Olney Theatre Center has internships available for high school and college students who are seeking hands-on experience at a non-profit regional theatre. Students can expect to gain experience in a fast-paced professional environment, develop connections with industry professionals, and learn more information about various career pathways in the performing arts.
These are unpaid, volunteer intern positions, and as such, Olney Theatre Center is relatively flexible when scheduling working hours. Internships are eligible for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. With permission from the school, students may also complete internships for course credit.
How to Apply:
Interested in interning at Olney Theatre Center? Fill out the Internship Application Form, and either select a specific summer position or general interest in interning. You will be asked to upload a resume. Please note: Summer internships will be available for application starting in January 2025. If you are interested in internships during the school year, please complete the General Interest section of the online form.
Summer Internship Opportunities (position descriptions will be updated and applications will open in January 2025):
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT/STAGE MANAGEMENT INTERN
The Production Assistant Intern will be part of our summer outdoor performance series, Olney Outdoors. The responsibilities of the intern will be to ensure all production needs and requirements are met for each performance event. The intern will be expected to shadow the Stage Manager during select performances and tech. (Performances are often slated for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, with technical rehearsals slated for the preceding Wednesdays). Additionally, the intern will help the deck crew with loading in and loading out artist equipment for each performance. The internship will last a minimum of two weeks with the option to extend. The intern will choose which performances and respective technical rehearsal that they can attend.
Requirements:
- Experience with technical theatre
- Completion of courses in either Stage Management or Technical Theatre
- Comfort working in the summer heat
- Ability to lift 50 pounds comfortably
- Eagerness to jump into new projects
- Comfort working individually or on a constantly shifting team with varying personalities
- 18 years of age or older
SOUND INTERN
The Sound Intern works with the Sound Supervisor and Associate Sound Supervisor to assist with setting up and taking down equipment for Olney Theatre Center’s summer outdoor performance series, Olney Outdoors. The intern can expect to gain experience working with microphones, backlines, cables, and sound consoles. The Sound Intern will be expected to work select performances and their respective technical rehearsals. (Performances are often slated for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, with technical rehearsals slated for the preceding Wednesdays.) The internship will last a minimum of two weeks with the option to extend.
Requirements:
- Experience working with sound equipment
- Completion of courses in Sound Design and Technical Theatre
- Comfort working in the summer heat
- Ability to lift 50 pounds comfortably
- Eagerness to jump into new projects
- Comfort working both individually and with a variety of team members
- 18 years of age or older
ELECTRICS INTERN
The Electrics Intern will work with the Lighting Supervisor and the Associate Lighting Supervisor to hang and focus the lights for our summer outdoor performance series, Olney Outdoors. The internship will most likely take place over the course of approximately 2 weeks in July. The Electrics Intern can expect to work with various lighting instruments and consoles. (Please note this internship requires working on ladders outdoors to hang lighting equipment.)
Requirements:
- Knowledgeability of and experience working with common lighting equipment
- Completion of courses Lighting Design and Technical Theatre
- Comfort working with ladders and heights
- Comfort working in the summer heat
- Ability to lift 50 pounds comfortably
- Eagerness to jump into new projects
- Comfortability working both individually and with a variety of team members
- 18 years of age or older
COSTUMES INTERN
The Costume Intern will work in the Costume Shop alongside the Costume Shop Manager, Costume Shop Associate, and Wardrobe Supervisor. The intern will assist in costume fittings and creation for the various productions over the summer. Additionally, the intern will assist the Costume Shop Manager with the organization of costume pieces for specific productions. The internship will span a minimum of two weeks starting in June, this time can be extended depending on the needs of the intern. During the internship, the intern will learn how to alter garments to fit a performer, how to rig garments for theatrical quick changes, and how to use hand and machine sewing to repair, alter, or build garments.
Requirements:
- A beginner's knowledge of hand and machine sewing
- An interest or knowledge of clothing history, theatrical history, costume crafts, jewelry making, and wig styling
- Ability to lift 50 pounds comfortably
- Eagerness to jump into new projects
- Comfort working both individually and with a variety of team members
- 18 years of age or older
SUMMER PROGRAM TEACHING ASSISTANT
The Summer Program Teaching Assistant works closely with our Teaching Artists and Educational Department to help run, organize, and instruct Olney Theatre Center’s three premiere summer learning programs: Summer Stock, Musical Theatre Intensive, and Summer Audition Studio. Assistants can expect to work alongside award-winning industry professionals and staff administrators to plan and assist with program activities and to organize the final presentation for friends and family. The Summer Program Teaching Assistant is expected to work for the two weeks of at least one of the summer programs. Assistants must be available Monday through Friday from 9am-3pm.
Requirements:
- Comfort working both individually and with a variety of team members
- Experience working with children
- Strong organizational skills
- Comfort with public speaking
- Some knowledge or experience with theatre as a whole
- Must be in the 8th grade or higher
Interested in a theatrical department not listed above? Please still fill out the application and select that specific department. If you have any questions about our internships or the application process, please reach out to education@olneytheatre.org.
