NYC Theatre Internships

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 11:10pm

I posted this on the student board, but have not received any responses, so I thought I'd post here where the average age and professional experience are higher.

Hello all!

When I first joined this board, I wanted to be an actress (hence the username). Since that time, I have realized that I am much more interested in directing. I am going to graduate from high school this year, and was wondering if anyone can recommend NYC internships that would provide useful experience for someone interested in directing and/or becoming an artistic director.

I have already done a ton of internet searches on the subject, but I am most interested in internships with which you or people you know have had personal experience that you can discuss.

Thanks so much!

Updated On: 12/31/09 at 11:10 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 11:30am

I think it might be difficult for a student straight out of high school to get an internship. There's quite a bit of competition for internships among college students who already have some training under their belts.

Any particular reason why it has to be NYC? There are many good regional theaters which are a better way to go. Perhaps check out some of the popular regional theaters: Trinity Rep, Hartford Stage, Actors Theater of Louisville, Steppenwolf, or check out some of the Summer Stock theaters which only have a Summer commitment.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 2:10pm

Also, are you going to be enrolling in college. Many internships these days, outside of the summer stock positions, are for college credit only.

And as Goth said, right out of high school is going to be very, very difficult, as you will be competing with students who have had at least a couple years worth of training in college.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 2:56pm

Many internships these days, outside of the summer stock positions, are for college credit only.

Not necessarily true. I don't think that's even true for the "majority" of the kinds of things she'd be considering. When postings list the phrase "college credit only," it doesn't mean you can only apply if you want to get college credit; it means the only form of compensation they offer is college credit, as opposed to actual monetary pay.

And yes, it's difficult to be on the younger side of the applicant pool, especially now that the employment market is so difficult that more people are applying for and willing to take unpaid internships for the experience, but I have seen a lot of high school students get accepted into some pretty prestigious internship programs. It definitely happens, and your age is not a reason not to apply.

That being said, I'm sending you an e-mail.

Updated On: 1/2/10 at 02:56 PM

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 11:03pm

I specified NYC because that's where I live, and relocating is not a possibility.

And yes, I am going to college in the fall, and to an institution that will hopefully make things like this a little easier in the future.

Thank you for your responses!

[Plum]

Posted: 1/3/10 at 12:46am

Em, I don't know about theater, but I know I lost out on a publishing internship because my college refused to give credit for that kind of thing. Gah, that was annoying.