Production Internship at American Players Theatre for High School Students
Theater is not just for actors. It takes of village of skilled craftspeople, engineers, technicians, and artists, to bring a play to the stage. At American Players Theatre, we build scenery from wood and steel, pattern and build costumes from scratch, tie wigs from real human hair, build, and upholster period furniture, make special effects, always custom, always for the first time. We have lighting technicians programming computers and working at great heights, sound technicians editing and creating effects, and, of course, no play could get from rehearsal to closing night without the talent of stage managers.
We are looking to share what knowledge and expertise we have with the students of our community, to help inspire the next generation of theater artisans, technicians, and managers. We’re looking for students who might love theater production, if only they knew more about it.
Who is involved?
This is a unique learning experience working behind-the-scenes in costumes, scenic painting, lighting, sound, props, and more. The intern will spend a week in each different production department working alongside our artists and technicians, learning about our work, and assisting on projects for hands on experience. Some of this work may take place during a live performance.
What happens during the internship?
The time commitment for this internship is 20 hours a week for five weeks, usually Tuesday through Saturday, starting on June 30, 2020. Some of this experience may include, but is not limited to:
Prop Shop – Work with Prop Master to learn how a show is propped, determining whether to build, buy or refurnish each piece on the prop list. Assist in finding rehearsal props and responding to changes coming out of rehearsals. Work on specific small projects in soft goods, hand props or furniture. Spend time in the props wood shop learning from technicians about building furniture.
Costume Shop – Work with the Costume Director to learn how a costume shop works and how a show is costumed. Work with a costume team on small sewing projects. Spend time in the wig shop learning about wig making and styling. Spend time in the millinery shop learning about hats and their construction. Spend time in the costume crafts shop learning about costume crafts, adaptation of shoes and the art of dying fabric.
Electrics and Sound Departments – Work with the Lighting Supervisor to learn how a show is lit. Learn about the lighting instruments APT has, how they are hung, maintained and how they work in a show. Receive training for working safely at great heights, and explore our various lighting positions. Work with the Sound Supervisor to learn about the sound support and equipment APT uses. Spend time watching each technician run a show.
Stage Management – Work with the Production Stage Manager to learn how a stage manager shepherds a rehearsal process. Spend time in rehearsals, both in the halls and on stage. Assist the stage management team in preparing for rehearsal and shutting down afterwards. Learn about the magic of scheduling rehearsals/fittings/vocal sessions/movement sessions/fight work and other one time things for the company. Shadow a stage manager or assistant stage manager during a show and learn about show duties.
Paint Shop – Work with the Charge Scenic Artist to learn about paint treatments, how to use a model and paint elevations to create the designer’s vision and what it takes to keep the actors from slipping in the rain. Assist the paint staff with painting scenery and props. See how paint notes are dealt with during technical rehearsals and when the set is already installed up the hill onstage.
Anything else to keep in mind?
The intern will be personally granted a free ticket to any show (availability pending) through APT’s Employee Ticket Policy. Ideally the intern will see many, if not all, of the shows at both our outdoor Hill Theater and indoor Touchstone Theater.
For their safety while working in APT shops, the intern will read and agree to APT’s Employee Work Agreement. The Employee Work Agreement will address special clothing requirements, such as closed, sturdy footwear in the prop wood shop.
Will there be an evaluation I can use for school credit?
Each supervisor the student works with will provide a brief written evaluation of the intern. These will be complied together at the end of the internship.
The internship will last approximately 80-100 hours and the student can earn one elective credit from River Valley High School for successfully passing the internship. The grading for the internship will be done on a pass/fail basis and this decision will be based on an overall review of the evaluations written by the supervisors.
The intern will have weekly meetings with the Production Manager during the internship, to ensure that it is going smoothly and to answer any questions.
Who is my contact during the internship?
The overall experience is overseen by Production Manager Michael Broh. The intern will also be supervised by each department head individually while working in their department. If the intern needs to contact someone at APT and Michael is not available, his assistant, Sara Stellick will serve as a backup contact.
Michael Broh
Production Manager
608-588-9218 broh@americanplayers.org
Sara Stellick
Assistant Production Manager
608-588-9213 apm@americanplayers.org
During the summer, all departments involved in this internship can be reached Tuesday through Saturday. Michael and Sara are also reachable by phone outside those days.
How do I apply?
Fill out an application and either mail it in or drop it off! We would like to encourage not only students with theatrical interests, but painters, crafters, carpenters, and engineers to apply as well. Specific skills needed in various shops, such as sewing or using power tools, are helpful but not necessary.
When will I find out if I got the internship?
Applications at due by March 31st and we will let you know by April 10th.
