Left-to-right: Dan Luner (’16), Summer Stage intern Devon Fields of Upper Darby (Penn State), Tina Fey, Summer Stage intern Billy McKeown of Newtown, and Lauren Hight (’15)
When communication major Dan Luner (’16) was asked to help promote the 40th anniversary season of the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, he instantly agreed.
After nine years as an apprentice, then intern, and now assistant marketing manager of the Center’s youth theater program—Summer Stage—Luner was ready for his shining moment: an interview with the Center’s most famous alumna, Tina Fey.
The writer, producer, and Emmy Award-winning actress was returning to the Center for its milestone season and to help fundraise for a new sound system.
Fey’s schedule was planned down to the minute: singing the Center’s anthem, spending time with staff, attending a meet and greet with guests, and participating in a Q&A after a screening of “Mean Girls,” the 2004 movie that she wrote.
With only 12 minutes to interview Fey, Luner knew his time with Fey had to be structured.
He wanted to make sure his team could produce footage that would not only inspire others to give donations for a new sound system, but also effectively promote Summer Stage in the future.
As police officers (Fey’s security), a publicist, Summer Stage staff, and Fey filled an empty classroom that Luner transformed into his gaffer-taped production space, the countdown commenced with instructions to make the limited time work as best they could.
While fellow classmate and Summer Stage intern Lauren Hight (’15) asked Fey the questions, Luner managed lighting and produced the video.
After a blur of questions, answers, and Fey being “everything you hoped she’d be,” Luner says the interview ended in a flash for a group photo.
Luner’s time was up. Although the interview lasted a few minutes, the video he captured gave him footage and an experience to reference for years to come.
With his career aspirations to work in communications at a theater company, Luner says “I’ve been involved with the program for a quarter of its history … gaining experience in the exact industry I hope to find a career in. I'm very appreciative of the opportunities Summer Stage has given me.”