For West Virginia students exploring a future in theater, the Contemporary American Theater Festival is an important stop for advanced training and professional experience. The CATF intern and apprentice programs attract students from across the country, but for West Virginia residents, CATF provides a rare opportunity for high-caliber professional training without leaving the state.
The range of theater skills open to interns covers the entire gamut of work onstage, backstage, and front-of house-from costumes to properties, from box office management to company management. “CATF couldn’t go on without them,” said CATF business manager Lissa Cobetto. “They are involved in every aspect of CATF.”
The 2007 CATF interns and apprentices, pictured here: Maggie Kettering, Virginia, acting; Ben Guralnik, Washington, D.C., box office; Paul Wissman, Maryland, stage management; Kristin Johanson, Delaware, properties; Adam Taylor, West Virginia, company management; Gisela Chípe, Kentucky, acting; Kat Charonko, West Virginia, administration; Lisa Diker, Connecticut, paints; Chris Kaiser, West Virginia, publicity; Beth Triffon, Ohio, acting; Laura M. Wilson, West Virginia, costumes.
Not pictured are Kevin Rudisill, West Virginia, photography; Jaime Hodge, West Virginia, acting and wardrobe; April Smet, Wisconsin, lighting; and Katie Tyson, Michigan, company management.