Culver-Stockton student earns coveted apprenticeship at Theatre Aspen

CANTON, Mo. — Megan Eaton, a junior musical theatre major at Culver-Stockton College junior, has accepted an apprenticeship at Theatre Aspen in Aspen, Colo., for the summer season.

She will be an apprentice in lighting. Apprentices reside in the mountain setting of Aspen for the summer. The theme for the theatre’s summer performances is “Celebrating Resilience: Tales of Triumph and Strength” and features a variety of plays such as “Steel Magnolias” and “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”

In a press release, Haidee Heaton, associate chair of the Division of Fine, Applied, and Literary Arts, said, “This is a highly competitive program and selection process, and she is one of two lighting apprentices out of hundreds of applicants. I look forward to watching her use the skills she learns in C-SC classes and performances and hearing about all the wonderful opportunities that she experiences while at Theatre Aspen. Megan has found a love for lighting design in addition to musical theatre performance. I am so happy she can study with Broadway professionals as she hones her skills. The knowledge and training she receives will be invaluable.”

Eaton understands what an opportunity this apprenticeship is and knows she will get to work with industry professionals.

“I hope to refine the skills I’ve learned at C-SC and develop an even better understanding of industry practices,” she said. “Technology has been constantly evolving, and I look forward to learning more about the new fixtures and systems that Theatre Aspen uses. Above all, I’m looking forward to working with Broadway professionals and other up-and-coming professionals in the industry.”

The C-SC musical theatre major allows students to participate on stage and behind the scenes immediately with no freshman freeze. Students design mainstage productions, direct one-act and full-length plays, work with practicing guest artists, compete in the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival and dramaturg productions. Students also have the opportunity to write and direct their plays.

“I feel what set me apart from other applicants was how well-rounded my resume is,” Eaton said. “Other colleges tend to place their theatre students in a specific bubble, but Culver-Stockton does the opposite. The faculty encourages you to explore all the different aspects of theater and delve into what resonates with you. This sentiment has helped me, and many other students, thrive in an industry where being a jack of all trades is insanely marketable.”