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.
