H28.0490 Section 001 2.0 - 8.0 points
Email Lee Gundersheimer, Internship Coordinator, for a password for access to the list of possible internship sites. When you have the password, visit the Drama Internship Sites page under Related Links.
Internship credits are counted as Advanced Professional Training for Drama Students. Open to Non-Majors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Internship?
As an intern, you will work in a professional organization related to the arts in New York City. You can intern (or apprentice) with a professional theatre or arts organization and gain hands-on work experience in the field. Positions may include stage management, theatre administration, and production assisting in venues such as Broadway, off-Broadway, off off-Broadway, and not-for-profit theatres, television, film, dance, music, arts service organizations, casting/talent agencies, along with working with children, after-school programs, drama therapy, intergenerational theatre, and community-based theatre.
Who Can Do an Internship?
Internships may be taken for either advanced professional training credits or electives. For advanced training a student must have completed two years of primary training or register for an internship in a summer session. Elective credit internships are available for all students but freshman and sophomores may only register for a two credit internship. Internships for upperclassmen or summer sessions can count for two to eight credits depending on the hours agreed on with the site and the student's schedule needs. Each credit earned is three hours minimum work per week per credit point.
Why are Internships a good idea?
Internships offer you valuable work experience while providing a mentored introduction to the professional workplace. You can learn new skills, which will serve you in your professional life, and learn to use the skills you already have in new settings. You can learn more about your own interests and talents, and you may make important professional contacts, which will be valuable to you, after you graduate. It's a great way to complement your studio training with "hands-on" experience in the business.
How does the Internship work?
Typically, internships are unpaid and last for the entire semester. Depending on the number of hours you work at your internship, you will earn between 2 and 8 points of professional training credit. Each point requires a minimum of 3 hours of work per week. You are encouraged to arrange your schedule to accommodate blocks of time at your site in order to become an integral part of the organization; three days a week is usual and typical. (Internships are also repeatable for credit.) Interns are required to attend two intern meetings during the semester, meet weekly with the site advisor, and write both a final evaluation paper and a job description. You must also sign and return your internship contract before or during the first week of your internship in order to receive credit!
How do I apply for an Internship?
You must make plans for your internship with Lee Gundersheimer prior to registering - so plan ahead! Write up an internship proposal; Prepare a business resume and cover letter. Typically you will be interviewing for your internship position. You may call or fax sites your resume/cover letter and to set up appointments if your information is up to professional standards. Lee will be able to answer any questions you may have, and he will grant you an access code as soon as you have filed your internship proposal.
What are the Proposal Guidelines for an Internship?
Your internship proposal should address the following questions. You may add any other information you feel would be pertinent. The proposal should be at least one type-written page in length.
- Where did you complete your primary studio?
- Why have you decided not to continue your studio training for this semester?
- What kind of internship interests you? Why?
- Where would you like to work?
- What kind of work are you interested in doing?
- What are your long-term career goals?
- Have you ever done an internship before?
- If so, how would you describe your previous internship experience?
- What do you hope to gain from this internship?
