Finding Her Spotlight Behind the Scenes: Wendy Maddox’s Intern Journey at ASU Gammage
By the time Wendy Maddox arrived at Arizona State University, she thought she had her future mapped out.
A California native with experience in broadcast television, she enrolled at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University (ASU) with plans to pursue journalism. But as college often does, ASU quickly opened doors she hadn’t expected.
“I really wanted to be in journalism because I spent all my middle school and high school years in a broadcast TV program, through school” Maddox shared. “But it was really my senior year of high school, when I started covering football games and creating social media content, that sparked my interest in communications and marketing.”
For Maddox, choosing ASU was about more than location—it was about possibility. Drawn to the nationally recognized Cronkite program, she wanted a school that would challenge her and provide real-world opportunities. Touring the facilities ultimately solidified her decision.
“Seeing the scale of Cronkite just proved that this is really where I wanted to be,” she said.
Though she began her academic journey in journalism, Maddox soon found herself pulled toward digital storytelling, branding and audience engagement. By her sophomore year, she had shifted her coursework toward public relations and digital marketing.
Then came ASU Gammage.
At the Cronkite internship fair, the opportunity to intern with the Tempe theater immediately stood out. As a lifelong lover of theater who began performing at just eight years old, Maddox had always carried a deep appreciation for the stage—even after stepping away from acting herself.
“I have such a love for theater,” she said. “Being able to work in that industry is such a dream. It’s like combining both my interests.”
Maddox joined the ASU Gammage marketing team in January 2024.
Over the next two and a half years, she immersed herself in nearly every aspect of the department’s work. From social media content creation and video editing to event coverage, press nights and promotional campaigns, Maddox embraced every opportunity that came her way.
“I felt very involved in all aspects,” she said. “That made my experience really well-rounded.”
One of Maddox’s greatest accomplishments during her time at ASU Gammage? The Student Rush campaign.
The campaign was designed to help students access Broadway performances at an affordable price through student-exclusive discounted tickets, became one of her signature projects. Maddox helped create the campaign’s video reel and supporting social content, and the results were immediately rewarding.
“I’m really proud of the Student Rush campaign,” she said. “It was something that I was really passionate about.”
What made the campaign especially meaningful was its impact. Maddox recognized that many students—including herself when she first started—weren’t aware the program existed. Through her work, she helped bridge that gap and expand awareness among her peers.
“I love seeing the template that I made still being used,” she said. “And I love seeing the amount of shares and comments from students asking questions about it.”
Like many students entering their first professional role, Maddox faced challenges along the way. One of the biggest? Phone calls for grassroots promotional efforts.
“I was so scared. That was my number one fear,” she admitted with a laugh, recalling the early days of calling organizations for flyer drop-offs.
Over time, however, what once felt intimidating became second nature.
“I’ve become more confident within myself,” she said. “I don’t feel like any task is too daunting.”
That growth extended beyond logistics. Maddox also learned how to balance creativity with brand standards.
“Sometimes I need to go back to the basics,” she said. “Remember the ground rules before I get too crazy.”
It’s a lesson she knows will stay with her throughout her career.
Working at ASU Gammage deepened Maddox’s already strong love for the performing arts.
“Live theater is an experience like no other,” she said. “It’s something a movie can never replicate.”
Among the many productions she experienced during her internship, a few stand out.
THE KITE RUNNER left a particularly lasting impression, especially as one of the first shows she actively helped promote.
“The story is so powerful and so beautiful to see on stage,” she said.
She also fondly recalled productions like CLUE and SIX, each memorable for their energy, storytelling and theatrical magic.
Beyond the performances themselves, Maddox gained a greater appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that makes every show possible.
“It makes it even more magical,” she said.
As graduation approaches, Maddox is preparing for her next chapter: a move back home to San Diego and the start of her career in marketing, ideally in the entertainment industry.
“In five years, I see myself as a marketing manager or marketing director in the entertainment industry,” she said. “Entertainment is really where I belong.”
And her time at ASU Gammage helped confirm that.
“This internship really cemented that this is where I want to be,” she said.
When asked what she hopes people remember about her time as an ASU Gammage intern, Maddox’s answer was simple and heartfelt.
“I hope they know that I cared,” she shared as she started to tear up reflecting on her time. “That I was really passionate about the work I did.”
That passion is evident in every project she touched, every challenge she overcame and every opportunity she said yes to.
For future interns, her advice is equally clear:
“Never say no. Take advantage of every experience you are given.”
And perhaps her most fitting reflection of all:
“I never thought I could have this much fun with a job.”
