalism while also staying involved in the performing arts as a stage manager. The semester at the theater has given them a deeper understanding of how collaboration and communication bring a production to life.