Panel Gives Students Insight into Careers in the Arts

Recently, 13 Rider students had a chance to learn from and network with professionals in the field of arts administration. It was all part of the Excellence in Executive Leadership (ExcEL): Leadership in the Arts, sponsored by Center for the Development of Leadership Skills and Career Services on Thursday, October 6, in The Playhouse on the Princeton campus.

The panel featured Timothy Shields, managing director of McCarter Theater; Julie Ellen Prusinowski, director of programs, New Jersey State Council on the Arts; and Todd Dellinger, assistant professor of Fine Arts at Rider University.

During the panel discussion, Shields, Prusinowski and Dellinger each shared their personal educational background and leadership stories, key issues leaders face as they embark upon their careers and work toward high level positions in the arts; and challenges faced at the executive level and how those challenges have been managed. Additional topics included skills necessary for success; what students can do now to prepare for careers in the arts; and career options within the arts that students may consider upon graduation.

Participants included: Kelsey Carroll, a freshman Theater and Business dual major; Caroline Kane, a junior Music Theater major; Nicole Colossi, a freshman Biology and Dance dual major; Julie McNamara, a sophomore Voice Performance major; Christina Pacheco, a sophomore Arts Administration and Music dual major; Julianne Michalik, a freshman Music Education and Piano dual major; Toni Walker-Stanley, a sophomore Fine Arts and Music dual major; Leslie Linguiti, a junior Arts Administration major; Jessica Williams, a junior Voice Performance major; Gina DiPalermo, a sophomore Music Education and Voice dual major; Nicole Smith, a freshman Fine Arts and Music dual major; Giancarlo D’Elia, a senior Music and Voice Performance dual major; and Yoanna E. Akis, a sophomore Voice Performance major.