Thanks to generous support from the Polk County Community Foundation,

local student Lacey Bolt, 16, is getting a “behind the scenes” look at the magic of theater through an internship with Tryon Fine Arts Center.

When Lacey began looking for a summer job, she let her passion for the performing arts guide her.

“I really enjoyed drama classes at school, so I decided to search for a job that would broaden my knowledge of how theater works in the real world,” says Lacey.

Fortunately Lacey, a rising junior at Landrum High School, did not have to go far to find an opportunity in the arts.

“Some of the first performances I went to, like “Snow White” and “Oliver Twist,” were at TFAC,” says Lacey. “I thought it would be the perfect place to get involved.”

Lacey applied for and won the competitive Arts Administration Internship at Tryon Fine Arts Center. The annual internship program is supported by Polk County Community Foundation, and allows local students to experience and contribute to TFAC’s day-to-day operations.

“I’ve done a little bit of everything,” says Lacey, “from helping research performers to running the box office. I’ve learned how to put on a smile and greet the public.”

Lacey is using her new skills to bring a passion for theater to a new generation as the marketing resource for the annual Summer Theater Camp. A partnership between Tryon Fine Arts Center and Tryon Little Theater, Summer Theater Camp gives 20 local children the chance to rehearse and perform a show in one week.

“I love seeing the kids get so invested in their performance. It’s great getting to take pictures of rehearsals and spreading the word about how much fun theater is,” says Lacey.

Lacey has been on the job since June, and will continue working alongside TFAC staff throughout the summer. She hopes to incorporate her new skills into other performing arts work in the future.

“I’ve learned a lot about how a theater operates,” said Bolt, “but the most important thing isn’t the shows and the galleries, it’s people working together to give what they love to the community.”

– article submitted by Michelle Fleming