McCarter Theatre Internship Program - McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts

Background:

McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts is a nationally recognized, non-profit performing arts organization which produces 6 main stage theater productions, and presents over 100 music, dance and special events each year. McCarter's theater series was the recipient of a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, and in 2013 McCarter’s artistic director accepted the Tony Award for best New Play on behalf of Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike, which was developed and premiered at McCarter. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, McCarter Theatre is centrally located 50 miles from both New York and Philadelphia and reaches an audience of approximately 200,000 throughout the tri-state area. McCarter's budget exceeds $10 million dollars per year, and the theater employs approximately 150 people at the peak of the season.



Originally constructed in 1929, McCarter Theatre resides on the Princeton University campus. While the University owns the building, McCarter Theatre independently operates the building and maintains control over the programming. The auditorium seats 1,078 people. In conjunction with the Princeton University Department of Theatre and Dance, McCarter opened the 360 seat Berlind Theatre in fall of 2003. Production shops (scenery, costumes, and props) are located within three miles of the theater.



McCarter’s internship program is one of the most prestigious and established in regional theater. Former McCarter interns have gone on to extraordinary careers as freelance artists, artistic directors, university professors, and high-level leadership positions in marketing, development, education, company management and more. The alumni network of former interns is strong and active. 1 out of every 15 full-time employees at McCarter was originally employed as a McCarter intern.



Responsibilities:

McCarter internships are post graduate, full time, season long positions. These internships are for individuals who desire a challenging practical experience in the real world, and for those who are willing to devote their full energies to the internship. Since hours and duties vary with different departmental assignments, taking on additional work outside of the internship may be difficult, and will be permitted only in cases of need. McCarter interns gain significant real world experience by assisting full time staff, participating in theater wide events and projects, and becoming core members of the McCarter Community. In addition to considerable responsibilities within their designated department, all interns can expect to perform interdepartmental tasks for the benefit of the theater, such as assisting with student matinees, fundraising events, poster runs, etc. Interns are given the opportunity to learn how each department contributes to the whole of McCarter through seminars with high-level staff, and are also invited to attend selected staff, board and committee meetings to increase their understanding of how a large regional theater operates.



Finances:

All interns receive a weekly stipend of $100. A limited number of interns are eligible for shared local housing. It is possible for some interns to obtain employment within the theater for additional compensation such as working with outbound calling, leading backstage tours, or Front of House positions that do not conflict with regular intern duties. The normal duties of the internship must be completed before extra work can be taken on.



Duration:

Internships typically run from late August through mid-June. In rare cases, interns may be able to join the organization for the summer directly prior or following their season-long position. Travel expense to and from McCarter is the responsibility of the intern.



Academic Credit:

Individuals who are interested in a career in professional theater and who are no longer in college, graduate school or in a formal training program are encouraged to apply to the program. In some cases, semester-long internships can be arranged. Academic credit for such programs is at the discretion of the sponsoring college or university and is arranged by the individual intern. The appropriate McCarter supervisor evaluates the intern’s performance as required by the college or university.





INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTIONS



ARTS ADMINISTRATION



Company Management Internship:

Works directly with McCarter’s Company Manager to provide the highest level of hospitality to our artists, collaborators, and staff. Specific responsibilities will include coordination of housing and transportation for artists in residence; gathering information on local resources to provide to artists and staff; coordination of hospitality volunteers and artist dinners; and intimate participation in the theater series rehearsal process. In conjunction with the Production Management Intern and the General Management Intern, the Company Management Intern will provide artist support for produced and presented events.



General Management Internship:

Has the opportunity to observe and participate in all aspects of the management and administration of McCarter Theatre. Specific responsibilities include theatre series contract administration, including artist offers and agreement negotiations, tracking of payments, and union correspondence; facility maintenance and building planning; human resources and personnel management; and support of meetings for McCarter staff and the Board of Trustees. The General Management Intern plays a key role in the interdepartmental flow of information at the theater, and is in frequent contact with various vendors and multiple departments at Princeton University. In conjunction with the Production Management Intern and the Company Management Intern, the General Management Intern will provide artist support for produced and presented events.



Development and Fundraising Internship:

Provides experience in the fundamentals of fundraising, including individual, corporate, foundation, government, and capital giving, as well as provide experience in grant writing, gift processing, donor events, the annual gala, stewardship projects, and mail campaigns.



Front of House Internship:

(previously called the House Management Internship) The intern will work with the House Services Manager to learn the business operations of Front of House. This internship provides experience in communications, recruitment, development, and training for both volunteers and staff; house management; accessibility services; records maintenance; budgets; concessions inventory and promotion; and more. This is an opportunity to see how internal FOH operations enhance the patron experience through a carefully curated customer service environment.



Marketing Internship:

Provides the opportunity to work collaboratively with all members of the Marketing Department on a variety of marketing efforts essential to the ticket sales of a large performing arts center. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: create and execute a marketing campaign(s), specifically for our student/young audiences and Pride Night campaigns; plan, coordinate, and execute special events/parties under the guidance of the Special Events Manager; assist in the creation of content and imagery for social media platforms; facilitate ticket donation requests using Tessitura; assisting with departmental budget tracking and reconciliation; execute grass roots marketing efforts and distribute promotional materials; support the PR Director with media relations; and provide general administrative support for the Marketing Department.



ARTISTIC / EDUCATION



Directing Internships

McCarter offers two directing internships per season. Each internship splits its focus between observing and assisting in the rehearsal room and working with the McCarter artistic staff either in Producing or Engagement. Directing interns will gain experience and training in the rehearsal room, observing and assisting the rehearsal process for three of the six mainstage productions. Responsibilities will include serving as an assistant to the director on select mainstage productions, script reading and report writing, and conducting production research. Those applying for directing internships should select their preferred internship. Those interested in applying for both internships should submit two separate cover letters.



Directing/Engagement Internship:

In addition to the directing internship responsibilities described above, this internship offers experience and training in audience and community engagement – the practice of enhancing and deepening the impact of the arts experience for the audience, and engaging with the greater community beyond the doors of the theater. Engagement tasks may include, but are not limited to: assisting the artistic engagement manager with design and curation of events, research, correspondence, copywriting, event promotion and facilitation, and public speaking.



Directing/Producing Internship:

In addition to the directing internship responsibilities described above, this internship offers experience and training in the day-to-day producing activities of a regional theater, and gives the opportunity to learn about the planning and producing of a season that includes six mainstage productions and an active program for developing new work. Producing tasks may include, but are not limited to: filling key positions for the McCarter Lab series of workshops and readings, reading and analyzing scripts, assisting with mainstage and institutional producing projects, and communication with artists and agents.



Education Teaching Artist Internship:

Provides experience in all facets of educational programs, including extensive teaching opportunities in classes and workshops, assisting with in-school residencies, working with community partners to offer arts education to underserved groups, supporting and coordinating the Student Matinee Series, contributing to online curricular content for teachers, working with education and engagement staff to create new programs, and supporting the day-to-day work of the education office.



Literary Internship:

Provides experience in the fields of literary management, dramaturgy, new play development, and audience engagement. Tasks include (but are not limited to): reading and analyzing scripts; responding to submissions and maintaining script database; assisting with play readings; conducting production-specific research; writing/developing content for performance programs and website; moderating post-show discussions; and administrative support and script coordination for McCarter senior group, OnStage. Detail-oriented, organized, and creative thinkers are encouraged to apply. Please include writing samples with your application.



This writing sample should be 5-10 pages of theater-related writing for a general audience: program notes, reviews or features for a newspaper, etc. Academic papers are fine (can be a complete paper or a portion of a larger piece, like a thesis), as are pieces written for a general audience on subjects other than theater. No scripts or fiction, please. Please be sure to attach your writing sample to your personal statement when you submit.



Producing/Casting Internship:

Provides the opportunity to observe and participate in the day-to-day producing activities of a regional theater, and to learn about the planning and producing of a season that includes six mainstage productions and an active program for developing new work. Responsibilities include serving as the primary casting coordinator for non-equity and children’s casting for mainstage productions, as well as assisting with the casting and producing of Lab Festival events and education productions. Other tasks include, but are not limited to: maintaining McCarter’s casting files, reading and analyzing scripts, corresponding with agents, artists, and actors, departmental accounting, assisting with mainstage and institutional producing projects, and coordinating readings and workshops.



PRODUCTION



Stage Management Internship:

Provides the opportunity to participate fully in the pre-production, rehearsal process, tech and running of McCarter’s Theater Series and annual production of A Christmas Carol. Responsibilities include assisting the AEA Production Stage Managers and Assistant Stage Managers in all components of stage management, including setting up and maintaining the rehearsal hall, maintaining an environment conducive to the artistic needs of the production, creating the paperwork necessary for running the production, and running the “deck” on all productions. As available, there will be “Operation Observation” opportunities backstage on Broadway, off-Broadway, and at touring productions at McCarter. This intern is eligible to participate in the Actors’ Equity Association Membership Candidate program.



Stage Management/Education Stage management Internship:

This position is shared by the Stage Management Department and the Artistic/Education Department and provides the opportunity to participate fully in the pre-production, rehearsal process, tech, and running of Theater Series productions in the first half of the year, and to stage manage a variety of educational productions in the second half of the year. Responsibilities include all those listed above for the stage management internship, in addition to serving as stage manager for youth productions and supporting the producing activities of the education program in the spring. This intern is eligible to participate in the Actors’ Equity Association Membership Candidate program.



Theater Production Internship:

Provides experience in one of several production disciplines; costumes, props, scenery, paint, lighting or sound with participation in the planning and execution of that department’s work in the shops and/or on stage.



Production Management Internship:

Works with the Director of Production and the production staff to support all events that happen on McCarter’s stages. Responsibilities will include data entry and book keeping, staff scheduling, attendance at departmental meetings, and coordination of budgets and logistics for designers and other artistic collaborators. Additionally, this intern will be heavily involved with McCarter’s series of presented events, including contract distribution, advancing of special events, and preparation of artist hospitality. In conjunction with the Company and General Management Interns, the Production Management Intern will provide artist support for produced and presented events.



The Charles Evans Fellow

Each season, one McCarter intern will be named the Charles Evans Fellow thanks to the generosity of the Charles Evans Foundation.



TO APPLY:

Fill out our ONLINE APPLICATION FORM at http://www.mccarter.org. Be sure to read all instructions.



Deadline for Artistic/Education and Stage Management candidates is March 1.



Deadline for Arts Administration, Production Management, and Theater Production candidates is March 31.



All questions should be directed to:

interncoordinator@mccarter.org