#PittsburghMe: Meet Kooper Sheeley, Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management Major

Meet Kooper Sheeley

Major/Program: Sports, Arts & Entertainment Management
Graduation: May 2020
Scholarships: Vice Presidential
Hometown: Plainfield, Conn.
High School: Plainfield High School
Dream Job: Broadway Producer

"The most rewarding part about being involved is the connections I've made and the number of opportunities that I’ve been presented with. Being a member of five clubs and organizations has taken me to New York City, Washington, D.C. and to national conferences."

Kooper Sheeley

Why did you choose Point Park University?

I chose Point Park for the urban location and small size. I liked the idea of not just being a number in a classroom, and being able to connect one on one with my professors. I also loved that the SAEM department was unlike any other business program that I had looked into. The program allows us to make real-world connections right out of the gate as freshmen. Coming from a small town where the nearest form of entertainment was 45 minutes away, it was very appealing that Pittsburgh has so much going on within walking distance to campus. Overall, this school was just too good to pass up.

How has getting involved on campus added to your student experience?

The most rewarding part about being involved is the connections I've made and the number of opportunities that I’ve been presented with. Being a member of five clubs and organizations has taken me to New York City, Washington, D.C. and to national conferences. Getting involved has made my college experience all the more incredible, and allowed me to meet some of my best friends.

Tell us about your internship with the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

Pittsburgh Public Theater was looking for an intern to help with their Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest, and a friend of mine connected me to the person hiring for the internship. From there, I interviewed and was offered the position.

I work in the development department under a former Point Park graduate, learning how the theater runs. Some of my responsibilities include setting up and tearing down events, working in Tessitura (a system used for ticketing, fundraising and customer management), writing acknowledgement letters and updating the databases of former shows and past educational programs. I have loved every minute of my time in this internship, and am looking forward to helping set up the upcoming gala and the opening night party of Hamlet (look for my name in the playbill).

You recently attended the Association of Performing Arts Professionals conference in New York City. What was that like?

APAP|NYC is the world's premier gathering of the performing arts presenting industry. Last January, 11 other SAEM students and I were selected to represent Point Park at the National APAP|NYC 2018 conference.

Producers, artists, agents, managers and vendors attend this conference to network and book artists for their individual theaters. Attending the conference was really eye-opening and encouraging. Professor Rowell encouraged us to attend showcases and to network with as many people as we could. This was my second year attending, and I would recommend this conference to anyone interested in working on the business side of the performing arts world.

Where is your favorite place in the city to see a show or performance?

The Pittsburgh Public Theatre is my absolute favorite! Everything I have had the pleasure of seeing has always left me amazed and inspired.

What advice would you give to incoming students?

Be yourself and talk to everyone. There are so many incredible people at Point Park and soon enough you are going to be one of them! It's very easy to meet people on campus, and it all starts with a simple hello. I've met some of my best friends on elevator rides and waiting in the café line talking about Meryl Streep. You never know who you'll connect with and where it'll happen, so get out there and just be yourself!

Is there anything else that you’d like to add?

"Don't waste any time trying to be anyone but yourself, because the things that make you strange are the things that make you powerful." - Ben Platt

#PittsburghMe: Meet Kooper Sheeley, Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management Major Student Profile