Teffia’s unique window into the festival
OPERA PEOPLE: TEFFIA HENDRICK
TEFFIA Hendrick started a media internship at the National Opera House in early August and in the proceeding weeks fell in love with the home of opera in Ireland.
Working closely with Opera House media maestro Elizabeth Rose-Browne, Teffia, 21, from Rathgarogue, is in her third and final year studying Media & PR in Carlow.
Her main duties involve assisting Elizabeth with press releases, taking photos and posting to social media and monitoring every single cast, chorus, production members’ social media use in case they put up photos that are outside protocol.
One of a team of four who upload on social media promoting the opera festival, Teffia puts up fresh material highlighting the opera festival on several different platforms, conducts interviews and arranges photo calls with Elizabeth.
Teffia is also the in-house photographer for all of the social media.
‘It’s scary. The first week was when the cast came in so it was just general shots capturing the atmosphere. We have to promote three operas which we have no pictures of, so we have to get atmosphere around the building and little sneak peaks. There is a lot of pressure to get photos for the press but it’s so enjoyable at the same time.’
She has to come up with fresh ideas for each interviewee for a weekly blog.
The experience of working in the opera house has been an education for her, and a joy as she has gotten to meet talented singers and opera production professionals from across the globe. ‘I had never even heard an opera before so coming in to it was daunting, especially at the start as you have to learn everything from scratch, even what an opera is. Building relationships and great communication with people are two of the most important lessons I have learned about PR. It comes down to responding to an email when you get it straight away. People appreciate that.’
One main aspect of her work is impressing on people that opera is a big story.
‘It’s not just opera. The best part of it is leading up to the festival and seeing everyone arriving. All the opera people don’t know each other before they arrive so you’re introducing people to people. It’s such a great way to get to know people and to make connections.’
She said Elizabeth has been a great teacher to her.
‘She just loaded so much stuff on my plate in the start. It was a lot but when the chorus and the staff arrived and everyone and then when you put things into practise it helps a lot.’
Teffia quickly found herself in the thick of Wexford Opera House life, interviewing internationally renowned directors and performers.
‘It’s so interesting to meet so many different people. My first main job was to interview Renaud Doucet, the French director of Il bravo so I had to do a blog post about him and come up with the questions. He said it went really well and even said: ‘Oh Bravo!’
Teffia is working at the National Opera House until November 16 and is looking forward to seeing the operas come alive on stage.