Take 5 with Marketing Intern Reese Stevens

Reese Stevens is a rising junior at the University of Michigan. She is a dual-degree student pursuing Theatre Management & Producing and Organizational Studies, and joins The Umbrella as a Marketing Intern this summer. We "took five" with Reese to talk about the projects she's been working on this summer and what brought her to The Umbrella! 

What kind of artist do you identify as? How long have you been practicing your art(s)?
I am drawn to the arts because they allow me to tell stories and build connections with communities beyond my own. Starting at the age of seven, singing and acting were my way of achieving this. My interest in casting and producing began when I realized that the decisions with the greatest impact got made on the other side of the table. Through my work, I aim to apply management and organizational skills to support artists' creative visions.

Tell us about your educational / career pursuits. What are your interests, passions, or the dream job?
I'm interested in a career in casting and producing for theatre, film, and television. I also have experience in stage management, directing, and dramaturgy.

What first drew you to interning at The Umbrella?
I first learned about The Umbrella from my performing arts management professor earlier this year. I applied for the Marketing Internship because I felt it perfectly captured my interests in arts administration, theatre marketing, and audience engagement in a single role.

Tell us about a time you experienced a work of art (or example of marketing!) that really inspired you.
One marketing strategy that's stuck with me is the physical media for Bat Boy: The Musical at New York City Center. As part of their marketing, they found ways to infuse their advertisements with the streets of NYC by creating flyers and spraypainting the sidewalks. This inspired me to think about how the way I market shows can be personalized to the surrounding communities.

What have you learned so far in this internship? What have you brought to and/or accomplished in the role that you're proud of?
One accomplishment I'm proud of is the research I did for the 2026/27 season shows. Through my work, I delved deeply into each storyline and uncovered key questions, topics, and resources to share with the audience.

We're excited to share all the great work Reese has been doing, and look forward to working with her the rest of the summer!