F&M Stories

As the nation tuned into Super Bowl LVII, Franklin & Marshall College alum Kristin Schlossman '13 and her colleagues were more concerned with what hovered above the stadium's 50-yard line.

Schlossman is senior manager of inclusive culture at TAIT, the Lancaster-based production company behind Rihanna's gravity-defying halftime performance.

"There is no typical day on the job for me, or probably for any role at TAIT. The environment is so dynamic, there are always new opportunities to explore," Schlossman said.

TAIT fabricated the flying platforms and camera systems for Rihanna's widely acclaimed performance. The company also created the intricate cityscape in The Weeknd's 2021 Super Bowl performance.

TAIT is headquartered at Rock Lititz, a rehearsal studio space used by the likes of Beyonce, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift. The facility's location just north of Lancaster makes it a popular internship option for F&M students.

While Schlossman didn't have direct involvement with the big game's production, she carries an important presence at TAIT.

"I work to foster an inclusive, safe environment for the incredibly talented professionals around me," Schlossman said.

Below, learn more about Schlossman's path to the entertainment industry.

What path led you from F&M to TAIT?

I double majored in English literature and theatre at F&M. I was very active in the Green Room Theatre Club, the Writers House and Alpha Delta Pi. I learned so much about engaging different ways of thinking and doing at F&M that I think really set me up for success in navigating a fast-paced, high-stakes industry like live entertainment.

I was offered a temporary gig at TAIT after completing my master's degree at Villanova. I had never been to TAIT before, but had heard amazing things about their capabilities from Rob Marenick [resident technical director] in the F&M Theatre Scene Shop (where I did my best to build decks, but it was obviously not my strong suit! Rob supported me anyway).

When the temporary gig was nearly over, I asked if there were more opportunities to learn, and TAIT generously invited me to learn human resources from the ground up. The skills I gained from F&M in critical analysis helped me learn quickly about a field I never expected to go into. My background in storytelling and the complexity of the human experience also has given me the lens to keep the experience and perspective of the team at the forefront of everything I do.

Why did you choose to attend F&M?

I chose F&M because I wanted a rigorous academic environment that made space for personal interests and creativity. I also wanted to have a real relationship with my professors and students across all years — to really be able to dig into complicated subject matter that would give me a holistic understanding of the world. My professors in both English and theatre gave so much of their time and energy to help me grow as a human and a scholar — but I also got that same investment from professors in courses that were way outside my comfort zone.

Any advice for students interested in your career field or industry?

My advice is to embrace the unexpected and seize opportunities to learn from people who experience the world differently than you.