Academics and Research

Theater major uses marketing skills to pull in audiences

“I am extremely passionate about the healing power of theater, and the best way I can see to share this with the world is by getting audiences in the seats,” says Cheyenne Michaels. Photo: Wayne Armstrong

“I am extremely passionate about the healing power of theater, and the best way I can see to share this with the world is by getting audiences in the seats,” says Cheyenne Michaels. Photo: Wayne Armstrong

After years of living room performances and high school plays, Cheyenne Michaels thought she had left theatrics behind when she came to the University of Denver to study journalism. But feeling a bit homesick during her freshman year, Michaels gravitated toward the one place that was familiar … theater.

Three years later, Michaels is grateful for the love and support she found in the DU theater community. She is a senior with a double major in theater and strategic communications and a minor in marketing. Earlier career aspirations of journalism and graphic design have been replaced with a goal of obtaining a marketing position with a theater group.

“I am extremely passionate about the healing power of theater, and the best way I can see to share this with the world is by getting audiences in the seats,” says Michaels, who may be on the way to achieving her goal.

“Cheyenne is exceptionally proactive in creating opportunities for herself to learn more about theater, as well as in helping the department strengthen its visibility on campus through creative and innovative publicity ideas,” says Anne Penner, assistant theater professor. “She cares about the success of the department and has invigorated the student theater ensemble as its president this year with a new mission, logo and series of events.”

Participation in the theater ensemble previously was a requirement of the theater major, Michaels says, but this requirement was removed last year, leaving the purpose of ensemble up in the air. “Attendance had dwindled, but in the last few weeks of last year, it became apparent that students did not want ensemble to disappear. I was elected president, along with other very passionate officers who are helping me to mold the organization into something new.”

In addition to her work with the theater ensemble, Michaels is a third-year Team 1864 tour guide for Undergraduate Admissions and a social media intern for the office of communication and marketing at the Daniels College of Business.

Following graduation, Michaels hopes to find a public relations or marketing job in Denver.

“I love Denver and wouldn’t mind staying here for a few more years,” says Michaels, who grew up in Louisville, Colo. “Last summer, I did a marketing internship with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and I would love to apply there for a full-time position, possibly with Off Center, which is an offshoot of the DCPA that strives to make theater more accessible to younger audiences. My ultimate dream job is to be a marketing director for an off-Broadway theater company or a film festival.”

 

 

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