Learning the London Stage

Theater major and Arts Administration minor Gabrielle Wilson ’14 spent the spring semester in London on an internship she obtained through the Center for International Education’s CAPA-affiliated internship abroad program. CAPA International Education is globally regarded as a leading internship provider in the field of study abroad.

Wilson worked as a marketing and development intern for the Chisenhale Dance Space, a home for experimentation in dance and performance based in East London.

“I was quickly integrated into their marketing team. I designed and implemented a fundraising campaign for their upcoming 30th anniversary, using my acquired knowledge from the Fundraising in the Arts class I took at Rider,” she explained. “The marketing team was impressed with the fundraising principles I knew and how quickly I implemented a campaign.”

Chisenhale’s unique, creative space is a place where artists are encouraged to push the boundaries of dance, offering project support for body-based work of all kinds, by diverse artists from all communities.  

“I really feel I experienced the best of both worlds at Chisenhale,” noted Wilson, a resident of Pitman, N.J. “Not only did I hone my marketing and development skills, but I participated in their creative, experiential classes.”

Wilson added that since Chisenhale classes are created by artists for artists, she learned to challenge and trust herself in the creative process, making her a better actor.

Growing up not far from Philadelphia, Wilson attended summer theater camps and acted in local community theater. Her love of the arts grew and she decided to study theater at a four-year university. When the time came, Rider’s newly established Westminster College of the Arts was a perfect fit.

She enrolled in the Theater program and added a minor in Arts Administration to strengthen her degree. “I’m extremely happy with my decision,” she said. “Through the program, I not only learned arts administration, I also learned how to market myself, manage my time and keep a budget – all valuable tools for an emerging artist.”

Now a strong advocate for study abroad opportunities based on her semester-long program through CAPA, Wilson continues to look for opportunities to promote international opportunities. Recently, she was asked to be an ambassador for CAPA, acting as a liaison to Rider’s Center for International Education.

“I’m really looking forward to my senior year and helping other students see the opportunities an arts abroad program can offer them,” Wilson said.