PAC hosts discussion on careers

Approximately 25 students in the Penn performing arts community received a sneak preview of the rest of their lives on Sunday. The day-long Career Symposium for the Performing Arts allowed students to hear about the experiences and careers of 13 Penn alumni who are currently working in a variety of performing arts fields. College sophomore Leah Rosenkrantz said the panel members presented a realistic glimpse into the graduates' careers. "I wasn't surprised that it was difficult and it's somewhat discouraging to hear," she said. "But to know that there are people from Penn out there who made it does give me hope." Student Performing Arts Coordinator Carolyn Noone emphasized that the symposium, which took place in the Annenberg Center's Studio Theatre, had benefits for both Penn students and alumni. "For the students, it's important to provide an opportunity to get some insight into the various career paths, and have questions answered by people who have been there," she said. "It also gives our alumni an opportunity to meet with the students and share their expertise and knowledge," Noone added. The performing arts community held a similar symposium in the fall of 1994. And Noone said she hopes the symposium will become an annual event. The program emphasized one–on–one interaction between the students and alumni, who mingled informally while snacking on refreshments during a break midway through the day. A catered dinner in the Annenberg Center lobby following the symposium provided opportunity for more discussion. College sophomore Christa Avampato noted that she is interested in the advertising and marketing aspects of the film industry. She spoke with Penn graduate Nancy Levy-Novack, a film editor in New York. Levy-Novack and Avampato discussed women's roles in the industry. "It seems like women will have a harder time in the industry than men will," Avampato said. "But it doesn't make my decision to enter the field any harder -- it seems like there's always that conflict in a lot of industries." College senior Julie Liebenberg, a Theater Arts major, hopes to work as an actor in either New York or Los Angeles after graduation. She said seeing successful Penn alumni showed that "it can be done." David Novack, Levy-Novack's husband, graduated from the University in 1987 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and was heavily involved with performing arts activities on campus. He now works as a recording and mixing engineer in New York. "There are roles in the industry for people who have that duality of interests," he said. Many of the panel members stressed the importance of securing internships and making contacts. Sarah Jablon, a 1994 University graduate, is a costume designer in New York. She emphasized follow-up calls, updating portfolios and making "blind" calls. "Everything will fall into place if you keep working at it,"Jablon explained. Penn alumnus Dan Fields is a freelance theatre director in New York. He said that he still remembers knowledge he gained from his courses at the University, particularly those taught by English Professor and Theater Arts Chairperson Cary Mazer. College senior Todd Shotz, a Theater Arts major and president of Glee Club, hopes to enter into the field of theater administration or production. "There's a lot of sacrifice," he said. "But I don't care. It's what I want to do and it's what will make me happy." The Office of Student Performing Arts and the Theatre Arts program co-sponsored Sunday's symposium.