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Jonathan Kwock ’23 grew up with some of the Midwest’s best regional musical houses in his own backyard. Surrounded by theater and the arts, he spent time at notable venues like STAGES St. Louis and The Muny, even performing with Muny Teens.

When it was time to search for a college program, he chose Northwestern’s BS in Theatre with a Certificate in Musical Theatre. “Instead of being a conservatory, it was a well-rounded experience that lets you choose your path in terms of what you want to specialize in,” he explains. 

Once he was equipped with his undergraduate degree, he worked for regional houses in Chicago for a few years before exploring career opportunities beyond the Windy City. He returned to St. Louis to work for STAGES St. Louis, where he earned his Equity card before moving to New York.  

“It was so interesting to see how Midwestern markets operate compared to New York markets, not only in terms of the kinds of talents and actors, but also in terms of the lifestyles,” he says. “The Chicago art scene is very much homegrown and local. You can have your house, your family, your life in Chicago, and your work in theatre. In New York, you’re really focused solely on your theatre job.” 

During his time in the Big Apple, Kwock joined Disney Cruise Line as a Mainstage performer and dance captain. His first contract was with Disney Dream, and he worked for the cruise line for six years until the pandemic shut the industry down abruptly.   

At that point, he had no choice but to rethink his path—which led him to Northwestern’s MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises program. With the industry in turmoil, he knew he would need higher-level credentials to complement his undergraduate degree. He also wanted to build skills in arts administration and leadership.  

A fellow Disney Cruise Line cast member was enrolled in the graduate program, and it sounded like a good match for Kwock as well. He was looking for a flexible education experience similar to what his musical theatre program provided: A build-your-own degree with built-in customizability.  

“This is like the appetizer platter of business and art,” he says. “You get a fast, intense focus on several topics. I see so many of these things we talk about being reflected in news articles I’m reading, podcasts I’m listening to, or experiences I’m hearing about from my friends in the industry. The program has been fascinating.” 

He now has an expanded view of creative industries, thanks to Clinical Assistant Professor Allison Henry’s Business Models class. “It allowed us to stretch and think creatively about different industries, from fashion and film to sports and theater, all through the lens of developing the business.” 

And while math isn’t high on his list of favorite subjects, Kwock says he also enjoyed Economics of Creative Enterprises, led by Cory Sandrock, adjunct professor. “He’s exceptional at speaking to artists about something that may be foreign to us. He met us where we were.” 

This summer, Kwock worked at the Alhambra Theatre in Jacksonville, FL, assisting the vice president of production and production manager for Beauty and the Beast. With the role’s focus on stage management, casting, and company management, it was a nice complement to his production experiences.  

“I got a holistic view of theatre management plus that one-on-one time with the top dogs of the theater,” he explains. “The whole point of our capstone project is to give us that experiential learning, and I’m definitely getting that. We’re gaining the chance to apply theory and practical knowledge that will benefit us in our first jobs after the program.” 

Once he has his master’s degree, Kwock says his goal is to return to Disney Cruise Line—eventually becoming a production manager and producer. “I love the company, and I love the environment. There’s something special about the magic and joy it brings so many people. You get the freedom to work with gigantic budgets and the best of the best in the industry,” he says. “The works you create have longevity. There’s a sort of permanence and importance to the work that is very unique. I can’t wait to return to that.”