Ali assisted with the costume changes backstage, that need to be quick.
Ms Williams approached UCOL fashion and textile lecturer Stephanie West looking for fashion students to volunteer on the production. It was Ali's first experience working backstage at a show.
"It was really fun. I want to get into costume design after I've finished studying my degree, so this was a good experience to see how it all works," said the textile and fashion design major.
Ali says a key lesson was that in that kind of environment you need to work fast and communicate well with everyone around you.
"I learned a lot about how to put on costumes and work with people. I can be a bit shy, so it was good to be pushed into having to talk to people."
She has another interning role organised, sewing costumes for School Dance at Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North starting mid-March.
UCOL head of school - creative industries Rachel Hoskin said Ali's involvement with the shows "are good examples of the kinds of opportunities available to UCOL students and show how industries value UCOL's creative courses.
"Through our industry connections, our students get all sorts of great opportunities to gain work experience and develop their skills outside of the classroom. It's great to see Ali making the most of these opportunities and being able to transfer her skills from the classroom to such a demanding environment."
UCOL's Bachelor of Design and Arts is a three-year programme in Whanganui and is part of the Whanganui School of Design. Students can major in visual arts, textile/fashion design or graphic design.
