Roundabout provides hands-on learning opportunities for students and aspiring arts professionals interested in theatre administration careers through full-time summer internships and seasonal apprenticeships.

As our 2021-2022 Season Apprentices get settled into their positions, we asked them to introduce themselves and reflect on their time here at Roundabout. Check out the interviews below and get to know our incredible apprentices a bit better.

Elizabeth Durham (she/her), General Management Apprentice

What is your first theatre memory?
My mom took me to see Mamma Mia when I was five- I don't remember much, but after seeing it I was pretty much hooked!

What is your favorite thing about working at Roundabout?
The spectacle of the shows mixed with the personable, down-to-earth office environment. Best of both worlds!

What is your favorite show?
The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe for its spot-on portrayal of what it means to grow up, joke with friends, and experience the unimaginable. It makes me feel the full spectrum of emotion every time I see it and the realism of the dialogue is unmatched!

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I own 8 pairs of cowboy boots. 

Would you rather fight one dragon sized duck or 100 duck sized dragons? Why?
One dragon sized duck. At first I was like, "I could punt all of the duck-sized dragons", but then I realized that 100 little blowtorches attacking me with fire would not end well. So, a dragon sized duck is my answer. I would tie its huge webbed feet together with rope like they do in the big monster movies and make my move when it's off balance. Bam. 

Grace Murray (she/her), Finance Apprentice

What is your first theatre memory?
My first theater memory was seeing The Lion King when I was around 5 years old. I remember being amazed by the actors coming down the aisle and I loved seeing their costumes up close.

What is your favorite thing about working at Roundabout?
My favorite thing about working at Roundabout is getting hands on experience in the Finance office, and getting to learn from an incredible group of knowledgeable people. Our apprentice seminars and guest speakers have also given me an inside look into the other departments at Roundabout, which has been a great learning opportunity.

What is your favorite show?
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder! It's a hilarious musical and each twist is more absurd than the last.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I stood for 46 hours straight in Penn State's no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon!

Would you rather fight one dragon sized duck or 100 duck sized dragons? Why?
I would have to say the dragon sized duck solely because there would be no fire involved.

Kalina Ko (she/her), Artistic Apprentice

What is your first theatre memory?
My first theatre memory was I think the mandatory school play I participated in as a first grader. It was based on a children's book about three baby birds trying to find their mom (not "Are You My Mother?"). I was part of an animal chorus - I think I was an owl. 

What is your favorite thing about working at Roundabout?
The apprentice cohort OF COURSE! When else would I get the chance to meet these lovely folks and learn about what their different departments are doing?  The artistic department folks are also so incredible and inspiring so all in all - the people.

What is your favorite show?
My favorite play is probably Untitled F*ck M*ss S**gon Play by Kimber Lee - it's funny, it's satirical, it's what I wrote my thesis on. I don't know if I have a favorite musical but right now I'm listening to a lot of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
Over the pandemic, I bought six backyard chickens. They are currently living their happy (hopefully) lives in my parents' backyard in Massachusetts! And yes, we do eat their eggs.

Would you rather fight one dragon sized duck or 100 duck sized dragons? Why?
I would definitely rather fight one dragon sized duck because dragons can breathe fire. And even if the dragons are small and duck sized they can still cause a fire and then you've got a big problem Like even if you fight off 50 of those dragons, even if you fight of 90 of those dragons, all it takes is one duck sized dragon to set your whole building on fire so I think a dragon sized duck is the safer bet. That being said - ducks are scary.

Michelle Dastur (she/her), Marketing Apprentice

What is your first theatre memory?
When I was in 5th grade, my dad got a CD that was titled something like "Broadway's greatest hits" and had songs from old and new shows. At that point, Wicked was still considered a new show, and I remember every morning on the way to school I would ask my dad to play "Defying Gravity". I can still remember that it was track 21. They surprised me with tickets to the tour in Boston later that year, and I was hooked on theatre.  

What is your favorite thing about working at Roundabout?
My favorite thing about Roundabout is the people and the commitment to the work. Everyone gives 100% to make these shows happen, and really cares about the work they are doing. 

What is your favorite show?
My favorite show is Into the Woods. I love the dramatic shift from Act 1 to Act 2, and that it doesn't have a happy ending but ends on a hopeful note. Also the line "I know what my decision is, which is not to decide" is iconic.  

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I'm double jointed in my left thumb and right shoulder. 

Would you rather fight one dragon sized duck or 100 duck sized dragons? Why?
100 duck sized dragons. I think that is a fight I may actually be able to win. There would be a lot of them, but they're small, and would be easy to maneuver around or run away from. One dragon sized duck is just too large. It might be easier to fight since it wouldn't do much, but I think it could accidentally squish me, and I am a very small person. Also I would want to befriend one of the small dragons. That would make such a cool pet.

Tré Dukes (he/him), HR Apprentice

What is your first theatre memory?
My first theatre memory took place when I was High-School at Penn-Griffin School for the Arts. My Drama teacher, Veronica Peagler took us to see PlayMakers Repertory Company’s, A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. This was the very first time I’d seen a professional theatre production. The story, the actors, everything about that production transformed my understanding of what a career in the arts could be. And more importantly what kind of impact it could have. That impact is the power of theatre to use intentional storytelling to deepen our understanding of the world around us and ultimately cultivate more opportunities for connection and belonging. Seeing that show played a critical role in reaffirming my passion for theatre and igniting a fire towards building a career as a theatre professional.

What is your favorite thing about working at Roundabout?
I will be joining Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, and I am extremely grateful to be a part of such a welcoming and dedicated team committed to celebrating theatre and its power to reflect and impact the world. I am looking forward to joining an extraordinary theatre company committed to building an American theatre that strives on diversity, by actively addressing injustices within the industry and prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism practices.

What is your favorite show?
I have a lot of favorite theatre shows that played a crucial role in my growth and development along my theatre journey. However, my favorite theatre show that as it happens was also one of my first Queer theatre shows would be Bent by Martin Sherman.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I am a fur-parent to a beautiful one-year and six-month-old gray/white Siberian Husky who was born May 4, 2020, which just so happens to be the day and month I was born.

Would you rather fight one dragon sized duck or 100 duck sized dragons? Why?
I recently rewatched Dreamworks, "How to Train Your Dragon" based on the children’s book series by Cressida Cowell, and I strongly resonate with the main character in the story, Hiccup Haddock, who befriends the dragon Toothless in the film. I'd like to think of myself as similar to Hiccup and try my hand at 100 duck-sized dragons, and rather than fight them I would try to understand them and create a home that would be safe for them to roam about.

 Yoomi Kim (she/her), Development and Special Events Apprentice

What is your first theatre memory?
When I first moved to the US from Korea, I was enrolled in an after-school music and dance class at my elementary school. We learned and performed a Rodgers and Hammerstein medley, and I fell in love with performing! I haven't strayed away from the theatre world ever since!

What is your favorite thing about working at Roundabout?
I will be joining Roundabout next week! I went to a performing arts high school and got my undergraduate degree in musical theatre. I decided to pivot during my last year of undergrad and study event management in grad school, wanting to work on on special events in the entertainment and theatre world. I love that Roundabout allows me to combine my two passions and further help me reach my career goals! 

What is your favorite show?
This question is always so hard to answer! Here are some of my favorites: The Color Purple, A Chorus Line, Miss Saigon, Parade, Legally Blonde. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I'm a second degree black belt in Taekwondo and fluent in Korean!

Would you rather fight one dragon sized duck or 100 duck sized dragons? Why?
I would fight one dragon sized duck. Yes, the duck would be huge, but fighting one would be way better than trying to fight 100 dangerous dragons with sharp teeth and poisonous venom. By focusing on one opponent, I could focus all my energy, attention, and strength in outsmarting it.

Alix Curnow (They/Them), Education Apprentice

What is your first theatre memory?
My earliest recollection of a theatrical performance is actually watching a drag show! Growing up with lesbian parents, some of my earliest memories were made at pride festivals. I remember at one particular pride event, there was a drag queen performing a routine based off of Madonna. I was sitting with my Moms in the front row and she pulled me onto the stage with her! I must have been six or seven at the time... it was awesome.

What is your favorite thing about working at Roundabout?
I begin my work at Roundabout on January 24th, so I have yet to experience being a part of the Roundabout team! However, one of the main reasons that I applied for the apprenticeship was because of Roundabout's dedication to removing physical, cultural and financial barriers to arts education. I believe that access to creative and artistic expression is a human right, and I cannot wait to learn more about accessible theatre education with Roundabout.

What is your favorite show?
Angels in America by Tony Kushner. "The world only spins forward."

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I went to clown school and I know how to juggle! Although... I didn't learn how to juggle in clown school.

Would you rather fight one dragon sized duck or 100 duck sized dragons? Why?
I think I would rather fight one dragon sized duck. I'd find the 100 duck sized dragons to be too cute to fight!

Natalie Kane (She/Her), Artistic Apprentice

What is your first theatre memory?
My first New York theatre memory is of seeing the revival-before-last of Kiss Me, Kate with my family when I was about four years old. Sadly I don't remember much about the production, but I do have a very clear recollection of one set!

What is your favorite thing about working at Roundabout?
I love the juxtaposition within Roundabout's seasons of reviving and reexamining classic plays and musicals, as well as developing new works.

What is your favorite show?
A nearly impossible question! My favorite classic play is Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, and a few contemporary pieces I'd love to work on include Athena by Gracie Gardner and The Last Wife by Kate Hennig.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
In college I was a competitive ballroom dancer, and I have since choreographed ballroom or period dances for several productions I've worked on.

Would you rather fight one dragon sized duck or 100 duck sized dragons? Why?
100 duck-sized dragons - but I'd rather befriend them, they sound adorable!