Student Blog: Working at the La Jolla Playhouse and The Garden

This past September, I got a new job working in the front of the house at The La Jolla Playhouse. My job title, Audience Concierge, includes many patron services responsibilities including checking vaccine cards/ID upon entering the theatre, ticket scanning, helping ushers, being available in the lobby during the show, and locking up. Many of the Audience Concierges are/were students at UC San Diego and no doubt it has been a great networking opportunity with professional theatremakers, but it has also been a great way for me to meet other theatre students that I have not yet gotten the chance to work with. Working in the front of the house has given me lots of insight into what working in a professional environment is like while also teaching me about another aspect of theatre that I did not know much about coming into the job.

As an Audience Concierge, we are given the chance to see the final dress rehearsal of every show. This is purely a time for us to see it as an audience member and then we work for all the previews and actual shows. From this job, not only was I able to see the show before performances started, but I can observe how regional theatres function.

My job is seasonal and we are currently prepping for the premiere of To the Yellow House - a Vincent van Gogh-inspired work by Kimber Lee and directed by Neel Keller. This play explores the many outlets of creative expression and the power of art. Being at UCSD, many faculty and MFA students are often involved in works at the La Jolla Playhouse. For example, my stage management professor, Laura Powell is the Production Stage Manager for the piece in addition to some of the MFA Stage Management students are Production Assistants on the project. Through my stage management class, I'm able to watch the tech rehearsal of the show. So, for To the Yellow House, I will be able to see the tech rehearsal, dress rehearsal, and work the previews and performances which will allow me to see an even more comprehensive trajectory of a professional show.

We just wrapped up The Garden which is a two-actor play about a mother/daughter relationship navigating the concepts of racism, familial tension, and sexuality. The playwright, Charlayne Woodard, actually starred in the show and it was so insightful to see the character come to life through the playwright. This was the first main show that premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse since the beginning of the pandemic and being a part of the return of theatre was an extremely exciting and positive experience. I'm very excited to continue working on La Jolla Playhouse's 2021-2022 season which includes The Garden, To the Yellow House, and Bhangin' It. Performances for To the Yellow House begin November 16 and go until December 12 so be sure to check it out!

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