When Mechanical Engineering major and Theatre Arts minor Eric Stewart first arrived at the University of Arizona, he wasn’t sure how his love for theatre would fit into a technically focused degree. A lifelong performer who grew up in La Mesa, California, immersed in musical theatre, Eric soon discovered that the Theatre Arts minor offered by the School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) provided more than an artistic outlet – it provided skills in collaboration, creative problem-solving, and design thinking that directly enhanced his work as an engineer.
That combination of technical precision and artistic imagination opened unexpected doors, including a coveted internship with Walt Disney Imagineering that perfectly blended both worlds. Now in his final semester, Eric reflects on how the hands-on experiences, mentorship, and creative environment within TFTV have shaped his path and shown just how versatile – and valuable – the Theatre Arts minor can be for students across all fields.
You’ve always been immersed in theatre, even before coming to the University of Arizona. How did your background in musical theatre and your interest in engineering come together to shape your academic path?
When I started musical theatre as a child, I was solely a performer, but as I got older, I had the amazing opportunity to work backstage. Through that experience, I eventually found my way into helping with everything behind the scenes – from stage managing shows and running rehearsals to working as a crew member and building sets. Once I was able to help build sets, my connection between engineering and theatre really began to soar! It allowed me to use my critical thinking skills and engineering mindset to bring theatrical worlds to life. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to turn that connection into a career, which ultimately led me to pursue a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Theatre Arts.
You’ve said that your internship with Walt Disney Imagineering was the perfect blend of your major and minor. Can you describe what the application experience was like and how your theatre training helped you stand out?
The application experience was a little out of the ordinary for me. I had applied to more than 20 different Imagineering internships and kept receiving automated responses saying I hadn’t been selected for an interview or that they were moving forward with other candidates. But out of the blue, I got an email from a Disney recruiter asking if I’d be interested in applying for an internship that hadn’t yet been posted online. They said that they had read my resume and thought I’d be a great fit for the role. Once the posting went live, I applied immediately, did a Zoom interview with my future boss and someone currently in the position, and about a week later, I got a phone call congratulating me on receiving an offer.
My theatre training really helped me stand out because, in a sense, attractions in theme parks are like more permanent versions of theatre stages. My background in theatre allows me to visualize the final experience that the Imagineers are looking to create, think on my feet, and come up with creative solutions to challenges – skills I had developed through similar problem-solving in theatre.
Classes in Stagecraft – in which students learn the basic principles of the scenic process including construction and use of materials, shop techniques and practices – along with mentorship from faculty, seem to have played a big role in your journey. What have you learned from working hands-on in the scene shop and from your theatre professors?
From working hands-on in the TFTV scene shop, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of what goes into the design process. It’s also made me more mindful of the people who will fabricate, assemble, or maintain whatever I design in the future. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the mentorship I’ve received in the shop. The leadership there pushed me to reach levels of excellence I never thought possible. Faculty Technical Director Daniel Staggs and Scenic Shop Manager James Pack encouraged me to keep expanding my abilities, helping me grow into a better carpenter, leader, welder, and overall, a better person. Their mentorship has given me the confidence to take on new challenges and has prepared me to enter the entertainment industry after graduation.
You’ve already secured your next step – a letter of offer from Disney to undertake a Special Effects Design Internship after you graduate. Looking ahead, how do you see your combination of Mechanical Engineering and Theatre continuing to shape your career in entertainment and themed design?
Having the combination of Mechanical Engineering and Theatre Arts has already opened many unique doors. I feel incredibly fortunate to be taking my skills to Disney after graduation, where I can use this unexpected blend of studies to bring a new level of technological insight into the creative space. I’m not only equipped with the skills of a theatre technical director but also those of a mechanical engineer — both highly valued in the entertainment industry. Even if Disney doesn’t end up being my final destination, I know I can always return to the theatre world and build sets like I did when I first fell in love with the craft. I’m truly grateful for the background I have because it makes me feel that no door I set my sights on is out of reach.