Beyond the Classroom: Annie Kao (CFA’23)

CFA Students

My internship at the Institute for Human Centered Design

In CFA’s Beyond the Classroom Series, music, theatre, and visual arts students at BU share their work experiences. These Terriers express how the resources at BU prepared them for success beyond the classroom.

February 17, 2023

BU’s MFA in Production Management challenges students to push boundaries and redefine the traditional role of the Production Manager. In their last year, students work on a thesis project that represents the culmination of three years of study.

Annie Kao (CFA’23), a graduate Theatre Production Management student originally from Bangkok, Thailand, chose to do their thesis on the topic of disability justice and its application in the theatre industry.

Through their network and connections at BU, Annie secured an internship with the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD). IHCD is an organization that specializes in accessibility across ages, ability, and culture. Annie spoke with CFA about the opportunities that came their way with the internship, such as working with accessibility experts at the new David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, home to the New York Philharmonic, and developing a podcast series on accessibility in theatre as part of their thesis!

Q&A

WITH ANNIE KAO (CFA’23)

CFA: What’s your role in the internship? What are your responsibilities?

Annie: I worked with IHCD’s user/expert lab that provides assessments for clients on places they can improve accessibility. A primary user/expert is a person who has developed expertise by means of their lived experience in dealing with the challenges of the environment due to a physical, sensory, or brain-based functional limitation. I participated in the assessments and generated reports on accessibility.

CFA: How did you learn about the internship, and what steps did you take to secure the internship?

Annie: I searched for this internship as it was part of my thesis researching disability justice and its application in the theatre industry. It was kind of convoluted, but I started with interviewing staff at Wheelock Family Theatre as they center access for their audience members which led me to Mass Cultural Council that recommended I reach out to IHCD!

CFA: Any notable accomplishments from the internship?

Annie: The two big visits were to Clark Art Institute in Western Mass and the new David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York. I worked with multiple users/experts, from a person with Parkinson’s to a guide dog user.

The IHCD team at the new David Geffen Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic

Annie’s user expert blind reading the bathroom signage at the David Geffen Hall.

CFA: Did any resources at CFA or BU help you prepare for the internship?

Annie: I really want to shout out Renee Yancey, Lecturer, Management and Management Program Head at BU School of Theatre (SOT), who shifted our Production Management Studio class to center IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility). The final project was about researching a topic where I chose to explore sensory-friendly performances. This ultimately led me to my thesis topic and getting this internship!

I really want to shout out Renee Yancey, Lecturer, Management and Management Program Head at BU School of Theatre, who shifted our Production Management Studio class to center IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility). The final project was about researching a topic where I chose to explore sensory-friendly performances. This ultimately led me to my thesis topic and getting this internship!

-Annie Kao (CFA’23) MFA Production Management

CFA: How did the coursework at CFA connect with your internship?

Annie: I think the production management programs of study at BU are unique as there are a lot of soft skills you learn in the program that transfer. Organizing and managing relationships with colleagues are all great skills that you learn when working on SOT shows.

CFA: In what ways do you think the internship has helped you prepare for your work beyond BU?

Annie: I will be continuing with IHCD by building out and managing their new accessible digital media lab. The goal is to provide a space not only to record classes and interviews for IHCD but also provide a space for individuals and organizations to record their own content.

CFA: What did you learn about yourself?

Annie: I really enjoyed being in the office! While there are many more steps to go to a workplace instead of working from home, it was nice to have that separation after so many years of being cooped up at home.

CFA: Any advice for current CFA students beginning the internship process?

Annie: Reach out to your network! From your professors to friends – new opportunities can be found everywhere and may not be what you initially thought when searching for an internship.

CFA: What’s next for you, Annie?

Annie: My thesis culminates in a podcast series on accessibility in the theatre! It will be published towards the end of 2023. Other than continuing at IHCD, I am also production managing a new play called A Place to Live for a grassroots art collective, OWLL (On with Living and Learning). It is a play about gentrification in Boston, so I am super excited to see it develop. I am also continuing to advance my photography business where I focus on taking show photos and portraits.

check out annie’s digital portfolio

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