Jaclyn Zaltz, 23, Windsor, Ontario
York University, B.A. in Theatre Production
Track: Internships Tel Aviv
Internship: The Israeli Opera, Prop Shop
At The Israeli Opera, I am assisting in the props department while they prepare for a huge production of a brand new Israeli opera called The Child Dreams. The production is very macabre and will have a lot of interesting but morbid special effects. The production team is conducting some technical testing soon, so our department has to prepare some mock props to test with. I am building a number of mock dummies (the real dummies will be built later) of small children which will be hanging from the grid above the stage. It sounds strange, but it will be a creepy and cool effect on stage.
My co-workers are amazing. My boss worked for the Metropolitan Opera in New York for a number of years. Everyone at the theatre has been welcoming and hospitable, and this place LOVES to party. We had two separate parties on my second day of work! It's very relaxed and fun-loving, and I'm really looking forward to the work that's to come.
Learn more about The Israeli Opera
What were you doing before you came here?
Before I came to Israel, I was working as a freelance props builder (I had just finished making the props for an independent production of Twelfth Night) and I worked at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto.
How did you hear about this WUJS Israel program?
I heard about WUJS on the internet through the MASA website. Find out more @ Masa: WUJS Intern Tel Aviv
What responsibilities will you have during this internship?
At the opera, I will be working on the props for a new Israeli opera called The Child Dreams. It will be playing in January. The Child Dreams is the journey of escape towards the unknown featuring death and despair intertwined with a hope for a better future.
Check out the play The Child Dreams
Dates
Mon 18.1.10 (20:00), Wed 20.1.10 (20:00), Fri 22.1.10 (13:00), Sat 23.1.10 (20:00),
Mon 25.1.10 (20:00)
Towards Opening: Sat 16.1.10 (11:00)
Before the show back stage tours: Wed 20.1 (19:00), Sat 23.1 (19:00), Mon 25.1 (19:00)
Opera Talkback: Wed 20.1, Fri 22.1, Sat 23.1, Mon 25.1
What are your goals for this internship program?
I hope to learn about the culture in Israel and immerse myself in the language, people and culture as much as possible. I hope to travel the country and see all it has to offer, and to have experiences and friendships that will help me to grow as a person.
Have you had any difficulty settling in?
I haven't really had any mishaps so far, because pretty much everyone has spoken English! I'm sure that when I leave Tel Aviv to go traveling to smaller towns where less people speak English, there will be some interesting stories to tell.
What did your friends say when you told them your plan to come to Israel?
Many of my friends were surprised that I was willing to leave home for such a long period of time, especially to go to a country where I had never been before. Some were jealous that I was going to have such an adventure, but all of them were excited for me to experience something new and exciting.
