INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTIONS
Following are brief descriptions of the internships available at Seattle Repertory Theatre.
Artistic
Department
The Artistic Department internship provides an opportunity to be part of the day-to-day life of a regional theatre artistic
staff. Interns participate in Seattle Rep's ongoing artistic efforts, with emphasis on dramaturgy, literary management, and
casting. Projects include reading and evaluating new plays, organizing auditions, dramaturgical research, administrative work,
and assisting playwrights and directors in the rehearsal process. Advice from the supervisor: "This internship is a great
opportunity for emerging dramaturgs, playwrights, and directors. It provides a valuable link between the academic and
professional worlds."
Arts Management Internship
Seattle Repertory Theatre designed the arts management internship to provide an in-depth look at the broad range of management
issues of a large, not-for-profit theatre, primarily from an administrative perspective. The intern will learn about Board
development and Trustee relations and will also gain knowledge of the theatre's day-to-day operations from the view point of
general management. On-going activities include special research projects for the managing director and administrative support
for the human resources manager.
Communications
The scope of Seattle Rep's communication department includes radio and print advertising, public relations, graphic design,
publications, patron services, box office, community relations, and new audience development. If you join our merry band in
the hive, you won't just be getting coffee. Oh, no. You will learn administrative skills, creating ads, copy-writing, planning
marketing campaigns, art directing, drafting press releases, assisting patrons, putting together the program, and finding
audiences in a multi-million dollar marketing department. And that's all before lunch!
Costume Shop
If fabrics make you swoon, Julie Christy's hair in Dr. Zhivago makes you cringe, and if making something with your own hands gives
you a reason for living, then you may have a home in the Costume Shop. Whether you're building a career in shop management, draping,
crafts, millinery, wigs, painting and dying or any combination of these, our shop is a great place to gain experience and take your
skills to the next level. Our highly skilled staff is comprised of artisans with many years of experience. Advice from the supervisor,
the Costume Shop Manager: "The inside of a garment should be as beautiful as the outside."
Education
The Education internship includes direct involvement in a variety of middle and high schools residencies based around
student matinees. Intern will serve as the assistant director on Drama Intensive and TeenSpeak residencies, in which high school
students create and produce original performance pieces. Other experiences include community advocacy, working with teachers to
connect programs to academic standards, and coordinating more than 70 residencies and 30 teaching artists. Advice from the supervisor,
Director of Education: "You've got to really like being around teenagers, mainly high school and middle school students. Young people
can tell if you want to be in the classroom or not, and it makes a real difference in how they respond to and learn from you.
We're looking for a good sense of humor coupled with intelligence and a sincere desire to make a difference - in your own life
as well as the lives of students."
Light
Design
As part of our commitment to developing emerging theatre artists, we offer a specialized Design Internship for applicants who have
advanced academic experience or extensive small theatre experience in design, and are looking to expand their knowledge to the
workings of a large, regional theatre. The internship focuses on two main areas: developing practical skills in the area of Assistant
Lighting Design (ranging from drafting and paperwork to communicating and working with a Union crew), and developing the intern's
design skill set through a series of theoretical design projects, (research methods, drawing, storyboarding, model building, etc.).
The intern will serve as a Design Assistant on at least one production.
Production Management
In overseeing the production department in our multi-venue theatre, this internship provides hands on experience tracking
budgets, hiring and contracting artists, managing technical rehearsals and assisting the company management staff. The intern
will experience the inner workings of all areas of production covered under various theatrical union contracts.
Properties
At Seattle Repertory Theatre, we pay special attention to detail — and properties are where many of those design details
become reality. Learn from skilled artisans about props construction, refinishing furniture, fine wood-working, metal crafts,
graphics, upholstery for the stage, and assisting in the creation of props for all productions.
Scenic Art (Paints)
In addition to assisting on all productions and the maintenance of the paint shop, the Scenic Art (Paints) internship includes
intensive instruction on painting techniques such as texturing, sculpturing, and color mixing. Designed for individuals with
painting or visual art experience, Seattle Repertory Theatre customizes this internship to enhance skills in perspective, color
theory and faux finishes, as well as learning the fundamental concepts of scenic design. Interns will also increase their
knowledge of the various types of materials and tools employed in a paint shop. Advice from the supervisor, Charge Scenic
Artist: "You have to be honest with yourself about how much you want to be a scenic artist. It is a commitment, a struggle.
It can be painful and joyous at the same time."
Stage
Management
The intern will serve as a member of the stage management team on three productions throughout the season. Duties will
include assisting the stage manager in the rehearsal and tech process, running shows from backstage, and when appropriate,
calling a performance and assisting in new play workshops. The supervisor for this position is the Staff Producer/Production
Stage Manager.
Technical Production
The Seattle Repertory Theatre gears this program towards preparing the intern for a career or grad school program in technical
direction. He or she will become well acquainted with the steps involved in taking a production from a drawing to physical
reality on stage, and with all of the duties and responsibilities of the Technical Director and Assistant Technical Director.
The intern will develop skills to help solve staging problems and gain experience with various automation techniques, as well
as learn about budgeting, scheduling and ordering materials. The supervisor for this position is the Technical Director.
