Kaleigh Bendoff ’25
Major: Youth & Community Development with an emphasis in Arts Administration
Minor: Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences
St. Louis, Missouri

Where are you interning and what are your day-to-day responsibilities?
As the Education Intern at Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT), my responsibilities involve preparing materials to promote IRT Summer Camp, creating education display boards for the current productions, assisting in student matinee performances, collecting and analyzing school data in Excel, and more. I also started a Fun Committee, organizing activities to unite all departments.

How does this internship relate to your major?
This internship relates to my major because I see firsthand what it takes to succeed as a community educator. My Youth & Community Development classes did an excellent job of emphasizing that there are more environments where education is needed. In contrast, my Arts Administration classes prepared me to take on more administrative tasks.

What do you like most about your internship?
No two days are structured the same. The arts are constantly changing and evolving, as are my daily tasks and weekly goals. It’s nice not to be stuck with only monotonous tasks. I also enjoy the personal autonomy I get from the Indiana Repertory Theatre because not only does this allow me to be more motivated, but depending on the deadlines, I can take breaks on my own time.

What project are you particularly proud of?
One way that the IRT makes its productions accessible to students is by creating online study guides that can be read before seeing the show. I have been working on one for the musicals in the 2025-2026 season lineup. It is fulfilling to know that my work will be displayed on their website and sent to schools so kids can learn something new.

What are your career goals, and how is this internship preparing you?
I want to make a difference in arts education. My biggest goal is to open my own children’s theatre and be able to be a part of a young artist’s journey in discovering their artistic talents. Interning at the Indiana Repertory Theatre has given me opportunities to get to know the local school districts and other art organizations and show me all the behind-the-scenes of what it takes to run educational programs for a theatre.