RELEASED: August 21, 2008

DANVILLE, KY—As drama major Krit Robinson '09 will attest, there are very few theatres with listings for scenic design internships. With so few options available, Robinson decided to forgo the formal application process and write letters to set designers whose work she admired. Among her recipients was Neil Patel, celebrated New York scenic designer. Patel promptly replied and offered her an internship.

"It was strangely easy. I think it goes to show it's always worth taking a chance," Robinson says. What wouldn't be easy was affording life in the Big Apple. Luckily Internship Plus came through with some much needed assistance, but more on that later.

Robinson soon left for Manhattan where she began working at the Neil Patel Design Studio. She contributed to research, drafts and models of set designs for shows such as Henry V, co-produced by The Acting Company and The Guthrie Theatre; Donezetti's Tudor Queens at the Minnesota Opera, and Peter Pan and the Star Catchers produced by Disney. In addition, Robinson was given the rare opportunity to sit in on the tech rehearsals for Broadway's new critically acclaimed musical [title of show].

"A lot of the drafting I did was for my own education," Robinson says. "I worked on a complete set of plates [original illustrations] concurrently with another assistant. It was a fantastic way to improve my drafting because it allowed me to work directly with the designer as well as a have another knowledgeable set of eyes critique my work."

Robinson's experience should contribute greatly to DramaCentre's upcoming production of The Importance of Being Earnest, for which she'll assume the role of lead set designer. While in New York, she made use of the New York Public Library, pulling images and other resources to enrich her design.

While Robinson is writing her own success story, she credits the College and the drama program for their crucial contribution.

"The theatre program at Centre gave me a complete education, not just in design but in all areas of theatre from acting to literature," she says "It's also provided opportunities to work the national road shows that come to the Norton Center for the Arts and has always been a continual support of my independent nature by offering me design opportunities."

To better afford her internship, Robinson received a grant through Internship Plus. The College-sponsored program supplies extra financial support to students who participate in high-quality experiential learning during the summer or CentreTerm with awards up to $750 toward a CentreTerm internship and $1,500 toward a summer internship.

She says, "With the cost of living so high in New York, I really would've had a hard time swinging it without the extra aid."

To see more work by Kristen Robinson, visit her website at www.kristenrobinson.com.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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