Internship Program Guidelines
Objective
Tennessee Repertory Theatre’s Internship Program is designed to offer hands-on professional experience to students, graduates, and early career professionals who are pursuing a career in theatre.Interns are offered the opportunity to gain practical knowledge while working with experienced professionals in theatre arts and administration. We strive to offer a program that helps each intern accomplish steps towards their career goals, while also allowing them to observe and experience the general day-to-day workings of a professional regional theatre.
Applicant Schedule
Student Internships:
Applications are accepted year round. Intern time commitments are somewhat flexible based on an intern’s schedule and the requirements of the position, and vary with each job. The Tennessee Rep season runs from September through May, with most internship positions available within that time. We will consider applicants for summer positions; however, artistic applicants seeking summer work will gain the most beneficial experience if they are able to adjust their schedules to include at least one production during the regular season.
Professional Internships:
All professional internship applications received by the posted deadline will be reviewed for consideration. Job openings are for full-time positions, and will be for a full-season commitment. In some cases, shorter time commitments will be considered (such as semester-long) in order to fulfill the needs of a graduate program’s requirements. Candidates should be aware that holding a job outside of the internship will be difficult if not impossible as Professional Interns will be considered as full-time staff members. All schedule concerns may be addressed to the intern advisor when applying for a position.
What to Expect
Work Assignments
While becoming an integral part of Tennessee Repertory Theatre, interns will be working and studying with professionals in every aspect of theatre: development, technical, stage management, directing, etc. Project-based jobs will be assigned according to each intern’s skill level, area of interest, and in some cases, schedule of availability.
Supervisor
Once a job has been designated, the intern will be assigned to a supervisor within his or her department who will oversee all day-to-day work activities. This supervisor will serve as a mentor to the intern’s learning experience. Interns will have the opportunity to have informal meetings with their supervisors – a time to have lunch/ coffee to ask questions and receive professional advice.
Advisor
The intern advisor will oversee each intern’s overall experience. All interns will be advised by Artistic Associate, Lauren Shouse. Intern advisors serve as a liaison to interns and will work to make each intern experience valuable. Interns will meet weekly with their intern advisor and other interns to share how their experience is going and to assess individual needs or concerns. These meeting times will be designated in the intern’s first week.
Expectations
Professional interns will act as Seasonal staff members who make a full-time commitment to Tennessee Rep. They will attend weekly staff meetings and other departmental related meetings. They will work to support ancillary activities of the theatre, such as fundraising events and other appropriate activities taking place in association with the theatre. While not a requirement, Student Interns are encouraged to work or attend fundraising and outreach events.
Policies
All interns will complete an Employee Information sheet with their advisor on their first day of work. Professional Interns will be given a copy of Tennessee Repertory Theatre’s Personnel Policies which they will be expected to uphold as seasonal staff members. Student interns will also be responsible for keeping time sheets to track their internship hours. Professional interns will need to meet with Business Administrator, Kay Adams to complete administrative paperwork (contract, W4, etc).
Conduct
Tennessee Rep is a professional theatre, and all employees and interns are expected to act in a professional manner. While working at Tennessee Rep, each intern acts as a representative of the company and is expected to treat all guests and patrons hospitably. We want all staff, hired artists, and interns to enjoy their experience with us, therefore we expect everyone to treat each other with respect and fairness. If an intern feels they have been treated poorly by a co-worker, they should bring this to the attention of their supervisor. In the case of a problem with a supervisor, it should be reported to the intern’s advisor.
Program Benefits
Interns at Tennessee Rep will gain invaluable professional work experience and a solid foundation in their chosen theatre career. While interns will have the opportunity to build their resume, they will also build important networking contacts in the staff and other professionals at Tennessee Rep. Interns will have the opportunity to set up individual meetings with staff members to ask questions and receive advice. Interns will receive complimentary and discounted tickets to Tennessee Rep productions. And interns are invited to participate in Tennessee Rep workshops free of charge (if a workshop is at its maximum enrollment, interns are invited to audit the class). Students of cooperating schools or institutions may earn class credit for their internship.
Educational Credit
All interns working for educational credit will be responsible for providing the necessary guidelines and paperwork from their schools. Once an intern is hired, they should meet with the Intern Advisor to review the guidelines together and ensure that all requirements for credit will be met. Periodic review meetings during the tenure of an internship may be scheduled to evaluate progress. While any supervisory paperwork may be completed by the intern supervisor, it is the responsibility of the advisor to ensure that all work is completed according to the participating school’s requirements.
Evaluations
All Professional and Student Interns at Tennessee Rep will receive midterm and end of term evaluations (with the exception of interns working less than 3 months where a midterm evaluation may not be necessary). Written evaluations will be prepared by the intern as they determine their individual strengths and weaknesses and given to the intern advisor. The intern will then meet with their supervisor, advisor and any staff members able to offer feedback on an intern’s experience. At this meeting, participants will assess the intern’s written evaluation and make necessary additions/changes in order to best assess the intern’s work. At the end of the internship, each intern will leave with this written evaluation which may serve as a recommendation to schools and other professional organizations.
