Ella McCausland
I grew up on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but have spent my young adult life reaching well beyond it. I completed my degree in Visual Studies at Temple University in 2024, culminating in a video installation and research thesis on the linguistic, emotional, and political dimensions of the public apology. Since graduating, I have managed the studio for a community arts nonprofit housed in a historic Philadelphia bank building, co-written and performed a puppet show with close friends in Brooklyn, returned to Temple University Rome as a program assistant, and hiked the southern coast of Sweden. I am drawn to the edges of disciplines, where visual art meets language, where making meets meaning, where community and creativity feed each other. I am looking forward to supporting the fellows at Civitella and learning from the remarkable community that gathers there in the Umbrian hills.
Olivia Bakker
I grew up in Oslo, Norway, in a creative family where theatre and literature has always been a big part of my everyday life. I’m currently studying comparative literature in university, and hosting my own theatre podcast about the future of theatre. I had the joy of being a Civitella intern for the first half of the 2025 season, and it’s an honour to be invited back for the second half of the season this year. I’m looking forward to meeting the brilliant artists, and contributing to making Civitella the welcoming, safe and inspiring place that it is. The internship is a challenging and rewarding experience, and I can’t wait to be back in Umbria, surrounded by wonderful people and beautiful nature and art.