Photo by Graham Cullen Jen Dobbins is the facility manager at the Cultural Arts Center of Frederick County. Purchase this photo

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in dance from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in 2006. During her schooling, Dobbins had an internship with the Jose Limone Dance Foundation and studied in California for two weeks.

"It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities," she said.

In 2007, she delved into the dance and technology program. She choreographed and danced a solo with a briefcase. Each time Dobbins opened the case, a camera turned on, and it projected an image on a large screen behind her.

"It was really cool, because every time I opened the briefcase (for) the first time, everyone would exclaim, 'Oh!'"

Before college, she freelanced for the Library of Congress and Discovery Theater, The Smithsonian Associates in Washington. Her jobs involved lighting design.

"Every meeting at the Library of Congress has to be recorded and documented," she said.

With her experience on and off the stage, Dobbins works as a team member on several theater productions every year. But her full-time job has a whole new set of responsibilities.

"Performing on stage in front of people isn't an issue for me," she said. "But being a facility manager, and when the air conditioning quits when it's a full house -- that has been more challenging for me than anything. Whenever I'm faced with stuff that I find challenging, I try to learn as much about it as possible."

She takes notes, asks questions and learns how to do something from the experts she meets. Her advice to others wanting to expand their knowledge and skills: "Just start. It doesn't matter where you start -- just start. It will all flesh itself out."