TEN REASONS TO INTERN AT CALIFORNIA SHAKESPEARE THEATER
1. As a Cal Shakes Intern, you are an integral part of the process of creating art at an innovative classical theater whose mission is to build a culture of life-long creativity, marked by diversity of thought and freedom of expression.
2. Cal Shakes is committed to helping you find your way into a professional career through Professional Development seminars, one-on-one coaching, and networking opportunities. In addition to learning about how Cal Shakes operates, the Intern Director feels it is important to provide interns with the necessary tools which they may use to further their careers.
Upcoming Professional Development seminars may include:
• Crafting a theatrical résumé
• Interviewing techniques and etiquette
• Portfolio building
• Building a career as a designer
• Grant seeking basics for individuals in the arts
• Grant proposal writing basics
• “Before You Seek a Grant: A Checklist for New Nonprofits”
• Informational interviews with other theaters
3. Cal Shakes’ staff comprises successful professionals—many of whom were interns themselves—who are thrilled to share their experiences with interns, and to provide mentorship and networking possibilities.
4. Interns are able to network with Bay Area actors and designers through, amongst other activities, our “Meet and Greets” and the Designer Clambakes hosted by Just Theater.
5. We aim, each year, to build a company of interns who are roughly in the same place, working towards building a long term career in the theater in order to perpetuate the building of relationships and support throughout the season and beyond.
6. Interns are not grunt labor at Cal Shakes. We don’t ask interns to do anything that we haven’t done or wouldn’t do; we view the work done over the course of the season as a shared responsibility.
7. Working at a place like Cal Shakes, interns have the opportunity to meet and work with some of the top artists in today’s theater.
8. Cal Shakes is one of the country’s premier Shakespearean theaters. Check out our home page for more information.
9. As a Cal Shakes intern you are granted walk-in privileges to productions at A.C.T., Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Aurora Theatre, Magic Theater, Marin Theater Company, San Jose Repertory, TheatreWorks, Theatre Rhinoceros and San Francisco Playhouse to name a few. Interns also receive company comp tickets over the course of our season.
10. You can brag to all your friends that you had lunch with Jonathan Moscone.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you offer winter internships?
Yes. We offer Casting Assistant, New Works/ New Communities, and Artistic Learning Internships. Check out our website in the late spring for information on how to apply.
Do Cal Shakes internships pay?
Unfortunately, no.
Will I be able to have a second, part-time job?
Maybe. Work schedules are different depending on the type of internship. All internships are considered full-time, however some are the traditional 9-6 Monday through Friday, leaving nights and weekends free; while others are primarily nights and weekends, leaving days open. We’ve had interns who work for the box office and patron services departments when appropriate, which has provided a source of income for several interns in the last few seasons.
Are there directing or acting internships?
Not specifically. The best internship we offer for potential interns interested in those fields is our Education internship or our Casting Assistant Internship.
What is the time commitment for an internship?
We have selected two start and end days for interns to select from: May 11- August 23 or June 14- October 5.
If those dates don’t work with my school schedule, can I still do the internship?
Start and end dates are flexible as long as you are available the entire summer in-between. Some conflicts may be allowed; just be sure to include them, in detail, on your application.
Can I talk to current interns about their experience at Cal Shakes?
Absolutely, email interns@calshakes.org and we can put you in touch with one or two of this year’s interns. Don’t worry if you don’t get an immediate response—it just means we’re busy, not that you are being ignored.
Are there any qualifications I need to have to be a good candidate for the internship?
All interns should have a strong interest in a career in not-for-profit theater. We prefer candidates who are more advanced in their education or have completed their education, but we’re not limited to that. We don’t have a check list of qualifications we expect—just tell us what you’ve done that you feel makes you a good candidate.
Do I need to send a portfolio and letters of recommendation with my application?
Yes, if you are a Design Intern candidate. The two letters of recommendation should come from people that you have worked with in the capacity for which you’re applying (i.e., a teacher and a director with whom you’ve worked.)
Should I expect to receive a confirmation once Cal Shakes has received my application?
Yes. We will send you an email.
When should I expect to hear back about my application?
All applications must be submitted by February 29 through the online application process. Interviews will be scheduled directly after and offers will be made around April 1, 2008. All applicants will be notified of final decisions no later than April 15.
Why an internship?
An internship is a great opportunity to solidify your academic education with practical application experience in a fast-paced, professional environment; this experience also facilitates relationships within the company you are interning for, and with other local theaters. An internship is also an intermediary step between an undergrad education and graduate school, serving to build advanced skills while showing a commitment to a career in not-for-profit theater.