Starlight Seniors—Rachel Yaros

RACHEL YAROS
Senior, Missouri State University
2019 Starlight Bob Rohlf Intern, Marketing

Favorite college experience/memory:
Auditioning for Missouri State University’s A Cappella Co-Ed group, The Hibernotes.

I was an alto and served as Design Chair (making T-shirts, posters and graphics) and Deputy (if you have a problem with a member, you talk to me). My group got amazing opportunities like performing for the University President during sport banquets and at Missouri State’s Fountain Day. We also competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in Springfield and St. Louis. Fun fact: There was one song where I did not sing one legible word, just "oooo’s, ahhhhh’s and ohhhh’s!”

At Missouri State University, Rachel is a proud member of The Hibernotes. The A Cappella group took home first place in this quarterfinals competition of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella..

Rachel at International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella — At Missouri State University, Rachel is a proud member of The Hibernotes. The A Cappella group took home first place in this quarterfinals competition of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella..

What you missed most with school being closed:
Spending one last semester with my roommates.

I am an extrovert, so not being surrounded by people is a bit of a challenge for me. Also, I did not like doing group projects online.

Best experience/memory with Starlight:
I will never forget wrapping up a day of work in the office and hearing the bands warm up outside. Sometimes the amps would make my desk vibrate. We loved standing on the balcony to listen!

I also got to be in several “Broadway Beat” recordings (talk about celebrity status!). I loved staffing the Indoor Series marketing table in the venue before Broadway shows, interacting with audience members and seeing their enthusiasm. Many of my favorite Starlight moments came from seeing my graphic designs on the mega screens, on Spotify ads, and even on venue signage! My growth as a designer is something I will always appreciate. The bonds I made with fellow interns was beyond anything I could have hoped for. Internship brown bag lunches were also very influential, and I have stayed in contact with multiple people I met through these events.

Album covers that Rachel designed for Starlight’s marketing department helped to promote The Wizard of Oz ticket sales on Spotify last summer.

How your summer at Starlight impacted your plans for the future:
Interning at Starlight allowed me to verify that I could handle working in graphic design full-time. This realization allowed me to embrace my career path even more than before my internship.

I also found that working with organizations that create change (nonprofits, social enterprises) makes my work meaningful. I hope to stay connected to this throughout my career because I’ve found it is important to me.

Advice you’d give to college students to make the most of their internships:
If you want an opportunity, work hard and apply yourself. You never know what you are capable of until you have completed a task, so think big!

Never be bored in an internship! By this, I mean, when you having nothing immediately assigned to work on, find something to do. Each hour of your internship experience is time you can spend helping your organization and furthering your skills.

Her Starlight summer internship in 2019 helped Rachel solidify her career path in graphic design and marketing.

How you made the most of the final virtual months of this school senior year:
I spent time enjoying the home I grew up in because I don’t plan to live with my parents for too long after college. I really enjoyed taking my dog on a walk every day and connecting with friends for virtual conversations.

Favorite thing to do (besides studying!) during your COVID-19 quarantine:
I listened to music on my Bose speaker almost every hour of the day. When you are in classes or at work, that isn't always allowed.

I also want to start making multi-layered cakes, probably because I have been watching the Great British Baking Show. (I did win second place in Starlight’s intern bake-off challenge last summer, so you could say I am well on my way!)

Your immediate plans:
I look forward to a summer of personal brand development and continuation of my freelancing business, Rachel Yaros Design. I have been specializing in logo creation and rebranding efforts while also fine-tuning my personal branding. I will keep growing my design skills through online resources and direction from mentors.

I also will be helping my family move and care for my grandparents this summer. Then, after I graduate in December, I hope to land a job doing what I love. I also am excited to join Young Friends of Starlight when I’m back in Kansas City full-time.

Before a Broadway show last summer, Rachel took photos of early arrivers enjoying the Starlight venue.

Hopes/dreams for your future:
As a graphic designer with a foundation in marketing, I hope to lead art direction and strategic thinking in an organization driven to create results for the greater good of the community.

I have aspirations to live in Chicago at some point, write an autobiography eventually, give a TED Talk (once I have something to give a TED Talk about!) and travel.

Favorite musical and why?
To truly answer this question, I want to see more musicals. So far, however, my favorite musical is Aladdin. It was breathtaking on Broadway!

I also have special ties to Aladdin because I was cast in my high school’s production with several of my best friends. A Bronx Tale was my favorite musical at Starlight when I interned.

Words you live by:
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.” -George Bernard Shaw

Among the best things Rachel gained from her 2019 Starlight internship were close friendships with fellow interns. Here she enjoyed the Train concert with development intern Corey Goodburn (left) and education and outreach intern Maria Gnoza (second row, right).

I have aspirations to live in Chicago at some point, write an autobiography eventually, give a TED Talk (once I have something to give a TED Talk about!) and travel.

Rachel beamed when showing off her “Intern of the Week” award at Starlight last summer.

NOTE: The 2020 class of Bob Rohlf Interns begins their summer internships June 1. While it will be a different internship experience this year due to the cancellations of most Broadway shows and concerts, Starlight staff are committed to giving our new interns plenty of hands-on learning opportunities in theatre arts administration.