An internship is an opportunity to integrate career-related experience into an undergraduate education by participating in planned, supervised work. Interns are generally enrolled in a college or university or recently graduated. For particular internships, some experience in the area of specialty is preferred. Computer literacy is required for administrative positions.

THEA 495 Internship in Theatre (4 hours credit)

Applies theoretical concepts learned in the classroom.
Provides track-related career experience in professional theatre or related educational/community theatre.
Requires a mentored and educational component of supervision with on-going reflection and evaluation through meetings that provide the intern and supervisor with a formal framework within which progress can be discussed, goals for future employment can be identified, and areas of improvement explained.
Builds up the relationships the department and university has with employers.

What are the benefits of a theatre internship?

Hands-on career learning, experience that contributes to a professional theatre resume, and networking with theatre professionals and artists.

What types of theatre internships are there?

Track-related internships may include Audio Engineering, Community Program & Education, Costumes, Dramaturgy, Electrics, Production Management, Properties, Scene Shop, Scenic Art, and Stage Management. Related areas may include Arts Administration, Audience Services, Box Office, Business, Development, Marketing & Communication, Management, and Volunteer Services.

When should I do my internship?

Do your internship in the junior or senior year when you can get the most out of the experience. Four credit hours require a minimum of 180 internship hours and organizations may require part-time (20) or full-time (40) hours.

Summer I or II semesters are ideal because of summer stock opportunities, some of which provide housing and a stipend for living experiences.
Fall or Spring semester is an option that schedules the internship as part of a full-time course load; search for a local or regional experience that will accept evening and weekend internship hours.
Students are not advised to compete an internship during a semester off if they need a full-time course load in order to receive financial aid.

How do I find an internship?

It is your responsibility to find and arrange an internship. If the organization requires an application or interview, then notification of acceptance is required before you can submit a proposal for THEA 495. Professional organizations will work with the intern to meet his or her school’s credit requirements; however, the intern is ultimately responsible for those arrangements.

To start your search:

Attend a Department and/or Career Services internship meeting or workshop.

Check the bulletin board outside of FH-203 where information about internships and graduate programs is posted.

Talk to theatre faculty who may know of opportunities or places to look.

Search online listings for professional theatre internships:

Artsearch

Artslynx

Backstage Jobs.com

Playbill.com

SU Career Services Internship Alerts

Search for professional theatres in cities with a rich and diverse theatre life. The following examples offer an internship program:

American Repertory Theatre, Cambridge, MA

Center Stage, Baltimore, MD

Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL

Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, MN

Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, Washington, DC

If a theatre-related internship sparks your interest, look at state and county arts council organizations, public or private schools at all levels, special events companies, and summer camps. Some examples are:

Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation

Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation

How do I plan for THEA 495 Internship in Theatre?

Meet with your department advisor and develop a curriculum plan to meet the prerequisites:

A major in theatre with a declared track of study.
"C" or better completion of core courses (THEA 110, 126, 240, 300, and 301).
Junior standing (60+ completed credits).
GPA 2.5 overall and 3.0 major.

Only four hours may be counted toward upper-level major requirements. The course may be taken twice for a total of eight credit hours.

How do I register for THEA 495 Internship in Theatre?

Deadline one semester in advance during Program Planning: October for Winter/Spring and March for Summer/Fall.

Consult the internship coordinator and develop a Proposal Package (click link for instructions and forms) with duties totaling more than 180 hours. In addition, you will need to:

Secure the agreement of an organization that offers a legitimate and educationally sound professional theatre or theatre-related internship.
Complete the proposal form and the department cover sheet; hand-written will not be accepted.
Seek approval signatures from a member of the theatre faculty and the on-site supervisor responsible for completing your evaluation.
Submit signed proposal with cover sheet to department chair for approval.

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