Launch Your Theatre Career: Interning at the Alley Theatre

The Alley Theatre Professional Internship Program offers a gateway for college and graduate students eager to immerse themselves in the world of professional theatre. This comprehensive program provides hands-on experience and invaluable insights into various facets of theatre operations. Participants are given the opportunity to attend performances and dress rehearsals, collaborate with staff supervisors on project-based tasks, and engage with fellow interns to exchange knowledge and experiences across different theatre domains.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the Alley Theatre Professional Internship Program, applicants must be at least 18 years old and actively enrolled in college, carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours. Deadlines are seasonal and may vary.

A Summer of Opportunity

Each summer, Alley Theatre welcomes a diverse group of interns who are passionate about advancing their careers in professional theatre production, arts administration, or non-profit marketing and management. The program aims to integrate the intern cohort into The Alley community, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment.

Intern Perspectives: A Glimpse into the Program

Let's hear from some of the recent Alley Theatre interns and delve into their experiences:

Eden: Lighting Intern

Eden's journey into lighting began in high school, captivated by the design aspect and the power of conveying emotions through light. Her college experience further solidified her interest, leading her to the Alley Theatre.

Read also: Shaping Lives Through Theatre

Experience: "I do have some experience in lighting, most of which I’ve learned in college. I became interested in lighting when I was in high school. I always found the design aspect fascinating and was in awe of what people can convey through lights."
Responsibilities: "I help the electricians in their daily tasks. This can range from maintenance of house lights to hanging and cabling lights for an upcoming show."
Key Takeaway: "I love the collaboration it requires."

Eden's experience highlights the collaborative nature of theatre, where teamwork is essential for bringing a production to life.

Mackenzie: Development Intern

Mackenzie's connection with The Alley began in middle school through The Alley Conservatory. Her interest in development stems from her aspiration to become an artistic director.

Background: "In middle school, I learned about The Alley Conservatory. As someone who was trying to break into more theatre and more straight plays, this immediately piqued my interest. I did The Alley Conservatory going into high school, then I did it again, then COVID happened, and then I did it again and again."
Interest in Development: "I became interested in development because of my goal to be an artistic director."
Daily Tasks: "Every day is different! I’m doing a lot of work with Tessitura, which is such a great opportunity; it helps you so much in the non-profit world."
Insight: "The culture of the nonprofit changes (in such a positive way) when it allows itself to be centered on community outreach."
Passion for Theatre: "I love theatre because I love people. I love theatre because inside all of us is a little kid who played dress up, and seeing people tell stories never fails to move me."

Mackenzie's journey showcases the importance of community outreach and the power of storytelling in theatre.

Maddy: Costumes Intern

Maddy's first encounter with The Alley was during a high school field trip where she watched "Twelve Night." Inspired by the show, she pursued costuming in college and found her calling.

First Impression: "When I was a freshman in high school, my school went on a field trip to the Alley. We watched Twelve Night. I remember seeing the rain and thinking this theater is perfect."
Path to Costumes: "In college, I was a general theatre major, but I took a costuming class, and I realized: this is what I want to be doing."
Responsibilities: "I work on notes for And Then There Were None. I will sit in on wig fittings, costume fittings, rehearsals, and meetings. I mostly work on alterations. I make stock costumes - pants, shorts, etc."
Sense of Belonging: "It makes me feel like I’m part of something that’s bigger than myself. I’ve always found friends in theatre. There’s a place for everyone, even if you’re not an actor, singer, or dancer."

Maddy's experience emphasizes the sense of community and the diverse roles available in theatre, welcoming individuals with various skills and interests.

Noel: Early Childhood Engagement (ECE) Intern

Noel's connection with The Alley began with improvisation workshops and a performance of "A Christmas Carol" in middle school. Her passion for theatre extends to early childhood engagement.

Early Exposure: "When I was in middle school, The Alley came to do improvisation workshops. That same week, my theatre class went to see A Christmas Carol!"
Experience in ECE: "Yes, I volunteered at my church’s vacation Bible school and also spent my spring break volunteering at charter schools."
Daily Tasks: "Once I arrive at The Alley, I help with setup before the kids arrive. Once the camp has begun, I assist our incredible teaching artists with their class."
Key Learning: "Through my internship at The Alley, I’ve discovered firsthand the value of building relationships with children; by sharing my passion for theatre, I inspire them to explore their own passions."
Love for Theatre: "I love theatre because it has been a constant in my life, from growing up as a missionary kid in different countries and attending various schools. Theatre provided a sense of home and allowed me to explore my talents in singing, dancing, and acting freely."

Noel's story highlights the importance of theatre in providing a sense of belonging and fostering creativity, especially for young individuals.

Broader Intern Experiences and Takeaways

Beyond the individual experiences, interns at the Alley Theatre share common sentiments and insights:

Being Part of Something Greater: "My biggest takeaway from the summer so far is that everyone is a part of something greater."
Opportunities to Witness Art Creation: "My favorite part of working at the Alley is all the opportunities we have to see art being created."
Collaboration in Theatre: "My favorite part of working in theatre is witnessing the powerful collaboration between actors, artists and even corporate professionals, all coming together to produce world-class theatre."

One intern recounted a memorable, albeit embarrassing, moment from their time in the young cast of "A Christmas Carol," highlighting the camaraderie and shared experiences that make theatre special. "My favorite memory at the Alley is actually not related to this internship, but rather my time being in the young cast of A Christmas Carol! I fell down the stairs onstage during one of the shows and while it wasn’t funny at the time, I think back on it now and laugh."

Opportunities in Literary Department

Literary interns may start their day discussing plays with the rest of the Literary department or working on one of the many running tasks we’ve got for the summer. Tasks may include writing dramaturgy packets, putting together blog posts for the season, sending scripts out to readers, preparing for the Alley All New Festival, and all sorts of other exciting projects. In the afternoon, they occasionally listen in on rehearsals for readings or the upcoming production.

Read also: Theatre College Guide

One intern shared their excitement for the play "English" from the upcoming season, praising its clever integration of form and content and its exploration of how language shapes identities. "I’m especially excited by English because it’s a brilliant example of how form and content can work together in an original and masterfully clever way. Reading English opened my eyes to the subtle and complex ways language shapes our identities."

tags: #alley #theatre #internships