Performing isn’t the only thing you can do with a Theater degree - many alum have found themselves in successful administrative careers after graduating from the Theater department! We wanted to highlight a handful of alum who have taken the skills they learned at Temple Theaters and have taken them to new heights in artistic institutions across the country.
Maggie Brennan – BA in Theater, Concentration in Acting and a Minor in Music (‘22)
Current Position: Communications Manager at Art Reach
How did you get from Temple to your current position?
I started working in communications for a Temple Theaters contract! I spent 3 years helping out with social media for Temple Theaters, and social media became a big part of my work as a Peer Advisor at the CPCA Advising Office. In my last semester at Temple, I interned in communications at Art-Reach. A regular position became available the summer after my internship ended, and I’ve been there since!
Advice to Current Temple Students?
Try everything in undergrad! I picked up skills in sound design, graphic design, and a whole lot of other behind-the-table experiences because I said “sure, why not” to things I’d never done before.
Dana Liu – BA in Theater, Concentration in Acting (‘20)
Current Position: Social Media and Creative Manager at Table 7 Strategy
How did you get from Temple to your current position?
I spent my first year out of college working overnights in the deli at Wawa. After a year of being a literal night owl and applying to many different jobs, I became the marketing assistant at Philadelphia Theatre Company. My work study experience as a marketing assistant for Temple Theaters helped me a lot with breaking into the theatre admin world. After some time, I was looking for a new job with more flexibility and re-connected with my first boss from PTC. She had started her own marketing agency and was looking for a social media and graphic design assistant. Ever since, I've been at Table 7 Strategy creating and designing social media plans and giving graphic design consultation for Off-Broadway, regional theatres, and other types of live entertainment.
How did your time at Temple prepare you for what you are currently doing?:
At the time I didn't know it, but my work study built a great foundation for my career. Temple really pushed me to explore different avenues of theatre and having that experience has made me overall a better artist.
August Hakvaag – BA in Theater, Concentration in Acting, Minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (‘19)
Current Position: Audience Engagement Coordinator at Temple University
How did you get from Temple to your current position?
I worked as a director, stage manager, and house manager fairly often for Sidestage, which helped me meet a lot of people while expanding my skillset. During that time I worked with fellow Owl Peter Loikits, and five years later he brought me onboard the Fever Productions team as a production assistant and shift lead for Fever Up Productions, where I worked in ticketing, audience engagement, and live event management. As the world opened back up from the pandemic, I co-produced three productions with Aporia Artists Collective, which was a bootcamp in marketing and producing. When this position opened up at Temple, I knew it was a great opportunity to take things I had experience with to a department I already knew the ins and outs of!
How did your time at Temple prepare you for what you're doing currently?
At Temple Theaters you're taught how to problem solve, troubleshoot, and how to think laterally to make whatever you're working on the best version of itself it can be. The network of alum is also nothing to sneeze at - it seems every theater I work at, either as an independent artist or as part of Temple Theater's staff, has an Owl to connect to! It feels like this community, from the faculty while you're a student to the alum after graduation, are always nearby and ready to listen and support you as you make the art only you can.
Peter Loikits – BA in Theater, Concentration in Directing (‘17)
Current Position: Producer for Fever Productions
How did you get from Temple to your current position?
After Temple, I freelanced as a Production Manager, Director, and Tech Crew member. Shortly after I became a Production Coordinator with a touring ballet company and went on to produce Ballet Galas at Lincoln Center in NYC and started my own small theater company in Philly. After the pandemic I pivoted from stage work and started taking jobs in theme parks and immersive entertainment. Now I work as a Producer for Fever working on immersive attractions such as "Stranger Things: The Experience", "Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration", "Titanic: The Exhibition," "Dopamine Land", and several other immersive attractions in the US and Canada region.
How did your time at Temple prepare you for what you're doing currently?
Temple's Directing concentration provided me with the opportunities to put up full length shows with its student run Side Stage organization. Developing our own budgets, resources, and student talent was a great testing ground for the real world of entertainment. I also had amazing mentors who took me seriously and helped me jumpstart my career with amazing opportunities (Jill Harrison). And teachers who helped me discover who I was as a person and artist, always helping me find my voice and impact (Nancy Boykin, Cheryl Williams, David Ingram, Michael Friel). Directing Mentors who scrutinized my work and challenged me to be more thoughtful and precise (Lee Richardson, Amina Robinson, Dr. Nigh, Ed Sobel). Also life long friends and peers who I still work with today. When looking back at my days at Temple, it was very clear that if you showed drive and passion the whole administration would rally around you to give you the resources you needed to succeed. All the resources I needed were there if I wanted it. Temple gave me the opportunities to be a self starter in a safe environment.
Hannah Postlewait – BA in Theater, Concentration in Acting (‘19)
Current Position: General Management Assistant at The Theater Center NYC
How did your time at Temple prepare you for your current job?
The thing I love about Temple is how entrepreneurial the BA program is. In college I tried to do everything: I was in Mainstage and Sidestage productions, I directed shows, stage managed for operas, took playwriting classes; everything I could think of. Being someone who can wear lots of hats is integral to who I am as an artist and that's what's helped me the most at this stage of my career.
What advice do you have for current students?
There's a million and one ways to be a theatre artist and there IS a place for you somewhere in the industry. As much as college is a time to try new things and see what you like, so are your post-grad years! Want to do a show? Put it up yourself! Find early artist development programs! Explore the world of admin! Some of the most successful people you know are just multi-hyphenates that keep reinventing themselves.
Emma Balk – BS in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Minor in Theater ('22)
How did you get from Temple to your current position?
I worked in the Temple Theaters Box Office since freshman year of 2018 and became House Manager my sophomore year until the end of 2021. Starting in 2022, I fulfilled a full-time internship at a boutique talent management company, Liberman and Zerman Management. After graduation, I worked front of house at the Delacorte Theater of the Public Theater for the summer of 2022. I then began working for Stephanie Klapper Casting that fall and have been here ever since!
How did your time at Temple prepare you for what you're doing currently?
If not for all of the play discussion and analysis classes I would not be nearly as equipped for my work in casting. As House Manager I was able to work on my leadership skills and creative problem solving skills. I also gained so much respect for my peers with different skill sets from project to project.
Emily Wilson - BA in Theater Studies, Minor in History ('18)
Current Position: Patron Services Manager at the Lantern Theater Company
How did you get from Temple to your current position?
After graduation, not knowing what exactly I wanted to do, I was hired as an apprentice at the Lantern for their 2018/19 season. During my apprenticeship I learned Box Office, development, and other admin skills and was asked to join the staff at the end of my apprenticeship.
How did your time at Temple prepare you for what you're doing currently?
I learned to say yes and to try new things because you never know where you will end up. I thought I wanted to work in production at Temple but took a chance on an apprenticeship that made me work all over the theater and found there were other things I enjoyed more.