Summer Spotlight: Company Management at CATF with Carleigh Allen
Carleigh Allen (BFA ’23, Stage and Production Management) is spending the summer in Shepherdstown, West Virginia as the Company Management Intern at the Contemporary American Theatre Festival. On July 8, she’ll be taking over our Instagram Stories to give us an inside look at a day in her company management life!
Emerson Stage sat down with Carleigh to get to know a little bit more about who she is and what she’s working on this summer:
Carleigh, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a senior Stage & Production Management Major graduating in December! (ahhh) I am originally from Birmingham, Alabama. I am an avid reader and reality tv watcher. Currently, I am very excited for the newest season of Big Brother.
Tell us about what you’re working on this summer!
I am a Company Management Intern at the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) in beautiful Shepherdstown, West Virginia! CATF produces six new plays a year with a company of over 150 people. Super excited to show everyone the ins and outs of producing new works with so many people–including the opening night party!
What has been an unexpected challenge in this role and how have you learned from it?
Learning what company management means for different organizations. Company management is such a versatile department and can do many different things depending on size and structure of the organization. So, it’s been a bit of a learning curve taking what I’ve learned through Emerson and applying to what company management means for CATF. It’s been a challenge but one I’ve learned a ton from and will continue to learn from.
What has been the best part of this experience so far?
The people I’ve met here have been such a highlight of the summer! I have learned so much from everyone here and can’t wait to apply everything I’ve learned. Everyone has just been so lovely to work with.
What’s next for you? Where can we find you online to continue following your journey?
In the fall I will be the Production Supervisor on two shows with Emerson Stage —The Spitfire Grill (with Liv as the Stage Manager!) and our new Devised Piece! Then it’s off into the real world for me. (ahh, again)
