By Jordan Beach
School of Performing Arts student Maya Jaffar has taken on three internships this year to gain experience in the theater world. Her most recent position brought her to Times Square.
“I found out about the internship by simply ‘Googling’ musical theatre intensive internships,” said Jaffar. “I applied to 48 internships that I was not qualified for—the worst they could say was ‘no.’”
After receiving offers from 10 opportunities, Jaffar settled on spending her summer with Open Jar. She previously interned with Kenny Leon’s True Color’s Theatre Company and Broadway Dreams.
Open Jar provided an eight-week program for interns consisting of four different groups of high school and college students who wanted to learn more about the industry.
“Each week students would work to develop their artistic craft so they one day could be on the Broadway stage.”
Four of the weeks were considered Open Jar Institute, while the other weeks offered Jaffar experience with Open Jar Studios, a Broadway rehearsing space located in Times Square.
“The experience I had with the Open Jar family was an incredible and life-changing experience. I was able to learn more about the industry I hope to one day be a part of while also getting to learn about the wonderful New York City.”
Jaffar is a senior musical theatre major and has participated in a variety of production throughout her time at Reinhardt, including ensemble roles in “Pippin” and “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
