Unique live performances and valuable work experience combine for Norton Center House Manager Katie Nipper.
Hailing from Johnson City, Tennessee, Katie toured Centre College during her senior year of high school in 2019. During her tour, she remembers visiting the Norton Center for the Arts and learning about student work positions.
The tour stuck with her, because less than a year later, she was a Centre student and had begun working at the Norton Center.
Katie started out working in the box office during her freshman year, helping patrons purchase tickets and learning about the data-driven aspects of the business. Two years later, during the summer of 2021, she was promoted to House Manager.
Though Katie was used to being an independent problem-solver, this new position came with a learning curve. She quickly realized how important it was to ask her peers for help.
“Sometimes, you just need help,” she shared. “Everyone I work with has been so encouraging and kind when I’ve asked questions. I think that contributed to my growth as a person and employee.”
Katie’s time at the Norton Center has given her the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life. Forging these new relationships became one of her favorite parts of the job.
“We all have our hometowns on our name tags. I remember from my first training that it’s because the patrons love to talk to us and ask about where we are from,” said Katie. “This has held true! There hasn’t been one show where I haven’t had a conversation with a patron and felt like they were genuinely interested in me.”
Some patrons remember her time and time again, and have kept up with her over the seasons.
Katie recommends working at the Norton Center to any Centre student looking for a job.
“Not every job gives you the opportunity to relive your childhood through Harry Potter and Disney Princess-themed shows, listen to live music that you may not have sought out yourself or see Broadway shows like Hairspray and CATS all in one place.”
With a double major in Politics and International Studies, Katie will graduate this spring. She plans to attend law school in the fall of 2023.
Are you a Centre student interested in working for the Norton Center? Give us a call at 859-236-4692 for more information!
