Summer Theatre Internships: A Comprehensive Guide
For aspiring theatre professionals, summer internships offer invaluable opportunities to gain practical experience, build networks, and explore potential career paths. These immersive programs provide hands-on training in various aspects of theatre production and administration, setting the stage for future success in the industry. This article explores the diverse landscape of summer theatre internships, highlighting opportunities with organizations like The Broadway League, Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC), and various summer stock theatres across the United States.
The Broadway League Internship Program
The Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry, offers a year-round internship program with positions available in the fall, spring, and summer. These part-time internships, ranging from 16 to 24 hours per week, provide interns with valuable experience working closely with League staff members. While remote or hybrid internships are not offered, the League provides flexible hours within business hours. Interns may have the opportunity to attend meetings, seminars, and conferences, further enhancing their industry knowledge.
The Broadway League is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and encourages individuals who are strongly committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to apply. Internships are available in various departments, including:
- Audience Engagement: Supporting Broadway industry education and community engagement programs to ensure a future audience for live theatre.
- Marketing: Planning and managing programs, partnerships, and activations to promote the current Broadway season.
- Research: Compiling statistical and historical information for Broadway and touring Broadway productions, managing the Internet Broadway Database (IBDB), and collecting data on audience demographics and the industry's economic impact.
It is important to note that The Broadway League does not offer internships in performance or creative jobs such as acting, casting, directing, or theatrical design. However, individuals with experience in these areas are still encouraged to apply if they have an interest in learning more about performing arts administrative jobs such as producing, management, marketing, public relations, and audience engagement.
Interns at The Broadway League are paid New York State minimum wage, which is $16.50 per hour as of January 1, 2025. The League also distributes resumes of internship candidates to its members for relevant positions in their offices.
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Careers.Broadway, a resource created and managed by The Broadway League, provides information and opportunities related to finding careers in the Broadway industry. The High School Broadway Shadowing Program, in partnership with the New York City Department of Education, introduces NYC public high school students from diverse backgrounds to non-performance career opportunities in the theatre.
Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) Trainee Programs
Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) offers a variety of trainee programs that provide hands-on experience in different aspects of theatre administration and production. These programs are designed to provide trainees with a broad overview of the industry and to help them develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen career paths.
- General Management: The Company Management Trainee assists the company managers with drafting and executing actor contracts, coordinating show/actor-related travel needs, completing union reports, and planning special events. This trainee also works closely with box office staffs, handling house seat orders and arranging Tony Voter tickets. MTC seeks candidates who strive to strengthen their communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask. Previous Company Management interns or trainees have gone on to be Assistant Company Managers on and off-Broadway and to positions in the management departments of various theatre companies.
- Learning and Community Engagement: The Learning and Community Engagement Trainee coordinates the day-to-day operations of TheatreLink, a distance learning theatre-making project connecting high school students across the country and internationally. This trainee also assists with programs such as the Family Matinee, career development offerings, and special community events. MTC seeks naturally curious individuals who are highly organized, attentive, independent, and proactive early career administrators.
- Literary: The Literary Trainee participates in the daily operations of a high-speed literary office, reading and evaluating scripts, compiling daily digests of theatre news and reviews, maintaining MTC’s play submissions database, attending weekly department meetings, and assisting with MTC play readings. MTC seeks highly organized, motivated, passionate theatre lovers with a keen interest in theatre administration and new play development, and with strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
- Marketing: The Marketing Trainee assists with creating bespoke office signage, staffing opening nights and press events, pulling CRM lists, and helping maintain MTC’s 30 Under 35 program. MTC seeks passionate, creative, versatile individuals with a can-do attitude and excellent communication skills, including copywriting.
- Production Management: The Production Management Trainee supports the Production Management team, production staff, and the overall needs of MTC. This trainee is heavily involved in creating and maintaining schedules and spreadsheets, processing production-related invoices and payroll, assisting with the everyday needs of running a production, and coordinating the needs of designers. MTC seeks detail-oriented, curious, self-motivated individuals with excellent organizational and critical thinking skills.
- Special Events: The Special Events Trainee assists the Director of Special Events and Special Events Assistant, gaining valuable, real-world experience. MTC seeks an enthusiastic, open-minded, and detail-oriented team-player with excellent customer service skills, an ability to problem solve, and a positive attitude.
Summer Stock Theatres and Festivals
Summer stock theatres and theatre festivals offer a wide range of internship opportunities for students and emerging professionals. These programs provide immersive experiences in various aspects of theatre production, from performance to technical theatre to administration.
Summer stock theatres are theatres that are only open during the summer, and historically used stock sets, costumes, props, etc. Working at a summer stock theatre is a great way for students to utilize their schooling, learn from industry professionals, and earn some cash for the summer. The importance of summer stock work as experience and training for both undergraduate and graduate students cannot be overemphasized. Not only do you get to do the work you've been studying and training for, but you get to meet other professionals and sometimes work with some of the bigger names in the live entertainment world.
Here are some examples of summer theatre internship opportunities:
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- Acting Internships: Acting interns perform in main stage productions and assist in theatre education programs. They may also participate in running crew, box office, load-in and strike, and marketing.
- Directing/Education Internships: Directing/education interns serve as assistant directors for main stage musicals and assist with education programs.
- Music Directing Internships: Music directing interns assist the musical director on main stage productions, music direct in educational programs, and may play keyboard in the show orchestra.
- Stage Management Internships: Stage manager interns work closely with production stage managers on main stage productions and education programs.
- Costumes/Wardrobe Internships: Costumes/wardrobe interns assist the costume designer/supervisor with pulling, measuring, building, fitting, altering, and maintaining costumes and wigs. They also have run crew responsibilities.
- Technical Theatre Internships: Technical interns work closely with the production manager, technical director, designers, and stagehands and have run positions for all shows.
- Theatre Administration Internships: Administrative interns work with the company manager, box office manager, and administrative staff in areas such as marketing, social media, company management, box office, and house management.
- Audience Services Internships: Audience Services Interns work in the Box Office, Concessions, and House Management, ensuring audiences have an exceptional festival experience.
- Company Management Internships: Company Management Interns assist the Company Manager in upholding CATF’s passion for radical hospitality.
- Development Internships: Development Interns assist the Director of Development with customer service, donor communication, record keeping, and event preparation.
- Production Management Internships: Production Management Interns work closely with the Production Manager and Associate Production Manager to plan and schedule all Production Department work calls and assist with budget tracking.
- Electrics Internships: Electrics Interns assist in the realization of the lighting designs in all venues, including maintenance and hanging/focusing of lights, and may serve as a board operator during tech.
- Marketing & Communications Internships: Marketing & Communications Interns work with the Director of Marketing & Communications to create and execute strategic marketing plans.
- Props Internships: Props Interns assist Props Staff with the fabrication of props for all productions.
- Scenic Art Internships: Scenic Art Interns work with the Scenic Artists to execute the scenic techniques and treatments for all shows.
- Sound Internships: Sound Interns assist in the realization of the sound design for all venues, including system setups, maintenance, and operating sound during performances.
- Design Assistant Internships: Design Assistant positions are available in Costumes, Electrics, Scene Design, and Sound, providing focused opportunities to assist with design processes and execution.
Finding and Applying for Summer Theatre Internships
Finding the right summer theatre internship requires research and preparation. Here are some tips for identifying and applying for these opportunities:
- Online Resources: Utilize online resources such as Careers.Broadway, Playbill.com, and Backstage.com to search for internship listings.
- Theatre Websites: Visit the websites of individual theatres and theatre festivals to check for internship opportunities. Look for pages with titles like "Work With Us," "Auditions," "Opportunities," or "About Us."
- Networking: Attend theatre conferences and workshops to network with industry professionals and learn about potential internship opportunities.
- Application Materials: Prepare a professional resume and cover letter that highlight your skills, experience, and passion for theatre.
- Letters of Recommendation: Obtain letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or former employers who can attest to your abilities and work ethic.
- Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and submit your materials on time.
- Audition/Portfolio: Follow the instructions provided by the theatre for any audition or portfolio requirements.
The Value of Summer Theatre Internships
Summer theatre internships offer numerous benefits for aspiring theatre professionals:
- Practical Experience: Interns gain hands-on experience in various aspects of theatre production and administration.
- Skill Development: Internships provide opportunities to develop and refine essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
- Networking: Interns build relationships with industry professionals, which can lead to future job opportunities.
- Career Exploration: Internships allow individuals to explore different career paths within the theatre industry and determine their areas of interest.
- Resume Building: A summer theatre internship is a valuable addition to a resume, demonstrating a commitment to the industry and providing evidence of practical experience.
- Personal Growth: Internships can foster personal growth by challenging individuals to step outside of their comfort zones and develop their confidence and independence.
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