After graduating from Penn State last May, Sara Joy Lebowitz wasn't sure what she was going to do. Nine months later she is organizing events at a major arts center.

Her duties as intern at the The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., which include creating the internal web site, answering phones and working as a production assistant may not seem glamorous, but they have helped begin her career in arts administration.

Five years ago, Lebowitz probably wouldn't have seen herself at The Kennedy Center because at the time she was a math major. But due to her interest in the arts, which began in the seventh grade, she decided to major in marketing and minor in theatre, placing her in the job market for something that required creativity, organization and personality.

Her role as production assistant for Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which is being performed in the Opera House of The Kennedy Center until May 13, demanded these qualities.

In a position she describes as "meet and greet," Lebowitz knows the ins and outs, such as seating and technical lighting, of all six theatres.

These theatres are then rented out for performances ranging from the National Symphony Orchestra to jazz and holiday festivals.

The theatres are decorated specifically for the intended type of performance.

The Opera House where shows like Beauty and the Beast are performed seats about 2,300 and is decorated in gold and red.

The Theater Lab, with experimental style, three-side seating accommodates 400, usually entertaining children with shows like Peter Pan.

"It's really awe-inspiring," Lebowitz said of the theatres. "I remember coming when I was in junior high and high school. There's a lot of grandeur, it takes your breath away."

If Lebowitz hadn't been persistent, she probably wouldn't have landed an internship at The Kennedy Center.

She was rejected twice before, but this time was chosen as one of the 33 interns, out of 700 applicants for the winter/spring session.

The internships aren't just for theatre majors.

Interns range in major from art to biochemistry to international business, said Amanda Perry, internship coordinator.

"It's an up and coming field, so opportunities exist to increase skills. We find a lot of students have some type of musical background, whether it's playing the piano or taking dance lessons as a child."

One of the high points during Lebowitz's internship was listening to Placido Domingo with the other interns.

Applications are still being accepted for the fall session, which runs from September to December.

Interns must have completed two years of college courses, and internships can be used for college credit. Interns are awarded stipends, which will be increased to $800 a month, due to a donation of $50 million last February.

Information about internships at The Kennedy Center can be found at the center's web site (www.kennedy-center.org).

Lebowitz will complete her internship at The Kennedy Center on May 11 and begin working as an administrative assistant at Wolf Trap Foundation, a summer theatre located twenty minutes outside of the Washington area.