During the summer months, Cincinnati Opera comes alive with the addition of over 200 staff members, including students who provide vital support in the office and behind the scenes to help bring opera to life. Through our intern spotlight, we would like to feature some of these talented interns who have passed through the halls of Music Hall as they offer anecdotes of their time spent with Cincinnati Opera and helpful advice for students and the next generation of interns.
First up: Teddy Gumbleton! Teddy began as an intern with Cincinnati Opera in 2010, and he never left. He has accomplished much during his ten years at the opera, moving up the ranks into the position of Director of Corporate & Foundation Giving. What’s his secret? A passion for the arts and a passing resemblance to Tamino from The Magic Flute. Read more of Teddy’s story!
Teddy Gumbleton with Cincinnati Opera colleagues Kelly Holterhoff and Kate Brockmeier
What university did you attend, and what was your major?
I received a Bachelor's degree in Arts Administration from Butler University in Indianapolis.
When did you intern for Cincinnati Opera, and for what department?
I interned in the summers of 2010 (our 90th Anniversary!) and in 2011, both times for the development department.
Were you interested in opera before interning?
I was! In high school, I fell in love with theater, and wanted to learn more about opera as a result. So I began taking advantage of Cincinnati Opera’s student rush ticket program with friends and was hooked.
What was the first opera production you worked on?
The first performance of my 2010 season was our 90th Anniversary Concert. My first formal production was Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.
What was the first opera you saw?
The first opera I ever saw was Cincinnati Opera’s Nixon in China in 2007.
What is your favorite opera?
Oh, there are so many contenders! But if I had to pick one, it would be our 2016 world premiere Fellow Travelers, composed by Gregory Spears with a libretto by Greg Pierce. It has a gorgeous and evocative score, a lyrical and insightful libretto, and a powerful, moving story, that is very relevant to today’s audiences. It showcased how beautiful and visceral opera can be. Working at Cincinnati Opera while the piece was developed and getting to see audiences experience the piece for the first time is one of the great privileges of my life.
Do you have a favorite memory as an intern?
I have many, but the first that came to mind was from my second summer in 2011. My fellow intern (and still close friend) Annie and I were tasked with a social media contest called “Tamino on the Town.” I was dressed as Tamino, a character from The Magic Flute, and Annie took pictures of me at Cincinnati landmarks. The pictures were posted to Facebook and the first person to guess the location won tickets to The Magic Flute. We had a great time exploring the city together and it resulted in some hilarious pictures (see below).
What was the most challenging moment of your internship?
The most challenging part of my internship was managing the donor parking lot. I was in charge of checking donors into the lot and making sure everyone had space. The 30 minutes before each performance was always very stressful when most people arrived. That, plus the summer heat always made for an interesting experience?
What did you do after your time at Cincinnati Opera? What is the trajectory of your career path thus far?
I haven’t had a time after Cincinnati Opera yet! After graduating college in May 2012, I was hired as a development associate. In 2017, I was promoted to individual giving manager and in fall of 2019, I assumed my current role of director of corporate & foundation giving. They can’t seem to get rid of me.
What advice would you give to students entering the workplace?
It seems really basic, but embrace all tasks. There almost always is an opportunity to learn something from it and if you do them eagerly and efficiently, you will move more quickly to interesting projects.
What was your #1 take-away from your internship?
The biggest takeaway from my internship was being able to see ideas I had learned in a classroom happen in a workplace. It was one thing to learn something theoretically, but to experience it first hand was invaluable.
What is a fun fact about you?
The work of art that initially sparked my interest in the arts is Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd.