Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Flores.
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I look back, the event that lead me to where I am now was my freshman year of High School. My grandma saw an ad for Lone Star College Cy-Fair looking for volunteers to help with their production of “Phantom of the Opera”, she suggested I check it out and I am forever grateful that I did. I had an opportunity to help build parts of the set, operate the fly system and even have the chance to create some magic on stage, a very enticing experience that created a spark for me, even though I did not know that at the time. Fast forward to my Senior year, and I was trying to decide what I wanted to go to college for, I was in a band and I was a swimmer for a long time, both things I identified with much more than a theater person, however, I knew I did not want to pursue an athletic scholarship or major in music. I was leaning towards education, but it was my mom who suggested that I look into theater. I went to Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX and majored in Dramatic Media, a degree that teaches both theater and film. My time at TLU was fantastic, I met a lot of great people and I learned a lot about how to be a problem solver and team player. After school I moved back to Houston, about a year later, I started looking for opportunities in the Houston Theater world. Through some college connections, I was able to reach out and ask for a coffee meeting with the Marketing Director of Stages at the time. When she had accepted she asked if I was okay with her bringing the Production Manager/Technical Director, Joel Burkholder, along with her and I was ecstatic, this was more than I was hoping for! We had coffee and I shared my experience at school as well as my desire to become a Technical Director. Joel was prepared with an application for Stages’ internship program and I went home and immediately applied. I started a week later and was there for the move and grand opening of Stages at The Gordy. It is now three and a half years later, and I am now running their re-imagined internship as the Production Mentor.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While I did ultimately graduate from college, it was not a smooth ride. I did four years at TLU and by the last semester, I was three credits (9 hours) shy of finishing. I moved back to Houston and eventually was able to take the final three classes through Lone Star college and finish my degree officially in December 2020. I think the hardest part for me was not getting to celebrate with my fellow classmates all the hard work done to finish while walking across the stage. I ended up not going to the ceremony when I finished, but I was proud of myself for pushing through to finish even if it was later than I planned.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am in my second year as the Production Mentor at Stages Houston. The mentorship program hires one mentee per season (currently) to be a part of the Stages’ production department in an educational setting while also getting paid hourly. They spend time in the Costume Shop, Scenic Shop, Properties Shop, with Lighting and Audio/Video alongside the production staff gaining hands-on experience. As another part of my job, I assist in the planning and organizing 0f the production track for Stages’ summer program YAC (Young Artists’ Conservatory) for high school and middle school students.
I have also been able to step into the role of Video Designer for a few shows now, including “MacGyver the Musical” and most recently “Plumshuga: The Rise of Lauren Anderson”. While I did not go to school for education, it is something I have always wanted to do, and right now I am able to fulfill my inner artist and inner teacher cohesively while being a part of an institution that is actively trying to change the way we do theater.
Right now, I think I am most proud to be a part of changing how theater internships operate in the city of Houston. There is a global need for change when it comes to how interns or entry-level positions are treated, especially in the arts and being a part of Stages is allowing me to help make that change happen. There is a commonly agreed upon notion that “because I suffered to get to where I am, you have to suffer too” the idea that everyone has to experience the same level of difficulty to move forward in a career just because the previous generation did is not one that I want to uphold. I think that people should work hard and not expect things to be handed to them, but also that we should not have secret rules or gate-keep knowledge just because “I had to work extra hard to learn what I know”.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I am in a unique position in my field. I have the opportunity to directly effect mentees that come through the program not only professionally but personally as well. As someone who went through an internship program, I have a unique view on this program and how it can be better than it was when I went through. This position I am in, does not really exist anywhere else and I am very proud to have this opportunity to pave the way for others to follow.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Joel Burkholder, he is the Technical Director at Stages Houston and has been a mentor for me since my first day as an intern. He has helped me grow professionally as well as pushed me to face challenges head on stretching my problem-solving muscles.
My family is very supportive, especially my parents. They have always encouraged me and my siblings to follow our passions, that work is a large part of your life, so you should pursue something you have an interest in and can stay excited about. My mom is the person who really helped me realize that live performance was something I was always interested in and pushed me to not go the “safe” route of becoming a teacher; for that, I am very thankful.
Contact info:
- Website: https://sarahrflores95.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Instagram: @sflowers.art
Image Credits
Đạt Peter Tôn -Headshot
Sarah Flores – all other photos
