Roundabout provides opportunities for aspiring arts professionals interested in theatre administration careers.

Before our 2018-2019 Season Apprentices move on to exciting new positions, we asked them to introduce themselves and reflect on their time here at Roundabout.

Tariq Beckford, IT Apprentice


Hometown: Bronx, New York
College: Fisher College

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
The thing that has surprised me the most at Roundabout was experiencing summer Fridays. Being able to get off early on Fridays was a wonderful feeling that I never had experienced at a job before.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
The best piece of advice was for me to continue manifesting my goals. Some days will be better than others but no matter what just keep striving for greatness.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become” —The Lion King

Sophia Brichta, Audience Services Apprentice


Hometown: Evanston, Illinois
College: University of Michigan

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
We are relied on very heavily for a lot of important things. We have a tangible impact on the company, which is cool.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
To use our resources. Everyone here wants us to succeed, and we should take advantage of that.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
"People are like planets, you need a thick skin" —Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches

Mackenzie Cole, Steinberg Center and American Airlines Theatre Apprentice


Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
College: Vassar College

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
I was surprised to learn how many different companies collaborate with Roundabout to make our productions happen, from marketing agencies, to production management, and more. Working here means getting to work with the extended Roundabout network in addition to our own internal team.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
If you want to learn more about what someone does day-to-day in their job position, ask them! People are almost always willing to carve out time to discuss their career trajectory and their job responsibilities if you show that you are curious.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“The slotted spoon CAN catch the potato!” —Into the Woods

Ryan Dickson, Marketing Apprentice


Hometown: Schenectady, NY
College: Ithaca College

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
Everyone at Roundabout is your advocate, and they all want you to succeed. Your mentors here will push you because they believe in you and know you can do the work.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
Be your own self advocate.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“Today is going to be a great day and here’s why: because today at least you’re you and, well, that’s enough” —Dear Evan Hansen

Mara Koss, Marketing Apprentice


Hometown: New City, New York
College: McGill University

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
The thing that has surprised me most is how interdisciplinary so much of the work here is. Projects require broad individual skill sets and cooperation between departments which is exciting because there is so much talent to work with and learn from.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
Ask to be included in meetings and projects and always keep your ears open while you’re working. There is so much to be learned by listening and asking questions about what’s going on.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“The hands on the clock turn but don’t sing a nocturne just yet” —A Little Night Music

Rachel Lipton, Facilities/House Management Apprentice


Hometown: Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
College: University of Pittsburgh

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
I was surprised by the size of the staff and how willing everyone is to help you learn. Also, I was surprised by how much we have access to as apprentices (in terms of information, resources, etc.).

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
Take advantage of the opportunities and resources you have while you’re here.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“If the end is right, it justifies the beans!” —Into the Woods

Esti Lodge, Development Apprentice


Hometown: Huntington, New York
College: SUNY Binghamton

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
How important my work is to the day-to-day operations of the Development office.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
Take advantage of being here and working at such a reputable theatre organization.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“Someone is on your side, no one is alone” —Into the Woods

Alia Mahaini, Management Apprentice


Hometown: Austin, Texas
College: University of Texas

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
I was surprised by how quickly I felt I was a part of the Roundabout team.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
“Everyone moves at a different pace. Don’t compare and despair.” —Nancy Mulliner, Manager of Facility Rentals and Office Operations

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries” —Spamalot

Clare McCormick, Artistic/Literary Apprentice


Hometown: Staten Island, New York
College: Hobart and William Smith College

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
The sheer abundance of abracadabra moments. From the miracle of safely carrying a full, sloshing prop fishbowl through Times Square, to a curtain sweeping open on Opening Night, I’ve continually felt a swooping joy and gratitude.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
Be a record-keeper! It’s important to preserve histories – institutionally and personally. Keep track of your accomplishments, what work you’ve done, what creative works you’ve loved; a record of yourself in this moment is a gift to the self in your future.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“Years from now, when you speak of this, and you will, be kind” —Tea and Sympathy

Abaigeal O’Donnell, Education Apprentice for School Programs


Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
College: DePaul University

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
What has surprised me about my experience at Roundabout is discovering the delightful nature of our Teaching Artists' lessons. They are consistently insightful and full of surprises.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
The best piece of advice that I’ve received while working at Roundabout is to own your accomplishments and never preface them with the word “just”.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“Even if you’re little you can do a lot, you mustn’t let a little thing like little stop you” —Matilda

Braulio Sepulveda, Human Resources Apprentice


Hometown: Los Angeles, California
College: University of California, Los Angeles

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
The thing that has surprised me the most is how invested everyone in the company is in making sure that this is both a professional and personal development experience for all apprentices. Every staff member is extremely enthusiastic about meeting with apprentices and talking about their work and giving career advice.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
There are too many, so here’s a list:

• “You have to be your own best advocate”
• “Always send a thank you note”
• “Find out what makes you happy and do that”


Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“You gotta think big to be big!” —Hairspray

Madison St. Amour, Finance Apprentice


Hometown: Marlborough, MA
College: Emerson College

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
I’ve been the most pleasantly surprised that apprentices are really relied upon as an active, integral member of each department. Many other places I’ve worked at or friends have worked at do not value their interns/apprentices as full members of the team the way Roundabout does.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
Take every opportunity you can to learn how things work and help others out.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“I hope you become addicted to sayin’ things and having them matter to someone” —Waitress

Leia Squillace, Community Partnerships Apprentice


Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
College: University of Michigan

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
All of the various programs occurring simultaneously! I’ve come to realize that there is so much else happening beyond what I was initially aware of, like our workforce and professional development programs, new works development programs, and an extensive list of audience engagement opportunities.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
I’ve been encouraged to reach out to people in other departments, as well as individuals who work in my department at other organizations for informational interviews.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“With all the love alive in me, I'll stand as tall as the tallest tree. I'm thankful for each day that I'm given, both the easy and the hard ones I'm livin'. But most of all I'm thankful for lovin' who I really am” —The Color Purple

Devyn Young, Special Events Apprentice


Hometown: Arlington, Virginia
College: University of Iowa

What has surprised you about your experience as an apprentice at Roundabout?
I don’t think this was necessarily surprising, but just how passionate people who work here are about theatre/the organization.

What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received while working at Roundabout?
Always carry a tax exempt form.

Favorite quote from a play or musical?
“Every right thing will find its right place” —Waitress