Interview With The Artist

Internships are a valuable way to learn if a future career in theatre are a good fit for you. If you enjoyed theater in high school or are simply interested in exploring working as a theater professional, Perseverance Theatre has opportunities for you. 

Every year, Perseverance Theatre invites early-career professionals to join us for a season-long apprenticeship. Located on Tlingit Aani in Juneau, AK, these apprentices get practical, on-the-job experience producing professional theatre on the Perseverance Mainstage. Apprentices will work with Artistic Director Leslie Ishii, Managing Director Frank Delaney, Associate Producer Joseph Biaginni, and Marketing and Engagement Director Rio Alberto to complete a variety of tasks based on the specific needs of our Mainstage productions. 

These apprenticeships are fast-paced, multi-disciplinary, cross-departmental, and grounded in community offerings. Perseverance Theatre is guided by the values of Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access (JEDIA). This apprenticeship is unlike other regional theatre experiences. By taking a holistic approach to learning and being involved as part of our team, Perseverance supports apprentices to become active leaders and members of our artistic community. 

As a part of that commitment, Perseverance manages an apprenticeship program that begins in August 2023 and goes through April 2024. This includes a $200 weekly stipend, housing, travel, and local transportation are provided. Perseverance Theatre recognizes there are very real social and economic barriers to accessing higher education. We are committed to an equitable application process, and encourage all to apply, regardless of level of experience or education. 

ABOUT THE THEATRE

Perseverance Theatre is Alaska’s largest professional theatre committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community of staff, apprentices, and individuals. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Leslie Ishii and Managing Director Frank Delaney, Perseverance produces musical, contemporary, and world premiere productions in Juneau and Anchorage. Founded in 1979 by Molly Smith and the community of Douglas and Juneau, Perseverance Theatre has grown to become a nationally-recognized institution that produces new works and uplifting Alaskan voices.

Interview with 2021-2022 Artistic Fellow Irene Martinko

Rio Alberto sat down with Artistic Fellow Irene Martinko before her departure to the Olney Theatre Center. Irene Martinko is a dramaturg, writer, producer, and performer currently working as Olney Theatre Center’s Casting and Producing Fellow. Originally from Springfield, VA, she graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2018 with a major in Theatre and minors in Music and Women and Gender Studies. From New York to Alaska, Irene has worked for regional theatres across the country including Perseverance Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, and the Adirondack Theatre Festival. Perseverance credits include: With (Assistant Director and Dramaturg), Silent Sky (Margaret), and Voyager One (Dramaturg). She also served as a Staff Writer with Onstage Blog for which she wrote opinion pieces, theatre news updates, and artist profiles, and her children’s chapter books can be found on Amazon. Irene is most passionate about new play development and is a member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas and Ring of Keys.

Rio: How did you come about this artistic internship and Perseverance?

Irene: I graduated with a degree in directing, and that was in 2018. I knew that I wanted to go into an internship. There are a lot of different ways to start working in theater, but to me, internships felt like a stable way of getting into theater.

Where you can learn and grow without the pressure of being thrown headfirst into something, where you’re allowed to grow and learn. I was looking for different opportunities and at that point in my life, I was willing to work anywhere, I will live anywhere, and I’m so excited to travel. Where can I go? For the first time around, I started working for the Florida Studio Theater. I really loved it.

At that point in my life, I wanted something completely different. What’s completely different from Florida, is Alaska. I found this internship and was very interested in the idea of spending time in Alaska, I was very interested in the work that they were doing. I had this mindset that I wanted an adventure, to me, that felt like an adventure.

I applied, but I didn’t expect anything and wasn’t sure what my next steps were. When I got the position, I thought someone would fly me to Alaska so I could go do theater. The rest is history.

Rio: Where did you do your undergraduate?

Irene: Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania.

Rio: What was your favorite experience at Perseverance Theatre?

Irene: There were so many great experiences at PT! I enjoyed being in Silent Sky, that was very fun for me. I hadn’t acted in a long time. I loved the story, the cast, and I loved the design. There were so many things about that that were very exciting. I feel like I learned a lot from that process. Throughout the last three years one of the things I loved about PT is I’ve been able to work in different departments and do so many different things. The things that have excited me about each project is different. They all have their own victories.

Rio: If you were to return to PT again, what kind of projects would interest you?

Irene: It would depend on specific names. There are so many amazing playwrights and writers in Alaska. To be able to support those playwrights. I think we have so much writing talent in the state and PT is in a position to support them and nurture that. I would be excited to see those new plays.

Rio: Any thoughts on the most surprising thing about doing theater in Alaska?

Irene: I’m from the lower-48 and I had this idea of Alaska in my head. It’s not the same as when I first arrived. I am so glad I was able to learn what it’s like to live in Juneau. There is so much I’ve learned about the Native culture, and the way that theater functions. It was a surprise to me that there was a theater here at all. Maybe that sounds bad because there is theater everywhere. I think that all of us who work at PT get that, when we talk to people in the lower-48, and they are surprised we have theaters in Alaska.

An internship with Perseverance Theatre is so much more than just working for a theatre. It is about transforming the field at a national level while engaging deeply with our neighbors at a community level. 

How to Apply

Perseverance Theatre is seeking a Production and Stage Management Apprentice for our 2023/2024 Season! 

Perseverance fosters an organizational culture led by our values of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. To apply, please submit a cover letter and a resume (including three references) to joseph@ptalaska.org with the subject line “2023/24 Production/Stage Management Apprenticeship.” Applications are due by May 1, 2023.

If you have any questions, please email joseph@ptalaska.org 

The Opening the Box of Knowledge talkback after the performance on October 13th was incredibly heartwarming and eye opening. Qacung Blanchett and President Richard Peterson of Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska were the hosts for the evening. Together with the cast members they sat down to discuss the world premiere of Frank Katasse’s Where the Summit Meets the Stars and connect about their shared love of theater, representation of native voices in modern media, and enjoy each other’s presences. 

The energy in the room was warm and jovial from the get go, the participants almost immediately cracking jokes about Poutine before even introducing themselves. This quickly became a running gag – people would mischievously slip a poutine joke into their responses as the discussion progressed. The artists’ love for art and their community was ever present in the roles that each of them played in transforming the show from words in a script to a fully realized, incredible production. Remarking on how Ed Littlefield and Jill Kaasteen Meserve expertly  concocted an intricate soundscape for the show, Qacung said “…it felt at times like I was in a concert.” Jake Waid, who plays John in the show, mentions that he jumps at the chance to be involved in one of Frank’s shows saying, “He really is a genius, what Frank does is he just dives into the ocean and he comes up with a raw gem”. Naturally, this took a hilarious turn as each of the panelists made a point to face the previous speaker and lauded them for their genius. 

One notable theme of this discussion was the many ways the American theater has failed to equitably represent Indigenous stories. Focusing on shows that primarily highlight caucasian protagonists and stories.  President Peterson says, “I always talk about representation matters. Art and music, they’re kind of universal and can be taken in by everybody right?”  The panelists said that this is why Where the Summit Meets the Stars and the collaboration with Perseverance Theater is so important.  This work aids in the continued re-indigenization of theater and the decolonization of the rehearsal process. To this point the cast shared stories with President Peterson and Qacung Blanchett about how they would take days to go outside. Going on canoe rides, creative team blueberry picking trips, and taking a dip in the cold waters of Auke bay. Supplanting eurocentric ideas of what a rehearsal period looks like. 

Erin Tripp stated, “Especially since Vera’s ‘Our Voices Will Be Heard” and “Devilfish”, […] I feel like there’s been a bigger drive forward to indigenizing the stage here. And also making it, not just indigenizing the performances but also the space for the Native community to feel welcome to come here and create our art and tell our stories”. 

The conversation flowed very naturally into what representation means on a larger scale, in mainstream television and streaming services. With some shows such as Reservation Dogs representing Indigenous voices truthfully while many others not doing nearly enough. Not putting in the work necessary to craft stories that Indigenous people can truly see themselves in. But the participants of the talkback were proud of the work that Native artists are doing to lift each other up. Creating work that inspires others to have their stories heard. Qacung Blanchett says, “I feel like there’s been an explosion of indigenous cultural expression and we’re apart of it, all of us.” 

As the talkback was coming to a close President Peterson had one more message for the cast and for the audience, “Where the Summit Meets the Stars, Devilfish, all these other plays and what Perseverance is doing matters. Because representation matters. My heart’s really just full of gratitude for all of you for putting yourselves out there, sharing your art, sharing your love, and representing us in the best possible ways.” Perseverance is honored and humbled to be a place in which the Tlingit and all Alaskan Native artists can come to create art that captures their experiences, their lives, and their love. We seek to be good stewards of this land and of our stage so that trust and gratitude can continue to be built. 

Thank you again to President Richard Chaylee Éesh Peterson and Stephen Qacung Blanchett for collaborating on a wonderful talkback. Your partnership is forever humbly appreciated. Gunalchéesh!