<p>S is a junior theater tech major who is concentrating on lighting design. I would welcome tips about how he can get a paid summer theater tech (his preference) or any other kind of theater/arts internship. I know nothing about theater internships, and little about what goes into being a successful theater tech major who can get jobs after graduation .S switched to a theater major last spring, so he is behind students who came to college majoring in theater.</p>
<p>S tells me that there are some conferences that it would be good for him to go to to get skills and apply for internships. I notice those conferences are expensive, and our finances already are stretched. Do colleges help students attend such conferences, and if so, how could son be in line for that kind of help?</p>
<p>S in addition to lighting skills (He was follow spot operate for a musical theater production this fall, and will be lightboard operator and master electrician for spring productions), S also has written press releases, designed flyers, designed sections of the literacy magazine, edited and produced films (including one of a performance by a local community theater) and a PSA, and had photographs published in the school newspaper. </p>
<p>He also has helped build sets and been on backstage crew for community theater. He has acted in community theater and college theater. And S spent a year as an Americorps volunteer running youth programs, writing grants, and doing other things that required maturity and a variety of organizational skills.</p>
<p>S had a part-time paid local internship last summer in which he edited film, designed flyers, and created a video PSA for a local arts program.</p>
<p>S is a dean's list student with merit aid who loves and works hard in all aspects of theater. He has a well deserved reputation as a team player who sees what needs to be done and cheerfully does it.</p>
<p>As far as conferences – Depending on where you are located, Southeastern Theatre Conference ([Southeastern</a> Theatre Conference, Inc.](<a href=“http://www.setc.org/]Southeastern”>http://www.setc.org/)), and USITT ([USITT](<a href=“http://www.usitt.org/]USITT[/url]”>http://www.usitt.org/)</a>) are conferences that college students do attend to interview for summer work. There are many companies that attend these conferences to hire college students to work with them in the summer. Some of these jobs are internships (often paid), some of these jobs are not internships – but jobs at a theatre company. Most companies will house employees for the summer, sometimes feed them as well depending on the company. We have had students hired for jobs and internships at Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Weston Playhouse, PCPA Theatrefest and others through interviewing at these conferences.</p>
<p>The New England Theatre Conference also has technical interviews that students may attend. This conference is not as large as SETC or USITT. Your region may also have an association that has a hiring conference for theatre technicians. </p>
<p>In terms of scholarships to help students attend conferences… this will vary from school to school. However – in most cases students are on their own for funding their conference and travel costs. If his school has a number of students going the college may be providing transportation for the group – or students may be carpooling and sharing rooms to cut costs. He should ask his adviser in his department, and other students who may have gone to these conferences in the past about this. </p>
<p>Some of the conferences themselves have opportunities for students to get scholarships in exchange for working at the conference. He would find this kind of information on the website for the conference. </p>
<p>Other places to look for job postings are backstagejobs.com (free service), Playbill.com (free service), TCG.org – Artsearch (this is a paid subscription, but your son’s school may subscribe already).</p>
<p>Through StrawHat ([StrawHat</a> Staff, Tech, Design Online Application](<a href=“StrawHat | Home”>StrawHat | Home)) technicians can create an online portfolio that StrawHat member companies can search.</p>
<p>PS. USITT conference assistance… H & H Specialties Student Conference Support
H & H Specialties provides Conference registration support for six student members who have been USITT members for at least one year and who register for the Annual Conference & Stage Expo before the Very Early Registration deadline of December 17, 2009. Students are chosen at random from all those who are eligible. Winners are notified in early January 2010. [Student</a> Opportunities - USITT](<a href=“http://www.usitt.org/StudentOpportunities.aspx#a1]Student”>http://www.usitt.org/StudentOpportunities.aspx#a1)</p>
<p>When my S was in college (CCM at Cincinnati) as a lighting major, he worked for two summers at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. The summer after his sophomore year he was hired as the Asst. Technical Director and worked on more than 31 touring shows & 50 asst. concerts by students/faculty. The next summer, he went back as their Technical Director overseeing all technical elements of 38 more touring groups and another 50+ student/faculty performances. He worked with such groups/performers as Josh Groban, Bobby Mcfarrin, Boston Pops Orchestra, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Hall & Oates, Jewel, and Arlo Guthrie. </p>
<p>If your son thinks this might be of interest, be aware that there are two different areas he could apply at Interlochen - Theater and Production. The position my son had was in Production, those shows that take place in the outdoor venues. </p>
<p>He might take a look at Texas Arts Project (TAP) at St. Stephen’s School in Austin. My D will probably be applying for an internship there and they do have technical positions. It is a residential and day camp and I believe most staff live at St. Stephen’s for the duration. There are lots of options:
[Summers</a> @ St. Stephen’s](<a href=“http://www.sstxcamps.org/sstx/employment.html]Summers”>http://www.sstxcamps.org/sstx/employment.html)</p>
<p>Thanks so much austinmtmom. He has lots of experience working with youths, including creating and running day camps, so that may be a good place for him to apply.</p>
<p>Austin is a great place to be and St. Stephen’s has a really nice campus. Ginger Morris is the TAP Artistic Director and she is great. She was the director for Little Shop of Horrors at Summer Stock Austin this summer and my D loved working with her!</p>
<p>Last spring I picked up the phone and called every single summer theater camp in the Washington, DC area that Happykid could get to by public transportation. On about the 5th or 6th call, I hit a place that was more than happy to take an (unpaid) HS summer lighting intern. She had a great summer, and they want her to come back. The two different Stage Managers with the program were college students and were paid. I don’t know if they came up through the camp themselves, or not.</p>
<p>Here are a few suggestions but there is lots of info on the web. Search regional theaters and summer festivals. Some offer room/board and sometimes even stipends for summer internships. The following is for the Chautauqua Theater Company in New York state.</p>
<p>Upper division students with some experience outside of schools are generally preferred for paying slots and now it is the time to apply. </p>
<p>Another approach is to look for work as a stagehand for summer festivals and events. These are actual paid jobs, better than minimum wage. Look for jobs with events management companies who can use you for several events.</p>