An internship with University of Florida Performing Arts is a wonderful opportunity to learn, network and gain real-life work experience. Each semester, interns have the opportunity to work in the various departments of UFPA, from administration to development, marketing to operations. The dynamic and team-oriented nature of UFPA allows interns to work in a variety of different areas, providing a broad and valuable experience.
UFPA internships are semester or year-long commitments. You will be expected to commit 10-15 hours per week. Work hours are flexible and agreed upon with your supervisor at the start of your internship. If you are interested in having your internship count for class credit, please check with your college for more information. Previous UFPA interns have received credit from the Colleges of Journalism and Communications, Health and Human Performance and Liberal Arts and Sciences.
In addition to specific tasks assigned by your supervisor, all interns will assist in the planning, promotion, and execution of student events through Encore. For this reason, all interns are required to attend bi-weekly meetings, held on Wednesdays from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at the Phillips Center. These meetings are also important networking opportunities that will allow you to interact with other UFPA interns on a regular basis.
Please contact Derek Wohlust with any questions about UFPA internships.
Meet the UFPA Interns
Stephanie Bonfonte
Stephanie Bonfonte is now a senior Psychology Major at the University of Florida and is the Development Intern here at UFPA. Starting a relationship with the performing arts at such a young age, legend has it that there were tap shoes on her ultra sound. Although she started off dancing, Stephanie has since added to her repertoire, as she is now President of UF’s only all-female, not to mention UF’s sassiest, a cappella group, The Sedoctaves. She hopes to stay involved in the performing arts, however her career goals include receiving a Master’s Degree in the field of Behavioral Psychology, with eventual plans to explore legal advocacy for Disability Affairs Programs. She feels that her time and personal advancement while at UF is not only strengthened by the arts, but is kept afloat due to their influence. For her, they provide a great, and frequently needed, break from a number of responsibilities. The UFPA internship has been an incredible opportunity thus far; helping her master useful work skills, and more importantly, reigniting her love for life on-stage. Quoting Laurence Welk, “If I live to be 90, and I’m planning to, I’ll always love performing for a live audience.”
Victoria Delgado
Victoria Delgado is a senior Family, Youth and Community Sciences major at the University of Florida with a minor in Zoology. She is currently working as an administrative intern at the Phillips Center; her focus being on outreach and education. When she is not exploring the terrain, she can be found at the theater. As a child, she was involved with the drama club. Theater has always been one of her passions, so she is excited to have the opportunity to use her internship to show others the wonders of the arts.
Erin Donahue
Erin Donahue is a junior public relations major with an outside concentration in business administration at the University of Florida. Erin’s love for the arts began in middle school when she joined her school’s chorus. Her love for music and singing continued through high school where she participated in choir, women’s ensemble and was the youngest cast member of Broadway Showstoppers 3, a musical review put on by the Vero Beach Theatre Guild. Erin is currently vice president of the all-female a cappella group at UF, The Sedoctaves. Her career goals are to eventually live in New York City working as a talent agent.
Danielle Logan
Danielle Logan is a senior public relations student at the University of Florida and is the Marketing and Communications Intern at UFPA. Since the age of 5, Danielle has taken the stage as a musical, ensemble and soloist performer. Now, Danielle exercises her artistic talent as a soprano in No Southern Accent, UF’s competitive co-ed a cappella group, in addition to being the President of the group for the 2011-12 calendar year. Her career goals are to obtain an administrative position in the performing arts/entertainment industry, and attend graduate school for a Master’s degree in arts administration. The past five years of internship experience in the performing arts have substantially impacted her growth as a performer, student, intern and employee. She believes the performing arts are essential in every community and strives to make sure that live performances are accessible wherever she lives, whether she’s performing on stage, working behind the scenes as part of the venue staff or enjoying the event as a member of the audience. Previous internships include a PR/Marketing internship at Orlando Repertory Theatre and as an Executive Intern at the Osceola Center for the Arts in Kissimmee, Florida.
Alexandra Richter
Alexandra Richter is a senior public relations major at the University of Florida and is the development intern at the Phillips Center. Alexandra’s love for the arts began when she was five at her first piano lesson. As a part time job, she teaches others how to play the piano. She loves to attend ballet performances and recently saw the Bolshoi ballerina Natalia Osipova guest star in ABT’s Don Quixote. Her goal is to continue enriching the community by bringing the arts to people’s lives.
Gerri Sterne
Gerri Sterne is a senior graphic design major at the University of Florida and is the graphic design intern at UFPA. Her passion for performing arts began with her first show, Grease, at musical theatre summer camp. Currently, Gerri performs in shows at Gainesville Community Playhouse whenever she has free time. She is also the Treasurer of the student-run graphic design club on campus, called Vox Graphis. She plans to pursue a career in graphic design, but hopes to do so with a concentration in the performing arts. Her previous experience includes interning at The Advertising Department – a boutique advertising firm in Fort Lauderdale – and acting as the Publicity Director for IRHA’s Writing on the Wall Project.
