Launch the media gallery 1 playerWhere Are They Now--Anna Owen, Class of 2012
September 24, 2019
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Burwell High School is excited to continue to feature alumni and their accomplishments. We hope this will inspire and encourage current BHS students! This month we feature 2012 grad, Anna Owen. Check out her questionnaire and pictures of her at work!
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Name: Anna Owen
Graduation Year: 2012
Where do you reside (City, State): Sonora, CA
Education, Schools Attended, Degrees Attained:
BHS, Chadron State College with a BA in Theater 2016
What is your current job and how did you get started there? What kinds of things do you do in your job?
I am the Costume Shop Manager at Sierra Repertory Theater in Sonora California. We are a Small Profesional Non-Profit Theater in the Sierra Nevada foothills. I started here November 2018, I got started here after I worked at the Post Playhouse in Fort Robinson NE in the summers from 2016-2018 as a Stitcher then Costume Shop Manager, and at Norweigein Creative Studios in Tampa FL in the winters 2016-2018 as the Costume Warehouse Coordinator.
As the SRT Costume Shop Manager I am the head of the Costume department at the theater. I manage the budget, oversee the shop, schedule the stitchers, make sure the shop is stocked with supplies, work with the Guest Designers to make sure they have everything they need, manage our assets ( organize and maintain stock) and communicate with the production and design team during production to schedule the fitting and get the show up also during the run of the show to ensure that the costumes stay up to the correct standard.
I do a lot of things in my job, but what I really love is helping the designers build their vision of the show. Even more than that, I love making sure actors feel comfortable and confident in their costumes, it really helps them do their job better and can really bring the production to a whole new level. Theater is really amazing because it is a collaborative art, so the team aspect is also something I really enjoy about my job.
On top of running the department I do a lot of costuming crafts and hair and make up here. So I also get to build and create fun things while being apart of an amazing team.
Have you had any other jobs/careers of interest?
In high school I wanted to be a massage therapist, but my dad wanted me to go to college. So I went to CSC and decided to be a Theater major because there was no other scholastic subject that interested me, or was very good at or dedicated to. It was there I found my passion for theater.
Do you ever come back to Burwell?
Every once in a while to visit family.
What is your favorite memory of Burwell High School?
I don’t think I can pin down a favorite memory at BHS, I had some really great times with my friends their and I learned a lot. However most of my favorite memories came after highschool when I got the opportunity to experience a variety of different places and meet people from all sorts of different backgrounds and places.
How did your experience at BHS impact your career/life path?
I really got my passion for theater in college, however my involvement in one acts at BHS made me interested in theater.
What piece of advice would you give current BHS students?
Don’t try to have your whole future figured out, nobody in their 20’s knows what their doing, don’t be afraid to not know. Everyone needs to go out and see the world while you are young and you can. Also, prioritize your mental health, real talk, that is import.
What are your hobbies?
I spend most of my time at work, I have a pretty busy work schedule. When I am not at work I enjoy spending time out with friends, writing and spending time with my friends dogs.
What was the last book you read? Did you like it?
The last book I read was actually “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Suess to my friends five year old. I love that book and the kid so yes I enjoyed it.
What was the last movie you watched? Did you like it?
The last “Movie” I watched was the stage production of “Cabaret” on Youtube, I watched it before we put on the show “Cabaret” here at SRT.
What is your favorite place to vacation? Why?
There are two places that come to mind:
Maine/ the North East in the fall because of how beautiful all the fall colors are and how cozy the old bed and breakfasts are.
Also Hawaii because it is outstandingly beautiful and there are so many great hiking places it’s really a very unique place.
What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
I feel like my greatest accomplishment is finding my passion and following it out of my comfort zone, to both coasts, meeting people from all over the world and now being the head of a department and being a good effective manager.
