The early months of 2020 could very well be referred to by future historians as a fever dream. Out of the global lockdown, innovative and creative ways of staying connected and entertained emerged. In this new world, I lay dormant in Cheez-It-stained sweats and my mind soon followed. Amidst the doom-scrolling and end-of-the-world rumblings, I decided it was the perfect time to go back to school.

In the spirit of the apocalypse and following my dreams, I made a promise to myself to take advantage of every opportunity I came across. One of those opportunities was the CUNY Cultural Corps through York College. This program provides students with paid internships at various art and cultural institutions, like NAMT, and I was fortunate enough to be offered the role of the 2022-2023 Program Intern. As a continuing education student, I am all too familiar with an office environment: the harmonizing synchronization of keyboards, towering castles made from boxes of paper clips and staples, pens and highlighters, and the all-too-comforting hum of the industrial printer that sometimes has a mind of its own. These former jobs had one difference with NAMT (okay two, if we’re counting wine and cheese afternoons): which was the looming and menacing dark cloud over every desk. But at NAMT, you know you make a difference and have purpose. The more I've learned, the harder I've geeked out and my gratitude has grown for the chance to be a part of an organization at the helm of developing new musicals. Research and spreadsheets have never been more exciting.

As someone who is introverted, it is all too easy to sometimes get caught up in the social theory of individualism, and the lockdown exacerbated that kind of thinking. Going back to school served as remediation and put me right in the heart of the collective, reminding me of my purpose and my passion. My time here at NAMT gave new life to my malnourished sense of creativity and provided me with real-world knowledge and experience in a field that I previously thought held no space for me. With graduation just around the corner, I feel empowered and confident in making my dreams three-dimensional. When an opportunity arrives at my table, I am more than ready to grab it with both hands. 

Erica Jeudy, NAMT Program Intern 2022/2023

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