Elinor Jones ’21 – Minnesota Fringe Festival
What are you doing in the performing arts outside Macalester?
During summer 2019, I was the Arts and Technology Intern with the Minnesota Fringe Festival. They put on a two-week performing arts festival in Minneapolis each August which features around 50 productions. I worked mainly with front-of-house technology such as tablets, the POS system Square, and communications technology. I also created modules for and helped train volunteers to properly utilize the technology. I plan to return for the 2020 festival because my experience was so fun. I will be serving as a house manager at one of the venues. I also work as a box office representative and house manager at Mixed Blood Theater.
How did you come across Minnesota Fringe?
I found Minnesota Fringe because one of my future bosses was at the Macalester Job and Internship fair in Fall 2018. We spoke a bit about Fringe and our shared belief in the importance of strong, dedicated arts management/front-of-house work. I emailed her to keep me in the loop about work opportunities and ended up applying for the job a few months later. I was able to do the internship with the help of the Macalester Summer Internship Grant. I began working at Mixed Blood shortly before Macalester’s collaboration with Jack Reuler, the play Distracted, that we got to perform at Mixed Blood.
What do you love about working with Minnesota Fringe?
While I love performing, I have found a similar passion for the management side of the performing arts. I love to be organized and get projects done, and that process looks way different behind a desk than it does within a show’s company. I also think that if we are going to create work, we need to focus on why we are doing it, who it is for, and how we will present it to the community to enact positive social change. Without intentional management, that process falls to the wayside and work is created selfishly.
Is there a particular person you have met while working with Minnesota Fringe that inspires you the most?
The management team at the Fringe summer 2019 was majority female. It was inspiring, comforting, and productive to work with a group of women. Kaitlen, my direct boss was extremely kind, patient, and helpful as a learned more about front-of-house technology. Dawn Bentley, the Executive Director of the festival, and I connected meaningfully, and I consider her one of my strongest professional connections I have made in college. My co-intern, a fellow rising senior who goes to the U, is another huge inspiration of mine, who I never would have met if I hadn’t left the Mac Bubble and tried something new.
Have you come closer to realizing your dream job by working with Minnesota Fringe?
Yes, absolutely. Like I said, these jobs have solidified my interest in arts management. My goal at this point is to continue working jobs like this in the Cities and work my way up within one or more companies. Eventually, I would like to run my own theater company.
Do you have any advice for other students looking to branch out into the performing arts scene outside of Janet Wallace?
Go to the Job and Internship fairs, go to shows in the Twin Cities when you can, and ask your professors about their professional experience.
Return to the Internships and Professional Development page to read other student profiles.