Marco Barricelli, Artistic Director

Shakespeare Santa Cruz offers internships in three areas: Artistic, Administration, and Production. 

As an intern, you will work directly with top theatre professionals, gain exposure to the latest skills and techniques in your field, add professional theatre experience to your résumé, as well as participating in summer-long "networking" to market yourself and your new experience.

TENTATIVE 2013 SCHEDULE
June 17 - Stage Management Interns Begin Work
June 24 - Orientation / Company Meeting
June 25 - Shops Begin Work / First Day of Rehearsal
September 1 - End of Season / Final Performances

Artistic Internships

The Acting Internship is comprised of performance as an ensemble member of one or more SSC summer season plays, an understudy assignment, performance in the Fringe Show in August, and a series of Master Classes taught by SSC Company members. The Fringe Show is a full-length play featuring all of the acting interns, with technical design and stage management by production interns. The Fringe Show is an integral part of SSC's season and performs on two nights on the outdoor Festival Glen stage.

Once accepted, all acting interns will receive an equal opportunity to audition for ensemble and understudy roles during the first week of rehearsals. Acting interns will each receive a $250 stipend.

Lauren Mack, Acting Intern 2011: “Shakespeare Santa Cruz has provided me an incredible work experience… SSC truly brings together a group of people dedicated to a sense of ensemble and the joy of magnificent theatre.”

The Directing and Dramaturgy Internships consist of an apprenticeship to one of the season directors or dramaturgs, as well as hands-on experience with the Company. Interns may also apply to work on the Fringe Show in August and may also participate in applicable Master Classes. Many Directing and Dramaturgy interns depart once their production is open.

Kathryn Wahlberg, Dramaturgy Intern 2010, Directing Intern 2011: “Over the course of my two internships with Shakespeare Santa Cruz, I have been granted unparalleled opportunities for learning and involvement in the creation of professional, classical theatre.”

Administration Internships

The Administration Internship consists of observing and assisting with the daily workings of a professional repertory theater company. The Administration Intern attends staff meetings, may observe rehearsals, and assists with marketing and development events and initiatives, as well as assisting staff members with various projects throughout the season. 

Administration Interns come from a wide variety of backgrounds including Arts Management, Stage Management, Directing, Dramaturgy, and Design. In some cases, an Administration internship may be combined with an Artistic or Production Internship. Administration Interns may participate in Master Classes taught by SSC Company Members.

Production Internships  

This program is for those primarily interested in stage management, technical production, and design.                      

The Stage Management Internship is comprised of an assignment as a production assistant to an Equity stage manager. Interns are full members of the stage management teams. There is no class component, but independent study can be arranged if college credit is desired. Stage Management Interns may also participate in applicable Master Classes. One intern will serve as ASM for the Fringe Show. Former Stage Management interns often return as Stage Managers for the Fringe Show or ASMs for other SSC shows.

Daniel Scott-Trostler, Stage Management 2011:  “Being a Stage Management Intern at Shakespeare Santa Cruz has been a wonderful experience.  Besides working side-by-side with incredibly nice and caring individuals, I have learned much that will help me on the road to becoming a professional Stage Manager.”

Technical Internships consist of an assignment as a production or design assistant in the following areas:

• Costume

• Properties

• Electrics (Lighting and/or Sound)

• Scenic Construction and/or scenic painting

There is no class component, but independent study can be arranged if college credit is desired. Most designers are not in residence for the duration of the build; depending on your interest, it is possible to work out an abbreviated schedule. Technical interns serve as designers or crew on the Fringe Show. Production interns are free to depart once the production that they are working on has opened.

HOW TO APPLY
Internship Application Guidelines                                             

1. Your résumé of experience and education. Actors, please also submit a headshot.

2. A cover letter with a personal statement about your goals in theater, and why you are particularly interested in an SSC Internship.

3. Two letters of recommendation. It is acceptable to have these emailed directly to [email protected].

4. Actors will need to audition in person or by DVD/online video link if it is not possible to attend one of the in-person auditions. Two 90-second monologues are required: one of them should be Shakespeare.

5. Directing/dramaturgy applicants will have an interview with the artistic director, either in person or via phone.

6. Production interns applications will be reviewed by the appropriate departments and/or designers.

SUBMIT ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
Shakespeare Santa Cruz
Attn: Internship Program
UCSC / Theater Arts Center
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA  95064
E-mail: [email protected]
No phone calls please!

Applications should be submitted no later than March 1, 2013 and will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide housing for our interns, however, SSC's Company Manager and Intern Coordinator work together to provide leads for appropriate local housing.

If you have any questions, please contact Intern Coordinator, Gina Marie Hayes at (831) 459-5109, or at [email protected].   

Above photos are from the 2012 Fringe Show, The Mandrake, written by Niccolò Machiavelli.  Photos by Byron Servies.