Tennessee Repertory Theatre

Producing Artistic Director
René D. Copeland

Artist-in-Residence
David Alford

 
             
  2008–2009
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2008-2009 Season

Sponsored by

The HCA Foundation on behalf of HCA/TriStar

Ingram Charitable Fund, Inc.

Sweeney Todd

Moonlight and Magnolias

Glengarry Glen Ross

Rabbit Hole
Darwin in Malibu
Holiday Special
The Santaland Diaries

 
 

 
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Tennessee Repertory Theatre

Interns at Tennessee Rep have a unique opportunity to gain practical experience from the largest professional theatre in Tennessee. Learn valuable skills from our outstanding staff in both our business and production departments.

Internship Program Job Descriptions

General Requirements

STUDENT INTERNSHIPS:

Student Internships are available for college students, and in some cases high school students, and offer a part-time flexible schedule. Internships are unpaid, and no housing is provided. For Student Internships we will work with each individual to set a schedule that will benefit both the intern’s and the theatre’s needs. While there are minimum time commitments for every job, the actual schedule varies according to each job assignment. Even though we strive to be flexible, some jobs have a set schedule requirement due to the nature of Tennessee Rep’s production schedule. For example, jobs pertaining to the performance run of the show require that the intern works every performance and part or all of tech week, and in some cases additional rehearsals prior to tech week. The minimum hours for each job are just that–we have set these hours as the fewest one can commit to for a truly beneficial experience. The more time one works at Tennessee Rep, the more one will gain from his or her experience. If you are a student seeking class credit, we will work with your educational institution to help you meet all the necessary requirements to do so. Because all institutions vary, we will approach all cases on an individual basis.

PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS:

Professional Internships are available for college graduates, graduate-level students and early career professionals and require a full-time commitment, typically for a full season. In general, internships are unpaid. In some cases stipends are offered for specific Professional Internships, which will be outlined in the job posting. No housing is provided. While Professional Internships are season-long, the number of weeks contracted for each job varies by department. Single semester internships will be considered in the case of graduate students needing only a semester for curriculum requirements. However, if it is possible to commit to a full season, this is encouraged for the most beneficial experience. Because of the full-time nature of Professional Internships, outside jobs are discouraged. Professional interns are considered a part of the staff, and will attend staff meetings and participate fully as a professional member of the company.

Departmental Job Descriptions

Marketing and Development

The Audience Development Department at Tennessee Repertory Theatre encompasses all activities involving marketing and sales, fundraising, publicity, and special events. Interns in this department will learn non-profit marketing and fundraising in a highly competitive arts community. Jobs will be assigned according to skill, area of interest, and schedule of availability. Opportunities, possible duties, and job requirements within each area of interest are as follows:

Development/Fundraising

(Professional Internships only)

• Build strong relationships with donors and corporate sponsors
• Donor solicitations, email communications, and donor database management
• Prospect research
• Government and foundation grant proposals
• Cultivation event planning
• Preparation for board of directors meetings
• Must be highly organized and able to multi-task
• Excellent computer and writing skills required

Marketing/Publicity

(Student Intern)
• Observe rehearsals and meetings with the artistic staff to develop ideas for effectively marketing productions on a modest budget
• Collect and archive materials
• Assist in preparing the program and other materials for each production
• Help set-up and work outreach events
• Other clerical and general duties as needed

(Professional Intern)
• All of the above, plus
• Work closely with staff to develop new audiences
• Maintain and create promotional relationships with other non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, target audiences, restaurants, and media outlets
• Assist with audience research, group sales, subscription campaigns, and special events
• Assist with press contacts, photo calls and video shoots
• Coordinate press mailings, prepare press releases and calendar announcements
• Excellent organizational and computer skills required
• Must have enthusiasm, creativity, and the ability to work both independently and with a small team
• Must have a strong interest in public relations, as well as good administrative and writing skills

Special Events

(Professional Internships only)
• Assist the Audience Development Director in administration and implementation of a wide variety of Tennessee Rep special events
• Work with staff and community leaders to produce fundraisers.
• Development and production of educational and outreach activities and promotional events
• Should display a combination of excellent oral, written, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Must be able to multi-task and show attention to detail
• Must be creative, imaginative, and enjoy working with a variety of people

 

General Production


Internships in this department are for those interested in stage management or artistic areas (such as directing, acting, or dramaturgy) of production. Interns will have the opportunity to observe all aspects of the rehearsal process, and will contribute to the process as a member of the production staff as an assistant to the stage manager (or possibly for some Professional Internships, to the director). Interns will work with an Equity stage manager, become familiar with Equity regulations, and observe the day to day duties of a resident Company Stage Manager. They will observe a professional director and actors at work, and attend production meetings. All jobs in this department are supervised by the Company Stage Manager.


Student Internships, duties may include:
• Assisting the stage manager in preparation for rehearsals
• Working closely with the Production Assistant during rehearsals and performances
• Assisting in production paperwork
• Attending and assisting with rehearsals
• Organization and maintenance of rehearsal and performance props/costumes
• Working production tech week
• Working backstage during the run of a show at TPAC, in the Johnson or Polk Theaters

Professional Internships, duties will include all of the above plus:
• Assisting the director as needed
• Research and general administrative tasks as needed
• Additional technical production work as needed
• With the right past experience/education, a Professional Intern might be assigned the job of Production Assistant (similar to Assistant Stage Manager)

 

Costume Production

Interns in this department will observe the daily operations of a professional costume shop, under the supervision of the Resident Costume Designer.

Student Interns:
Costume shop jobs vary according to skill level, schedule and seasonal needs, but all require a bare minimum of six work hours per week. Duties in this area may include:
• Hand sewing
• Machine stitching
• General shop maintenance
• Laundry maintenance
• Assistance in research and paperwork
• Shopping and pulling from stock
• Assisting in actor fittings
• Patterning
• Wardrobe assistance

Professional Interns:
Costume Production jobs may vary according to seasonal needs, but could include any of the following duties:
• Shop maintenance
• Costume rental assistance
• Wardrobe management/maintenance
• Stitching
• Advanced costume construction
• Craft work
• Patternmaking
• Draping
• Wig, hair, and make up assistance
• Design assistance
• Costume shop management

 

Technical Production

Interns in this department will observe the various workings of a professional scene shop and prop shop. Jobs will vary based on skill level and availability, and may be supervised by the Technical Director, the Head of Design, or the Props Assistant.

Student Internships:
General shop positions require a bare minimum of six work hours per week. Duties in this area may include:
• General shop maintenance
• Assist in the construction of sets
• Maintenance of prop storage, pulling props and set dressing from storage
• Shopping for props, set dressings, supplies and materials
• Assist in building props and set dressings
• Some positions will be available for load-in and load-out of sets. Sets pieces are loaded into either the Polk or Johnson Theaters at TPAC, then assembled in a short period (2-4 working days). This is a great hands-on experience which requires working in a fast-paced setting to assemble a full set for a professional theatrical production. Duties and requirements:
• Must be available to work scheduled dates which fall just prior to tech week and after closing night
• Must have some general scene shop experience
• Strong familiarity with tools
• Will be expected to lift and move heavy items
• Should be able to work in a cooperative team environment

Professional Interns:
Technical Production jobs will vary based on seasonal needs, but may include any of the following duties:
• Scenic construction
• Scenic painting
• Props construction/assistance
• Technical run crew
• Scene shop/prop shop maintenance
• Load-in/load-out crew

 

Internship Application (pdf requires Adobe Acrobat software)

Internship Program Guidelines (pdf requires Adobe Acrobat software)