Some Penn students with their eyes on careers in arts and entertainment may look to alumni like Elizabeth Banks, C’96, John Legend, C’99, HON’14, and Vanessa Bayer, C’04, as inspirations.
Getting Their Start in the Arts
Backed by philanthropy, the Penn Live Arts Career Development Initiative helps students pursue careers in the arts & entertainment industry
Published: May 26, 2023
Others may follow paths more akin to prominent producers like Dick Wolf, C’69, Marc Platt, C’79, and Wendy Finerman, W’82, or countless other non-performing Penn alumni in the creative industries. The Penn Live Arts Career Development Initiative was established with all of these students in mind.
Thanks to philanthropic support—including seed funding from Penn Live Arts Board member, Stephanie Kramer, PAR’16, PAR’19, and her husband Ron Kramer, W’80, PAR’16, PAR’19—students like Devi Bass, C’23, are able to follow their dreams behind the scenes.
“I’ve been doing theater since third grade, and in high school, I realized that my passion fell more with stage managing and behind the scenes technical work,” says Devi. “At Penn, a whole other world opened for me.”
While paths to corporate careers are often more apparent, the routes to careers in the arts and entertainment industries can be less obvious. “I work with a lot of Penn students majoring in arts-related fields who have many questions about how to get started,” says Leah Falk, Director of Education and Engagement at Penn Live Arts (PLA). “Pursuing these careers often takes some extra professional steps that aren’t as prescribed as the paths many of their peers take.”
Knowing that someone was willing to back this makes me feel like I’m supported, that someone else believes that this path is worth pursuing. It’s a wonderful investment in students like me.”Devi Bass, C’23
The Career Development Initiative is one step in PLA’s goal to establish a career support program, which aims to offer a wide range of funded internships—both performing and nonperforming—to Penn students pursuing careers in arts, culture, and entertainment. The vision is to build the program out into apprenticeships that would span the academic year and, eventually, fellowships for year-long placements post-graduation.
Students who have secured an internship can apply for awards of up to $5,000 to help cover living and travel expenses. Devi used her grant to travel to New York City for her internship at Tiwary Entertainment Group, founded by Vivek Tiwary, C’96, W’96, a member of Penn Live Arts’ Director’s Council. “Alumni mentorship is a key part of what we’re trying to build, in addition to attracting a robust stock of employers to offer internships,” says Falk. “We have a large network of alumni in the industry, and we’ve been glad to see a lot of willingness to mentor students and provide internships that are learning opportunities.”
Importantly, Devi’s experience gave the insight she needed to define her path. “I was fortunate to have the chance to compare working in commercial theater versus a nonprofit,” says Devi, who took a second internship with Fringe Arts in Philadelphia and now will be their grant and front of house manager. “I didn’t have to devote myself to one opportunity.”
“Many internships in arts and entertainment can be unpaid, which poses difficulties for some students interested in these fields,” says Falk. “One of the goals of this initiative is to reduce the barriers to opportunities to develop new skills, build relationships, and get exposure to the different types of careers that are out there.”
Penn Live Arts Board members Jason Pantzer, C’93, PAR’25, PAR’26, and Lincoln Singleton, C’93, advocated for their class to adopt an Endowed Arts & Entertainment Summer Scholarship as a part of their 30th Reunion Gift. The Class of 1993 A&E Summer Scholarship will support funding awards for summer internships this year, and in perpetuity—ensuring support for Penn students exploring careers in arts and entertainment for generations to come.
I was deeply involved in the performing arts as a student. Penn Players, Penn Singers, Glee Club, The Inspiration… there is such a rich, expansive, and collaborative performing arts community at Penn. We wanted to celebrate that, and support students taking the next steps along that path—both during and beyond their time on campus.”Lincoln Singleton, C’93, Penn Live Arts Board member
For Devi, one of the best feelings in receiving a PLA Career Development Grant was the validation that her career path was a sound choice. “When I came to Penn, I thought theater was a hobby and wouldn’t be a job. My internships helped me see not only a career path, but also how the arts intersect with academics and community,” she says. “Knowing that someone was willing to back this makes me feel like I’m supported, that someone else believes that this path is worth pursuing. It’s a wonderful investment in students like me.”
