By Audrey Gibson ('20)
Located in
Center City Philadelphia, the Wilma Theater invites audiences to experience
original productions of contemporary and classical plays. Behind the scenes,
quite literally, you can find Villanova English alumna Casey Berner.
After
Berner graduated from Villanova in 2016 with a double major in English and
communication, she continued her education at Villanova, receiving a master’s
degree in theater with a certificate in non-profit administration. Her interest
in stage management guided her to a fellowship program at the Wilma, which led
to her current position as a project coordinator.
Berner’s
role as a project coordinator spans the fields of marketing and development.
Some of her daily tasks include managing calendars, coordinating schedules, setting
up job interviews, and serving as a liaison to the board of directors.
Berner
says she did not always know she wanted to pursue a career in theater. In fact,
she did not think there were any jobs available other than acting and
directing. However, during her senior year at Villanova, she realized that most
of her courses, involvements, and interests were related to theater, pointing
her in the natural direction of a master’s program.
“I would
be nowhere without my English degree,” Berner says, reflecting on how her
undergraduate degree has shaped her professional experience.
Berner
says the skills she gained as an English major have been incredibly helpful to
her job now. She credits her undergraduate courses and professors with teaching
her how to read closely, write for an audience, and communicate clearly. She
says these skills have been valuable for tasks ranging from writing about current
productions to sending emails to board members and theater executives.
Berner
struggles to narrow her list of favorite undergraduate English courses, naming
Alice Dailey’s “Renaissance Revenge Tragedies,” Crystal Lucky’s “African
American Literature,” and Lauren Shohet’s course on Milton as some of her most
memorable.
“You are
blessed with so many opportunities at Villanova,” Berner says, offering her
advice to current students. “Try new things and see what sticks.”
Berner
also has professional advice to offer students searching for internships and
jobs.
“Learn to
write and speak really well,” Berner says. “Everything is about communication.
You can pick up hard skills, but having the ability to communicate is so
vital.”
While
Berner may not have known her undergraduate degree would lead her to her
current career, she says she is grateful for how beneficial it has been along
the way. Behind the scenes at the Wilma, Berner combines her interests in
English and theater, watching literature come to life on stage.
