Internships

[Behind-the-Scenes]

Posted: 10/22/16 at 5:34pm

Hello!

I'm currently a freshman enrolled in college here in the city. I'm majoring in Arts & Entertainment Management with a potential minor in Special Events Marketing. 

My friends and I, all freshman, are seeking internship positions to work in the industry. I was curious as to if anyone on this board knows about companies that will hire/intern freshmen for the spring season? 

While my friends will be away for the summer, I will still be living in the city. My friends and I are extremely well versed in the theatre industry and are very experienced theatregoers. 

Any tips, advice, and help would be extremely appreciated. 
Thanks! 

Posted: 10/22/16 at 5:44pm

SPOTCO and Type A are two of the larger marketing firms I know of on Broadway. Baseline Theateical Management (Hamilton and Great Comet) has an internship program. Visit their website for details. 

 

EDIT: you can also go to IBDB and the management and marketing teams will usually be listed. They all have websites. 

Updated On: 10/22/16 at 05:44 PM

Posted: 10/22/16 at 11:34pm

Where do you study Arts and Entertainment management?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/22/16 at 11:37pm

^im guessing pace. I'm applying there.

Posted: 10/22/16 at 11:44pm

That would make sense. What is pace's program like? Is it considered top notch?

[asmith0307]

Posted: 10/23/16 at 12:00pm

Playbill.com jobs listings is also useful. Its how I found my internships. Make a list of the offices that interest you - if you aren't sure what offices those are, scour Playbill/BroadwayWorld/Theatrical Index/LinkedIn/etc. Then reach out to those offices to ask about their internship programs. Some have it right on their website. Others you will have to email and ask directly. Also look at the Theatre Intern Network. While they don't always email out internships, they are a great way to meet other interns and start creating a network in the city. 

[Kemp3]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 6:52am

bakerswife372 said: "Playbill summer internships help students get the best variants. I also know that Broadway Dreams offer various types of internships for students to buy essay application sample or register in the office with the filled application forms for college interns."

 

I study at Pace University and I'm thinking about a summer intership. What are the chances for a third year student? Do I also need recommendation letters?

Updated On: 1/27/20 at 06:52 AM

[magictodo123]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 8:11am

I've been working since I graduated from college 6 years ago (ooof)) to find a permanent position in the theater industry. It is INCREDIBLY difficult. Very often, you have to have connections. You have to know someone. The few times I got lucky, It was because I stalked the Playbill.com jobs page.

I have spoken to someone who does have connections and they gave me some advice that I'm still trying to follow....be a squeaky wheel. If you want a position, stop at nothing to make sure your application gets to the right person. If it's something you really want, keep fighting for it. Keep pursuing it. It's not going to happen tomorrow. I've also heard looking for any work in this industry IS a job in itself. 

 

As for letters of recommendation, you only need those if the posting specifically states that those are required. Otherwise don't worry about that. 

 

I have a deep, deep passion for this industry and I have yet to get a full time job, but I will not stop. It is what I am meant to do and I have to keep going. I'm trying everything. Look up theater companies that you like (Shubert, Jujamcyn, Nederlander, etc.) but don't disregard places like Ars Nova, Playwrights Horizons, Second Stage, etc. 

 

GOOD LUCK!!! 

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 9:20am

I did my internship at the York Theatre. Although it was unpaid, I learned many things and met many people and generally had an amazing experience. They have a Marketing concentration, too (mine was Literary).

I concur with Magictodo123...I was unemployed for two years hunting for a fulltime position in the theatre industry, but in November, I got one! It made all the headaches worth it.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 9:46am

I did my internship at the York Theatre. Although it was unpaid

Heads-up, kids.  An internship is unpaid.  That is what an internship is.  I was baffled with the amount of applicants I encountered who did not know this when I was looking for an intern years ago.  Yikes!  

[magictodo123]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 9:48am

BrodyFosse123 said: "I did my internship at the York Theatre. Although it was unpaid

Heads-up, kids. An internship is unpaid. That is what an internship is. I was baffled with the amount of applicants I encountered who did not know this when I was looking for an intern years ago. Yikes!"

That's not always true. While it NORMALLY is the case, I interned with a company last year and it was, in fact, a paid internship. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 9:56am

No, not all internships are unpaid.   That SHOULD be true for those receiving college credit for them - but it doesn't have to be otherwise.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 9:56am

BrodyFosse123 said: "I did my internship at the York Theatre. Although it was unpaid

Heads-up, kids. An internship is unpaid. That is what an internship is. I was baffled with the amount of applicants I encountered who did not know this when I was looking for an intern years ago. Yikes! "

Heads-up, shaming applicants for wanting to, I don’t know, make money to live, on a message board would make me never want to work for you, free or paid. Yikes!

[Perchance-2-Dream]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 10:28am

Behind-the-Scenes said: "Hello!

I'm currently a freshman enrolled in college here in the city. I'm majoring in Arts & Entertainment Management with a potential minor in Special Events Marketing.

My friends and I, all freshman, are seeking internship positions to work in the industry. I was curious as to if anyone on this board knows about companies that will hire/intern freshmen for the spring season?

While my friends will be away for the summer, I will still be living in the city. My friends and I are extremely well versed in the theatre industry and are very experienced theatregoers.

Any tips, advice, and help would be extremely appreciated.
Thanks!"

Good questions! I've interned on and off Broadway, and while my experiences may be different from others, here's the advice I can give:

Absolutely take advantage of connecting with everyone. If there is someone in the industry you know, shoot them an email and see if they'd be interested in an informal interview. Nothing too professional, maybe go out for coffee, learn the tricks of the trade, ask for advice, etc. When you do that, you actually become (at least in my experience) far more memorable to those you speak with.

Playbill has often been my go to when it comes to job searches and (like any other job listing website) I tend to send out maybe 100 or more in a week. It's tedious, but the more you do it, the greater chances you have at being spotted. 

Really it's not the greatest advice I can give, but it's all about persistence and using what you have to your advantage. For example, I went to BroadwayCon on Saturday, and while much of it was purely for fun, I took the time to visit panels about the industry and give out a business card to anyone who would be willing to take it. 

In regards to some of the users talking about unpaid vs paid internships, I suppose it has to do with where you look. The internships I've had in the industry have always been paid, but that is because I never took an offer that wasn't. Of course, that meant that my pool got very small very quickly, and there are many unpaid internships that really offer the best. So, it's really your call on whether or not you want to sacrifice that. Hope this helps!

[1singularsensation]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 12:50pm

AKA NYC hires Spring and Summer interns. You can find out more about them at https://aka.nyc/careers/! I did one myself- you learn SO MUCH and really are integrated in the Broadway/Entertainment and Marketing fields. 

[FlyHigh523]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 1:02pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "I did my internship at the York Theatre. Although it was unpaid

Heads-up, kids. An internship is unpaid. That is what an internship is. I was baffled with the amount of applicants I encountered who did not know this when I was looking for an intern years ago. Yikes! "

Heads-up boomer, my friend got paid $32 an hour at his internship. Times have changed. :)

[Perchance-2-Dream]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 1:10pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "I did my internship at the York Theatre. Although it was unpaid

Heads-up, kids. An internship is unpaid. That is what an internship is. I was baffled with the amount of applicants I encountered who did not know this when I was looking for an intern years ago. Yikes!"

Excuse the confusion, but I don't think internships are strictly unpaid now? The internships I've had, both on/off Broadway and outside of the industry were all paid. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 1:16pm

Personally if the position is unpaid and you're not getting college credit for it, then I'd call it a volunteer position. However, I don't work in the theater industry so what do I know. 

Given the very low unemployment rate right now, I think even for unpaid internships it may be possible to negotiate (i.e. have them provide you with a monthly unlimited MTA metrocard.) Good luck!