Student creativity is woven into everyday life at University of the Pacific. Many music ensembles are open to anyone, music major or not. Pacific’s gallery and stages host student work, and cultural festivals connect campus to the wider world.  

Here’s a look at how you’re immersed in arts in culture on campus. You may even find a way to show off your own work.  

Campus stages and galleries 

Whether you’re viewing a student exhibit at the Reynolds Gallery or watching a performance at Faye Spanos Concert Hall, Pacific has spaces where creativity thrives. All across campus, there is no shortage of ways to engage with art.  

Weekly films and speakers

Film lovers have lots of choices with weekly screenings of independent, classic and international films throughout the academic year, plus special guest lectures and premiere nights for student-made work.

Student musicals

Student musicals at Pacific’s Faye Spanos Theatre bring together performers, musicians, designers and crew from across campus to create vibrant productions that showcase both talent and collaboration. Recent productions include “Brigadoon,” “Camelot” and “Into the Woods.”

Student and faculty art exhibitions

The Reynolds Gallery is more than a place to view art—it’s a space where students expand their perspectives and sharpen their visual literacy. Changing exhibitions throughout the year immerse visitors in diverse media and ideas, while selections from Pacific’s permanent collection enrich everyday campus life. Always free and open to the public, the gallery connects students to art in ways that deepen their education and sense of place in the cultural landscape.

Culture around every corner 

Art lives in surprising corners of Pacific’s campus, from murals brightening walkways to impromptu performances that spark connection.

Campus murals

Student-created murals bring color and creativity to some of Pacific’s most recognizable spaces. On the Jeannette Powell Art Center, large-scale works turn blank walls into vibrant canvases that showcase the talent of Pacific artists. The DeRosa University Center, the heart of student life, also features a striking mural that welcomes visitors with bold design and student perspective. Each piece was envisioned, designed, and painted by students, making the murals not only artistic landmarks but also lasting contributions to the cultural identity of the campus.

Powell Art Collection

Robert and Jeannette Powell, Pacific’s largest donors, gifted over 20 works of art that can be found in spaces on all three of Pacific’s campuses in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco. The collection is the centerpiece of Pacific’s permanent collection and features works from Ruth Rippon, Jasper Johns, Richard Diebenkorn, Frank Lobdel and more American artists.

Campus culture

Your turn on stage 

Not a music major? No problem. Pacific offers ensembles, choirs and jam sessions that welcome students from every background, proving you can make music no matter what your major is. 

Pacific Pep Band

Pacific Pep band is for anyone, even non music majors, no audition required! You can even get payed to play at campus events all year-round.  

Mariachi band

Your front-row seat to Pacific’s campus arts and culture

Mariachi is offered as both a class and ensemble through the conservatory, open to students of any major with prior experience on violin, trumpet, guitar vihuela or guitarrón.

Originating from the western Mexican state of Jalisco in the mid-1800s, mariachi blends indigenous and European sounds and stands as a vibrant symbol of Mexican culture.

Festivals and traditions 

Listen to drums shake the air at the Diwali festival, watch lanterns glow for Lunar New Year and see the campus come alive at the block party. From first gatherings to traditional festivals, these moments blend joy, culture and community.  

Diwali festival

Diwali, also known as The Festival of Lights, is a very important Indian religious holiday that symbolizes the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma, light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. 

Latinx Heritage Month

Your front-row seat to Pacific’s campus arts and culture

Pacific’s Latinx Heritage Month celebrates the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. 

The festivities feature events from students, faculty, staff and alumni groups that showcase Latinx history and culture.

Black History Month

Black History Month at Pacific offers students high-profile speakers and a diverse lineup of events. Through events, performances, and conversations, students see how the creativity, leadership, and achievements of Black changemakers continue to shape our communities and the world. In 2025 the university welcomed actor, Giancarlo Esposito who spoke about embracing the various aspects of his bi-racial and acting identities and discussed how loving what you do for a living can help launch a successful career.

Lavender Graduation

Lavender Graduation is a supplemental graduation ceremony intended to recognize the accomplishments of students who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or have been involved in the LGBTQ+ community during their time at Pacific.

Live events

Spotify playlist: Artists who have performed at Pacific

Check out all the artists who’ve performed on campus. 

Ready to jump in? 

You don’t just see art at Pacific, you live it. Whatever you love to do or see, there’s a place for it on campus. Check out Pacific’s events calendar to see the ways you can get involved.  

Name: Ethan Fontes ’25 

Major: Graphic design 

Minor: Marketing 

Hometown: Tracy, California 

Extracurriculars: ASUOP 

When Ethan Fontes arrived at University of the Pacific, he had never used graphic design software. But with support from Pacific’s graphic design program and a lot of determination, he built a professional portfolio from the ground up. 

After applying to more than 100 internships, Ethan got the callback of a lifetime: DreamWorks. The animation studio saw potential in his work and was impressed by the way he talked through his creative decisions. Today, he’s putting those skills to use as a creative services marketing intern and helps promote some of the studio’s most popular animated shows. 

Working at DreamWorks

“I get to do both things I learned in college, graphic design and marketing, while getting to work on big name productions,” Fontes said. “Currently, I’m working on ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse,’ ‘Bad Guys 2’ and the ‘Jurassic World’ series.” 

At DreamWorks, Fontes wears a lot of hats. He mostly revises key art, which requires him to review posters, video thumbnails and other promotional graphics to ensure they are up to the company’s standards. He also works with trailer editors to ensure the right content has been chosen to convey the story. His other work includes writing internal emails and creating social media posts. Even with a full workload, Fontes says the experience has been pretty straightforward.  
 
“Working at ASUOP was a very fast-paced job. I thought working at DreamWorks was also going to be the same,” Fontes said. “I definitely feel like I pushed myself hard in and out of class. It prepared me well because I feel it’s actually little bit slower here.” 

Learning how to design at Pacific 

At Pacific, Fontes put his efforts into more than just his classwork. He attended networking events on and off campus to build connections and said yes to as many projects as he could. While he did a lot on his own, his mentors also provided crucial guidance. 

Fontes said his coursework with art Professor Marie Lee and Professor Brett Deboer, who has since retired, helped him hone his skills in graphic design. Studying the basics such as typography and layouts was integral to his professional development. He noted that Lee’s branding class in particular prepared him to work with companies on product designs.  

“I feel like those classes helped strengthen me in the areas I needed,” he said. “Graphic design was something I liked to do on the side before I started school. Now it’s something that I’m passionate about doing and want to do as a profession.” 

Fontes, a marketing minor, said learning to receive criticism at Pacific was vital for succeeding in the professional world and that he values the ability to give constructive feedback. This skill is especially important in his current position at DreamWorks, he said, where he reviews a wide range of marketing materials. 

Taking the next step 

Fontes said his favorite part of the DreamWorks internship has been working on unreleased projects. He gets to watch things that haven’t been announced to the public yet. He said it’s that exclusivity that makes him want to continue working in entertainment.  

“I know I want to work in TV, music or sports. It would be really cool to work for Disney, stay with DreamWorks or work for a big label,” Fontes said. “There’s a lot of possibilities in bringing that mixture of marketing and design to any entertainment role.” 

Advice for future designers 

Since the industry is built on connections and relationships, Fontes recommends that future graphic design students do more outside of class than perfecting technical skills. Getting off campus, attending industry conferences and meeting new people is just as important as understanding design software, he said. Starting small and being active on campus is important to him, as well.  

“Small things add up to big things, and you might be noticed for a career path that you want to be in just because of a little thing you did on campus,” he said. “Those activities that you’re a part of carry over to personality traits that you can bring into interviews and in the workforce.”  

Felicity Andrews ’24  
Major: Graphic design 
Internship: Creative design intern, Walt Disney Company 
Hometown: Modesto, California 
Clubs/Activities: AIGA Student Group; Department of Art, Media, Performance and Design representative, Associated Students of University of the Pacific; Calliope Art & Literary Magazine; InterVarsity Christian Fellowship; TEDx UoPacific Marketing Team  

Felicity Andrews ’24 transferred to Pacific and found her creative home in Pacific’s graphic design program. With three internships under her belt already and a packed resume of campus involvement, Andrews is putting her skills to work as an intern at The Walt Disney Company where she contributes to global projects for the company. Andrews reflects on her Pacific experience, what led her to design and the advice she has for future creatives. 

Describe your internship and how your experiences at Pacific helped prepare you for this opportunity. 

I’m currently a creative design intern at The Walt Disney Company, supporting the Talent Acquisition Marketing team. Our team leads recruitment marketing efforts across Disney Enterprises, which means I have the exciting opportunity to contribute to projects spanning a wide range of Disney businesses—both domestically and internationally.  

Right now, I’m focused on supporting Disney Programs, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney on the Yard, a program for Historically Black College or University (HBCU) students. No two days are the same, which keeps things engaging. Depending on the needs of our partners, I’ve worked on everything from promotional merchandise and flyers to booth materials for conferences. Ultimately, our goal is to create compelling materials that inspire individuals to apply and be a part of the story at Disney.  

My experiences at Pacific did play a role in preparing me for this opportunity. The design program gave me my foundation in design principles and exposed me to a variety of mediums, which helped me become a well-rounded designer. Professors Lee and DeBoer were also instrumental in my growth, as they were the ones who helped shape me as a designer.  

Pacific’s program encouraged me to think critically, stay curious and take ownership of my growth as a designer, qualities that have been invaluable and will continue to shape my career.  

What made you choose Pacific?  

I chose Pacific because it offered the combination of being local and providing a good academic program in graphic design. Commuting from home was important when I transferred from Modesto Junior College. As I explored Pacific’s design program, I was drawn to the classes available and the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in two years, keeping me on track to graduate in four years.  

The beautiful campus and smaller student body also made it feel like a place where I could thrive, especially after coming from a small high school and spending my first two years of college online.  

Why did you choose your major?  

I chose graphic design because I’ve always been interested in the arts and creating. In junior high, I joined the yearbook team for my love of photography, but I stayed until my senior year of high school because I fell in love with design. Creating layouts and selecting typefaces quickly became my favorite part of the process. When I discovered I could turn that passion into a degree and a career, I knew it was the path I wanted to pursue and ran with it.  

Who has inspired you at Pacific?  

There are a handful of people who have impacted me at Pacific, but my friends in the design department have been a huge source of inspiration. Because the design department is a smaller program, I had the chance to work closely with my peers and professors DeBoer and Lee, receiving individual feedback and advice that helped me grow.  

One of my most impactful collaborations was helping to revive and co-lead the American Institute of Graphic Arts Student Group (AIGA), which the department supported, including funding our trip to the 2023 AIGA Design Conference in New York.  

The experiences I had with AIGA helped me feel more connected to the design community and shaped my passion for mentorship. I found myself guiding peers through portfolios, job applications and interviews. I realized how important it is to support new designers in today’s challenging industry.  

My time in the program also helped refine my design philosophy, which is centered on bringing joy to others through my work. That purpose will continue to guide me as I move forward in my career. 

What is your favorite memory about Pacific?  

There are so many treasured memories from my time at Pacific, it’s hard to pick just one! One of my favorites, though, is DeStress Fest and the late-night breakfast. In my final year at Pacific, I went with my friends, and it was such a fun way to unwind after the semester. We enjoyed the activities and staying up late eating breakfast together while reflecting on the fall semester which made for such a memorable time.  

What learning opportunities have you had outside the classroom?  

Before graduating from Pacific, I completed two design internships. At Blackwing, a pencil manufacturing company, I designed internal materials and at BGG Creative & BGG West, a creative agency, I worked on various client projects.  

Additionally, I worked as a graphic designer for ASUOP, where I designed flyers, social media content, stickers and even the postcard and blue Pacific posters now painted in the DeRosa University Center. These experiences gave me hands-on opportunities to apply what I was learning in the classroom in real-world settings.  

Right after graduating, I continued building on those experiences as a design intern at Gallo Winery, where I contributed to high-impact projects for major brands like La Marca, Barefoot and New Amsterdam.  

What advice would you give incoming graphic design students?  

Immerse yourself in the program and design community as much as you can. Take every opportunity to get involved: join AIGA, become a graphic designer for ASUOP, or contribute to Calliope. These experiences will connect you with a creative community and provide valuable insights for internships and job searches.  

Also, push yourself to go the extra mile on your design projects. Doing so will strengthen your portfolio and showcase your creativity. Always stay curious, embrace learning and strive for constant improvement; this tenacity will take you far.  

And most importantly, network. Networking may feel intimidating, but it’s incredibly important. Reach out to Pacific alumni on LinkedIn who studied graphic design or are in industries you’re interested in and learn about their journeys and what helped them succeed.  

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy college life! Spend time with friends, have fun and take breaks to recharge. It’s so important for staying inspired and avoiding burnout. 

Student projects are a great way to show off your skills and education to employers after graduation. Sometimes, they even snowball into something bigger.  

That’s exactly what Asher Bloom ’24, Achish Enriquez ’26, Peter Williams ’25 and Ben Shafer ’26 of Pacific’s media production program did, taking their project, “Rhythm,” from a short project into a full-length documentary.  

Now in post-production, it follows Sacramento-based drummer Floyd Kennedy as he teaches music at his church well into his retirement. 

The team says the support of their professors and the Department of Art, Media, Performance and Design made the documentary possible. The department played a pivotal role, funding a trip to the annual media festival South by Southwest. There, they met professionals whose advice and support convinced them to turn “Rhythm” into a documentary.  

Like many projects to come out of Pacific, the core of “Rhythm” starts with the connections students make with each other. 

Learning by doing 

In 2023, Enriquez, Bloom, Williams and several other Pacific students created the EXR Film Production Collective. It served as a way to expand their work portfolios and a chance to learn from each other.  

Their first project was the music short film “remember,” which won first place in the Community Filmmakers category at San Joaquin Delta College’s Digital Media Film Festival in 2024.  

“Rhythm,” started out in a similar vein, set to be just a few minutes long and part of Bloom’s senior project. He also had personal ties to its subject.  

Bloom had known about Kennedy since he was young when he took drum lessons with one of Kennedy’s former students. Years later, when Bloom was a student at Pacific, he started taking lessons with Kennedy directly and learned more about his life.  

“He’s had this amazing life of mentorship through teaching at Natomas High School in Sacramento, where he created a drum line from scratch and helped thousands of students throughout his 30 years there,” Bloom says.  

But the project isn’t just about Kennedy’s drumming or his students’ accomplishments. It’s also about how his efforts as an educator have built communities.  

“He is not only a teacher. He’s a mentor. He’s a father figure,” Enriquez says. “And that’s something that should be shared with everybody—shared with administrators, shared with teachers—to know they can make such a big impact on people’s lives.” 

That was the spark for inspiration, a desire to celebrate the legacy of educators and mentors like Kennedy. So, the team got to work on their short project.  

Turning “Rhythm” into a documentary 

In March 2024, Pacific’s media department sent 13 students to South by Southwest, the annual media festival in Austin, Texas. It’s a chance to screen the new media, network and to get advice on projects and careers.  

Among those students were Enriquez and Bloom, who brought a teaser trailer for “Rhythm.”  Their conversations with professionals convinced them it had bigger potential.  

“We were so inspired by all the films, all the creatives in the area and all the advice we were given about our project,” Enriquez says. “We decided to increase the length, drop it as a spec ad and create a story. That really meant it could impact so many lives.” 

The team kept filming Kennedy, even following him to the Gospel Music Workshop of America in Memphis, Tennessee. As the team worked on “Rhythm,” they put their education to use and built up their skills.  

Bloom, the director and producer, says his media production degree prepared him for the technical matters, but shooting the documentary has strengthened his soft skills.  

“One thing I didn’t know much about before starting the project was really how to interview people and how to structure a story in a way where it’s digestible and understandable,” he says.  

Enriquez, the producer, wore a lot of hats while handling on- and off-set logistics. The experience built up her leadership abilities, especially as she raised money for “Rhythm.” She says it’s also improved her skills at managing a team.  

The team didn’t do it alone, though. Bloom and Enriquez highlight mentorship at Pacific as an essential part of the process.  

Mentorship that matters 

The team says Pacific faculty have offered invaluable advice about the project, often giving viewpoints from other creative perspectives.  

“I’ve gotten some from my graphic design professor,” Enriquez says. “I’ve gotten some from my adviser, from Professor Joshua Salyers. It’s important to have support like that because it makes you feel like you’re really creating change.” 

On top of faculty mentorship, Enriquez also highlights the opportunities the department offers to its students. This year, she’ll be going to the Cannes Film Festival in France with the department.  

“Opportunities like that don’t come easily,” she says. “So, it’s really great that they give those opportunities to students because it’s really valuable in shaping who you are and what you want to be.” 

As for “Rhythm,” the team hopes to finish and release it by August of this year. They’re currently working on a crowdfunding campaign to secure funds for post-production costs and hope it’ll be part of the 2026 film festival circuit.  

At its core is a story they hope will touch educators everywhere, regardless of whether they’re still working or retired. 

“Floyd’s story is a lot more than just drumming or gospel drumming,” Bloom says. “His faith is at his core, but he’s been using it to impact literally thousands of students. That’s the story we’re trying to tell.” 

University of the Pacific emphasizes hands-on learning, so that you’ll enter the job market with career-ready skills. Sometimes those projects even lead to something bigger, like these Pacific media production students whose documentary “Rhythm” started as a senior project.  

(Editorial note: The Media X degree changed its name to media arts and production in November 2024)

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a celebration of film, television and music all wrapped into one festival in Austin, Texas. Every March, filmmakers gather to screen their new films, and many aspiring filmmakers go to network and appreciate each other’s work. This year, Pacific sent 13 media production students to experience the festival.  

“Meeting industry professionals, meeting stars, meeting directors, getting advice from them on how to actually navigate the industry is immensely valuable. They eat, sleep and breathe film on a national and international scale,” said media production Director Joshua Salyers. 

Pacific partnered with the American Pavilion, the United States’ official representative during festivals and exhibits around the world, which had previously worked with the department to send students to the Cannes Film Festival. In addition to movie screenings, American Pavilion provides networking and hands-on opportunities for students.  

Funding for the trip was made possible by the donor-backed College of the Pacific gift account and more specifically, the Barbara and Bob Bejan Experiential Learning Endowment. Pacific covered the food, transportation, lodging and festival passes for all 13 students.  

“We had the premium badge which allowed us to attend all the events that were not only film but also interactive media and music,” said media production major Achish Enriquez ’26. 

Movie premieres 

The media production students were among some of the first people in the world to view new movies including Daisy Ridley’s new movie “Magpie,” the comedy “Y2K,” the Jesse Eisenberg-directed film “A Real Pain” and the Jordan Peele-produced film “Monkey Man,” just to name a few. All the directors and stars were at SXSW to talk about the films, answer questions and give insight to young filmmakers into how they were all made.  

“My favorite was a film called ‘Ghost Light,’ which is a take on Romeo and Juliet in the modern day,” said media production major Andrew Garcia ’25. 

Aside from getting firsthand industry knowledge from creators, students met many of their favorite celebrities in the theater.  

“Jordan Peele was sitting, like, two rows away from us. So, I get to say that I watched a movie with Jordan Peele,” Enriquez said about the “Monkey Man” premiere.  

Some of the media production students talked with director Jesse Eisenberg after his film premiere and took a group photo. However, photos and moments with celebrities were not the only valuable experiences students got out of the festival. 

Networking opportunities

The American Pavilion also provided career mentor sessions for students and interns. These sessions covered areas of the film industry ranging from directing and producing to online content creation with professionals.  

“I went to this one session that was an Asian creator meetup. I was able to network with a lot of those people and know the type of work that they do,” Enriquez said. “And I was also able to show them my current portfolio, and they were able to give me feedback.” 

Valuable learning experiences

Salyers said his students demonstrated independence at SXSW, which made him feel confident they will succeed in the media production program.  

“One of the values of coming to University of the Pacific is the ability to learn while being hands-on,” he said. “Experiential learning is the application of what you learn in the classroom.  [SXSW] is a good example of that, both for soft skills but also getting a better understanding of the industry from people who are actively in the industry.” 

Enriquez and Garcia want to pursue careers in directing media when they graduate. Enriquez wants to work in film. Garcia is interested in sports marketing and broadcasting.  

(Editorial note: The Media X degree changed its name to media arts and production in November 2024)

Media X graduate Taylor Wick ’23 began her graphic design career on a sheet of paper drawing her favorite cartoon characters. She kept this creative work going through high school and community college. After spending some time there, it became clear that it was time to expand her knowledge of art and graphic design.  

“I came here knowing a little bit about graphic design, but at UOP, I got to expand on that knowledge and take more advanced graphic design courses, which really helped my skills,” Taylor said.  

After transferring to University of the Pacific from San Joaquin Delta College, Taylor enrolled in the Media X program where she was able to take advanced courses in graphic design and broaden her understanding of the medium.  

In 2022 Taylor applied for an internship at the Herrick Steel company in Stockton where she was quickly accepted. She worked hard to convince managers that the company needed a graphic designer. When she graduated, she was promptly offered the newly created position of digital artist at Herrick Steel.  

“In a field that isn’t used to having a graphic designer, I feel completely respected,” Taylor said.  

At Herrick Steel, Taylor works on everything from bid designs for clients to holiday greeting cards. Most recently she designed 30 pages for a bid on a hospital project. Her team submitted the bid and got the job.  

Taylor found inspiration for her color pallets by watching the welders work in the steel yard. She adapted the glowing sparks from the welding to her own art style. Taylor credits her professors and Pacific’s Media X program for her adaptability as an artist.  

“The most important aspect of Media X was learning how to fail, it’s OK to make mistakes, and you’re going to make mistake,” she said.  

Media X’s approach to hands-on learning allows students to experiment in their respective artistic fields. Taylor said that while professors are always there to help you improve, your education and what you do with it is up to you. Taylor graduated on the Collge of the Pacific’s Dean’s Honor Roll and, after working hard on her 3D character creation for her senior capstone, was awarded Media X Student of the Year for 2023. She advises any student to think outside the box when applying to jobs in their field and consider unlikely places that may not have someone with your skills. 

(Editorial note: The Media X degree changed its name to media arts and production in November 2024)

Among the many hands-on learning opportunities Pacific’s Media X students can experience is the annual Media Mash, in which Pacific alumni and filmmaker Chris Schueler and producer Dean Butler return to campus and lead intensive production projects. It’s an opportunity to take advantage of the connections students make at Pacific while creating a real impact on the community. 

This October marked the third Media Mash. Students created promotional videos for local nonprofit groups. Media X major Matthew Ford ’24 gives us his take on the experience: 

What is Media Mash? 

Media Mash starts over the course of a weekend, beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday. Don’t worry about catching breakfast. One of the instructors, Pacific alum Chris Schueler, always brings enough coffee and donuts to hold you over. You eat some donuts, maybe get some coffee, and sit down with the rest of your peers and prepare for the unrivaled energy that Chris can bring to any subject.  

Media Mash takes place over a month, but you only fully meet up with instructors twice — once in the beginning and again at the end.  During the first weekend, Chris gives an energetic lecture about the process and craft of documentary filmmaking. He breaks down the three P’s (pre-production, production, post-production) for documentaries and provides a deep dive into the psychology of interviewing and looking out for the right soundbites for your film project.  

Producing ads for nonprofits 

On that first Sunday, we broke into two groups for each of the local nonprofits. Each group made a video for the nonprofits to use for advertisement. My group was working for the nonprofit Unbound Stockton, an organization hoping to start a charter school. Our team was made up of myself and classmates Xander Beck and Achish Enriquez.  

That afternoon, we met with spokespeople for Unbound Stockton. We learned that what’s unique about about Unbound Stockton is their schedule. Between Monday and Thursday, it’s like any other school, but on Friday, they take kids out and help the community in the hope of building better bonds and roots in Stockton.  

My group and I started brainstorming ideas for the video. After our spokesperson left, I became the liaison between our group and him. Our imaginations ran wild soon after we found how amazing our team member, Achish, is with motion graphics. And it became a great part of our video in the end.  

Alumni connection 

The experience and knowledge that Chris has is immense and working with a successful filmmaker was incredible. Besides the obvious knowledge that we gained from the lectures, Chris provided great examples of soft skills in dealing with hiccups and problems that will always come your way when starting a big project such as this one.

Another amazing Pacific alum joined us later during the month, Dean Butler. Hearing Dean and Chris talk about the college and hearing the differences between then and now was incredible. Having that connection with two industry professionals who also attended Pacific was invaluable and a great motivation for our future endeavors. 

Margarita Kuranova ’23 found her internship with SPARC Theater (Shakespeare & Performing Arts Regional Company) when she was looking to fulfill her Media X degree requirement in experiential learning. She spent several weeks this summer as the stage manager for “The 39 Steps,” a play staged in July at Darcie Kent Vinyards in Livermore.

In her position, Margarita collaborated with actors, the production crew, light and sound designers, and she was the director’s right hand. From taking care of props and sets to managing her crew’s stress levels, she had to be on top of her game.

How I got my internship

I needed an internship for my Media X degree. You could take it as a class on campus, but I was really seeking an opportunity outside of campus because I wanted to try something more challenging for me to see if I could actually work with professionals in the industry. That’s when I learned about the stage manager position at SPARC Theater from the Media X department announcements.

I didn’t know if I’d be able to do it because I didn’t really have any previous experience. My Pacific adviser, professor Lisa Tromovitch, encouraged me to go ahead and apply because I was also working for ASUOP arts and entertainment on campus. So, I’ve had some experience dealing with stage and artists.

Professor Tromovitch, who is also SPARC Theater’s producer, was really supportive and helped me submit my resume. Pacific’s International Programs and Services as well as Media X department helped a lot, too. I was surprised how easy the process was because, as an international student, I expected getting an internship outside of the university to be somewhat complicated.

What I did at my internship

I had to be at all rehearsals and take notes of the script changes, keep track of needed props and set pieces. I had to make sure I write it all down because as a stage manager, you facilitate communication across all creative and technical departments. You act as the right hand to the director as well as oversee sets, props, lights and sound. I also called technical cues during performances. I had to be constantly in touch with the director and the production crew, which included costume designer, prop coordinator as well as set, lighting and sound designers.

Additionally, I made notes in my script about any sort of movements that were happening during the blocking stage of the rehearsals because if the director forgot anything, I would need to be the person who reminded him. Which is extremely challenging because directors change everything a million times!

When we were moving from the rehearsal studio to the actual stage at Darcie Kent Vineyards in Livermore, I needed to make sure all the props, costumes and set pieces were delivered to the stage and nothing was missing. I had to instruct my crew on what they will need to do during the set up and performances.

As a stage manager you basically learn the whole show because you have to be present at every rehearsal. The crew comes into play only during the tech week, so they have very little time to learn the show. To help them, I created run sheets and lists, so it would be easier for them to memorize what to do.

What I learned through this experience

I learned to work with a team. As a stage manager you really have to do that. I was very lucky to have an amazing crew of actors and the director who were eager to help. They taught me some things because they are more experienced. All of us learned how to operate together, making sure everyone feels comfortable and everybody’s needs are met.

The other thing I learned would be time management. You need to make sure you have everything done on time. I lived in Stockton so, as a commuter, I had to manage my time even better. Additionally, I had to think in advance about things we might need for our rehearsals in the studio and on site, as I had to make sure actors have had enough time to rehearse with a certain set piece or prop.

My job as a stage manager was in a way to reduce everybody’s stress and make sure I know what to do and how to do it in case something goes wrong – a prop gets lost, something breaks on stage, somebody forgets something, etc. The process can get intense, especially at the final run-throughs. If something went wrong, I needed to make sure I monitored that, reassured everybody and provided quick solutions to the problem. So, problem solving comes into play as well, especially during performances.

My advice for future interns  

Communicate with the people who are hiring you if you have any concerns about your knowledge or responsibilities. Make sure you speak up about that and see if they can provide you with some sort of training before you actually start your job.

And communicate with the people you’re going to be working with. I mentioned to the crew at the theater that it was my first experience, and they should let me know if I was doing something wrong or if they needed me to do something I hadn’t done yet. You’re going to be surprised how nice people are going to be about it because they were your age once and they were in the same position you are now.

And the same goes about anything in life basically. You’re not supposed to know how to do everything from the first time. Yes, it’s going to be your responsibility to learn, but there are going to be people there who will help you to do that.

When Monica Odeh graduated with her BFA in graphic design from University of the Pacific in 2019, she might not have believed you if you told her that just three years later, she’d be running her own business, even less so a coffee company.  

“I never thought about owning a coffee shop. I didn’t know anything about coffee,” she said. “But I know about branding and marketing.”  

The new coffee bar, Cuppajo Coffee, is quickly becoming a community favorite because of its tasty drinks and friendly atmosphere. The revamped space, originally Color Me Coffee, is tucked inside Tocco Divino Hair Salon on the Miracle Mile. It’s within walking distance from Pacific’s Stockton Campus.  

Odeh also works with clients full-time at the Stockton branding agency Revamp Signs, so Cuppajo is affirming her belief in what good design can mean for a business.  

“My favorite thing about having the coffee shop is having a living, breathing model of what I do in my day-to-day work,” said Odeh. “Having a business that I’ve created this branding scheme for that I can show my clients and have proof in the pudding that what I’m doing can work and bring their visions to life as well.”  

Graphic design opportunity

Odeh first heard about Tocco Divino’s coffee bar at a weekly meeting for local business professionals. The owner of the salon, Melissa Sherwood, announced she was selling the shop and asked if anyone was interested. Odeh presented the opportunity to her boss at Revamp Signs, Raziel Pelaez, and the pair decided to go into business together.  

“I took that as an opportunity to present to my boss because we had already been searching for a new idea of how we could implement our business and advertise our services other than doing work for clients,” said Odeh. “And we just fell in love with the space. Being here on the Miracle Mile was just a super cool opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.” 

Odeh has been visiting the Mile since she was a student at Pacific. She says locating her business on the iconic Pacific Avenue block is too good to be true.  

“The Miracle Mile is a very supportive community. The local business owners here have really created a space for the community to come and support small businesses,” she explained. “So, getting to be a part of that and getting to be close to the college now are things that really sold me on that location.” 

Pacific student experiences

Odeh credits Pacific not only for training her in graphic design but giving her the opportunity to apply her skills to real world experiences. As an ASuop graphic designer, she worked with clients. She also curated gallery exhibitions through the art department. She encourages Pacific students to seek out opportunities available to them and make strong relationships on campus.  

“I’ve found a very family-like community at Pacific, especially within my art department,” said Odeh. “So, I would say to take advantage of it and to make sure you’re immersing yourself into the campus as much as possible. It’s small, but it’s big in a lot of ways.”