Actors Theatre of Louisville

Internship Opportunities

How to Apply

Each department at Actors recruits its own interns, so the process for applying for each internship is slightly different. If you are interested in one of the intern positions listed below, send your résumé and a brief statement of interest to the contact person listed.  If the department requires additional materials, it is noted in the description below.

Apprentice/Intern Company Administration

• Excellent opportunity for emerging professionals in arts management, actor training, casting, and/or production management. Assist company directors in producing the Apprentice/Intern Company season and take the lead on producing A/I Company independent projects. Support the recruitment process, including coordinating all auditions for the Apprentice Company (may include some travel). Assist in the organization of day-to-day Company activities.
• Internships Offered: Full Season. No summer internships available.
• Application Deadline: March 30, 2012 for the 2012-2013 season.
• Materials Required: Please include a resume, cover letter and two letters of recommendation.
• Apply To: Amy Attaway, Associate Director, Apprentice/Intern Company.

Arts Administration

• This intern will assist the Company Manager, who is responsible for arranging travel and housing for all guest artists and attending to health and safety issues and the general well-being of guest and resident employees of Actors Theatre. The intern develops a personal relationship with actors, directors, designers and resident theatre staff by providing support to the Company Manager. The outcome of this internship is professional knowledge of union rules, regulations and the costumer services that protect the artists while away from home. The intern gains excellent organization and interpersonal communication skills as well as proficiency in managing multiple projects and deadlines, planning and preparing events, working with Excel spread sheets, forms and budgets.
• Internships Offered: Full season, partial season, and summer.
• Application Deadline: May 1 for the 2012-2013 season.
• Materials Required: Please send a resume and cover letter.
• Apply To: Dot King, Company Manager

Costumes

• This internship is an excellent opportunity to explore all facets of the costume production process in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Interns will assist with costume construction, crafts, and wardrobe. Interested interns may also assist guest and staff costume and wig designers.
• Internships Offered: Full season, partial season. No summer internships available.
• Application Deadline: May 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 season.
• Materials Required: Please send a resume and cover letter.
• Apply to: Kristopher Castle, Costume Shop Manager.

Community Relations & Festival Management

• This position is an excellent opportunity for an emerging professional in event management and/or community and public relations. Develop relationships with a wide variety of local, regional and national community groups. Assist in the planning and execution of community events both in and around the theatre. Produce publications and flyers, coordinate exhibits and merchandise displays as well as manage volunteers. Assist in the planning and execution of one of the American theatre’s most prestigious new play events through registration coordination, onsite event hospitality and travel/lodging coordination.
• Internships Offered: Full season. No summer internships available.
• Application Deadline: May 20, 2012 for the 2012-2013 season.
• Materials Required: Valid driver’s license required. All candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and two letters of recommendation.
• Apply To: Stephanie Spalding, Festival and Events Manager.

Development

• Exciting opportunity to gain invaluable fundraising skills from a top Louisville nonprofit organization that is also a leader in the field. Assist the entire development staff with all aspects relating to partner, donor and prospect relationships, including mailings, special events and more. Work with donors in all markets of fundraising, including individuals, corporations, foundations and government. Learn Raiser’s Edge software to assist with general donor database maintenance, integrating information from Raiser’s Edge and Excel to analyze existing donor patterns and develop new reports to manage prospect tracking. Support the planning and coordination of a major yearly fundraising event attended by over 750 guests. Work in conjunction with marketing department to implement benefits to corporate donors and assist with special events and Humana Festival weekends.
• Internships Offered: Full season only.
• Application Deadline:  April 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 season.
• Materials Required: Please include a résumé, cover letter and two letters of recommendation.
• Apply To: Gretchen Abrahamsen in the Development office.

Directing

• Directing interns will work directly with and receive mentorship and training from Artistic Director Les Waters.  Additionally, interns will observe some of the finest directors in the country while assisting on 3 or more mainstage shows, including at least one Humana Festival production. Interns are also guaranteed several directing opportunities (including ensemble-devised pieces, solo performance pieces, and ten-minute plays) with the Acting Apprentice Company. Note that this internship is equal parts observation and directing.  At least one year of experience beyond an undergraduate degree required.
• Internships Offered: Full-season only. No summer internships available.
• Application deadline: March 30, 2012 for the 2012-2013 Season.
• Materials Required: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and two letters of recommendation.
• Apply to Michael Legg, Director, Apprentice/Intern Company.

Dramaturgy/Literary Management

• Participate in all administrative and artistic aspects of one of the busiest Literary Departments in the country. Conduct research for classical and premiere productions, attend rehearsals, write articles for newsletters and programs and assist on various publication projects. Help evaluate and write reports on submissions of new plays, assist with production dramaturgy and participate in administration of the ten-minute play contest and playwriting workshops. Work in key collaborative positions on Apprentice/Intern Company productions.
• Internships Offered: Full-season.
• Application deadline: March 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 Season.
• Materials Required: Please note that in addition to the other materials required for an Actors Theatre internship application, prospective dramaturgy interns should include two letters of recommendation and a ten-page critical writing sample.  The sample can be a paper for a Humanities course or a piece written in response to a performance; you may also submit several different samples equaling ten pages.  (Please do not send creative writing or research papers that simply collect other sources; writing that illustrates your ability to think critically and synthesize ideas will be most useful to us.)   For more information, contact Amy directly.
• Apply to Amy Wegener, Literary Director.

Education/Teaching Artist

• SEASON INTERNSHIP: Join Actors Theatre as an Education/Teaching Artist Intern and contribute to creating over 30,000 artistic and learning experiences for young people annually.  Serve as an artistic/education ambassador throughout our region’s public and private schools, conducting preshow workshops and playwriting residencies. Develop lesson plans, research and write study guides, and collaborate with numerous departments at Actors Theatre.  Additionally, help organize, host and produce the Humana Festival College Days Weekend and the New Voices Young Playwrights Festival. Reliable car is a must. In addition to the intern grant, mileage reimbursement and a small teaching artist stipend are provided.  For further information regarding Education at Actors, please visit the Education page.
• SUMMER INTERNSHIP: The summer internship is a part-time experience (10 – 15 hours per week) lasting two months.  Summer interns primarily research and write study guides and assist with season preparation.  Teaching experience is not typically offered in the summer.  The summer education internship is ideal for undergraduate students with a previous connection to the Louisville area.
• Internships Offered: Full Season, Summer
• Application Deadline: Season: April 1, with interviews starting March 1.  Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early. We will also conduct in-person interviews during the Humana Festival College Days Weekend.  Summer: no deadline (positions fill early).
• Materials Required:  Please include a letter of introduction outlining your goals for the internship; a résumé; a lesson plan (ideally integrating theatre with another core subject) and a writing sample.  Your writing sample can be critical or journalistic.  We’re interested in your ability to communicate original ideas in a clear way.  See our Play Guides for additional reference.  In addition, include two letters of recommendation from references who can speak to your teaching experience or experience working with young people.  References should include contact information. Feel free to contact us if you have questions regarding any of these items.
• Apply to Steven Rahe, Director of Education.

Lighting/Electrics

• Mount and run approximately 25 productions in three spaces. Receive experience and training by working in the support of designs for all productions. Develop electrician skills in a high-intensity environment. Opportunities exist to run performances as light board operator and followspot operator.
• Internships Offered: Full season, partial season. No summer internships available.
• Application Deadline: No application deadline.
• Materials Required: Please include a résumé and one letter of recommendation.
• Apply To: Nick Dent, Lighting Supervisor.

Marketing, Public Relations and Graphic Design

• Marketing Internship Learn the process and implementation of promoting a show from brainstorming ideas to the full execution of projects.  Assist with sales of season tickets, single tickets and group tickets through methods including special events, on-site promotions, e-marketing and more. Get familiar with marketing vocabulary and learn how to track sales. You will leave with a solid foundation of how to market for a nonprofit organization.
• Public Relations Internship Assist with public relations and media including pitching stories to local and national media; interview coordination for radio, television and print publications; writing press releases; attending photo and video calls and more. Learn public relations strategies involving outreach efforts, community relations and social media. You will leave with an in depth understanding of what it takes to be a lucrative public relations manager.
• Graphic Design Internship Assist with creation of graphic materials to support the needs of the organization, including design for Apprentice/Intern Company projects, performances, education materials and more. From design concept to coordination with the printer, learn about creation of ads, programs, displays, signage and promotional pieces. You will leave with a diverse and extensive portfolio.
• Audience Development and Festival Management Internship This position is an excellent opportunity for an emerging professional in event management and/or community relations. Develop relationships with a wide variety of local, regional and national community groups. Identify and cultivate new groups to involve in the theatre as well as the methods to cultivate them. Assist in the planning and execution of community events both in and around the theatre. Produce publications and flyers, coordinate exhibits and merchandise displays as well as manage volunteers. Assist in the planning and execution of one of the American theatre’s most prestigious new play events through registration coordination, onsite event hospitality and travel/lodging coordination.
• Internships Offered: Summer and Full Season. Extended internships (summer through season) may also be available.
• Application deadline: March 31, 2012 for the 2012 summer internship; May 31 for the 2012-2013 season.
• Materials Required: All candidates should provide a resume, cover letter and two letters of recommendation. Marketing and Public Relations Intern candidates should provide writing samples and/or marketing or public relations project samples. Graphic Design Intern candidates should provide samples from a graphic design or fine art portfolio or graphic project samples.
• Apply To: Sarah R. Rowan, Marketing & Sales Manager.

Production Management

• This internship is perfect for an emerging professional with interest and experience in stage management, technical direction, and production management.  The intern works closely with the Production Management Office on production documentation, scheduling, and personnel.  After training throughout the season, the intern will have the opportunity to production manage several shows in the Apprentice/Intern Company season.  Candidates should have strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent professional ethics with an emphasis on discretion, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and a high skill level in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Internships Offered: Full Season only.  No summer internships available.
• Application Deadline: TBD
• Materials required: Please submit a résumé and cover letter.
• Apply to: Kathleen Kronauer, Production Manager.

Properties

• Work with resident prop designers and artisans on a variety of projects including furniture construction and finishing, welding, reupholstering and soft goods, crafts, painting, paper goods, stock organization and research. Portfolio-building opportunities to design Apprentice/Intern Company productions throughout the season.
• Internships Offered: Full season, partial season. No summer internships available.
• Application Deadline: No application deadline.
• Materials Required: Please include a résumé and cover letter.
• Apply To: Mark Walston, Properties Director.

Scenic Artistry

• Learn about scenic painting techniques and materials. Assist the Scenic Charge or Artist in painting and any other processes to achieve a finished product for each play. Work with resident designers and guest artists on multiple projects.
• Internships Offered: Full season, partial season. No summer internships available.
• Application Deadline: No application deadline.
• Materials Required: Please include a résumé and cover letter.
• Apply To: Kieren Wathen, Scenic Charge

Sets

• Work closely with the staff carpenters and scenic artists at this major regional theatre. Learn to manage multiple shows in rotating rep, research and develop special projects in conjunction with technical management, and construct precision scenery in accordance with design drawings. Learn to build traveling scenery and repertory scenery during the world-renowned Humana Festival of New American Plays. Assist in the development, installation and maintenance of scenery while learning to resolve challenges in the mechanical and structural aspects of moving scenery and motion control
• Internships Offered: Full season, partial season. No summer internships available.
• Application Deadline: No application deadline
• Materials Required: Please include a résumé and cover letter.
• Apply To: Jason Grant, Technical Director.

Stage Management

• Work side by side with Equity stage managers, directors, and actors. Be involved in the entire rehearsal and performance process for mainstage productions. Work with visiting companies and directors. Serve as production stage manager for at least one Apprentice/Intern production. Stage Management Interns will join Equity Membership Candidacy program during the season. Questions can be directed to Paul Holmes, or by phone at 502-584-1265 x3029.
• Internships Offered: Full Season only. No summer internships available.
• Application Deadline: April 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 season.
• Materials Required: Please include a résumé, cover letter, and 2 letters of recommendation.
• Apply To: Paul Holmes, Production Stage Manager.