Return to Sender
C
 |
| Meghan Stamps (top right) takes a photo with the crew of the Globe |
an you imagine flying to London to study aboard, with the dream of landing an internship at one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world? “I knew exactly what I wanted to pursue, but everyone told me I was crazy,” exclaims Meghan Stamps.
Meet Stamps, a native Texan with a wealth of knowledge and skills that she has gained while studying theatre at the University of the Incarnate Word. “I have been afforded the opportunity to gain wonderful new experiences and more importantly succeed with these experiences,” she said.
Last fall, Stamps moved one step closer to her goal when she interned at the Royal Opera House, the Royal National Theatre and the Globe in London. Stamps wanted to study aboard in London, as well as complete an internship.
“London is the epitome of professional theatre and to have had the opportunity to work there is incredible,” said Stamps. “Not only that, but to have been able to go to London and find myself work at three huge, prominent places was absolutely amazing and meaningful. It confirmed the feeling that I could actually succeed in this business. Not to mention what it has done to my résumé and the great contacts I made.”
 |
| While interning at the Royal National Theatre, Stamps worked on the theatre production called "Mourning Becomes Electra." |
When Stamps began knocking on the doors of the Royal Opera House, the Royal National Theatre, and the Globe, she was hoping for one internship. But, her determination and persistence landed her all three.
Stamps had her mind set on learning more of the technical areas of theatre at the Royal Opera House. “I wanted to understand what the stage manager does differently in terms of calling the show,” she said. “How is working with opera singers and ballet dancers different than working with actors?”
At the National, Stamps learned how to operate a repertory system and to understand the precision of the machinery that the National operates on.
At the Globe, a reconstruction of the theatre that Shakespeare worked in, Stamps was one of only three interns in the entire company and assisted with projects sponsored by the Globe Education Department, including Sonnets, Shakespeare in his Playhouse and Wordplay. “The most intriguing thing for me about the Globe was how much the company has accomplished in a span of six years,” said Stamps. “The huge name they have established for themselves and the incomprehensible number of lives they have been able to touch … I wanted to better understand that process.”
“The country of England, and particularly the city of London, is a nation that loves its theatre and that is clear by the success and impact of theatre companies there,” Stamps said. “I wanted to understand what the difference was, why theatre can survive and thrive throughout all of England and not in the U.S., with the exception of New York and Chicago.”
As Stamps explains, “Basically I wanted to be a spy and figure out all of their tricks and bring them all back to the United States. I must say, though, I think ultimately I was pretty unsuccessful on those grounds. I really never understood what it was that makes theatre in London so much more incredible and amazing. I finally decided I just needed to accept it as a fact of life.”
Mark Rylance, Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Patrick Spottiswoode, and Monica Mason are a few of the famous actors, producers and directors that Stamps worked with in London. Meghan Stamps may not be a household name, but in time, that will change.
Stamps’ interest in theatre dates back to her days in high school. After high school, she originally planned on attending college in Oklahoma. But once she visited the University of the Incarnate Word, she was hooked. “The faculty were incredibly honest and sincere with the students, and they operate under a strong desire to educate and guide,” said Stamps. “There is no way I could possibly be successful without the wealth of knowledge and skills that I have gained from the theatre arts department. Knowing that I am capable and competent also allowed me the confidence I needed to land those internships, and that confidence will guide me when I enter the professional arena.
