Olivia N. Kaye, a senior Theatre Production and Design major from Scotia, N.Y., is the recipient of the 2024-25 Jurgen P. Banse-Fay Production Management Internship Award at the State University of New York at Fredonia.
The Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center’s annual Jurgen P. Banse-Fay Production Management Internship Award has been presented to Olivia N. Kaye, a senior Theatre Production and Design major at the State University of New York at Fredonia.
The award was established in 2002 in memory of Jurgen P. Banse-Fay, a member of the Fredonia Class of 1988 and Rockefeller operations manager and technical director from 1991 to 1999. Mr. Banse-Fay died in 2001.
The internship is awarded annually to a junior or senior on Rockefeller Arts Center’s student technical staff who best exemplifies the work ethic, professionalism and friendly disposition displayed by Mr. Banse-Fay during his years at Fredonia.
Kaye’s concentrations are in Stage Management and Technical Direction. Her Fredonia credits include the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series productions of “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812” (Stage Manager), “The Crucible” (Technical Director) and “Mason Wright is Not a Mother” (Stage Manager). This coming season, her credits will include the Mainstage productions of “Legally Blonde” (Stage Manager) and “The Book Women” (Technical Director).
This summer, Kaye worked with Berkshire Theatre Group as its production management associate and as a production assistant. Her previous summer work included Playhouse Stage Co. as a carpenter and The Santa Fe Opera as an orchestra services apprentice and as a production assistant.
Kaye, who is from Scotia, N.Y., will graduate in December. Her goal is to then move to New York City or join a national tour to pursue a career in stage management.
In selecting Kaye for this year’s Banse-Fay Award, Rockefeller Arts Center Operations Manager and Technical Director Eric Hadley noted Kaye is well on her way toward her career goals.
“Olivia’s work ethic, steady demeanor and leadership qualities made her an easy choice for this year’s award,” Hadley said. “She is going to find success wherever she goes after Fredonia.”
This year’s Banse-Fay award included $1,500 made possible by the Jurgen P. Banse-Fay Production Management Fund of the Fredonia College Foundation.