Summer is a time for college students to relax, recharge, and refresh after a year of heavy classes and long nights in the library. However, for many theatre majors, our schedules never slow down. College theatre majors work in theaters and theme parks throughout the country every summer, doing everything from performing to design. This summer, I’m working my first internship at the Nashville Children’s Theater for their summer camp program.
As much fun as this sounds, an internship is not an easy accomplishment. Just applying and interviewing for an internship is a job within itself. I went through many applications and interviews to finally get a yes. Hopefully I can give all some tips that will help you in your job search.
- RESEARCH! You have to start by making a list of all the places you are interested in. I split my list up into different categories based on the type of job (acting, directing, stage managing, etc), paid or unpaid, and location. This way, when you are starting the application process, you already have an organized list to make applying go much smoother. I would say make a list of at least 50 internships to be safe. I know that sounds like a big number, but the more you send out, the better. Also, try to find more theater oriented sites, like the job postings on Playbill or Backstage Jobs.
- RESUMES and COVERS LETTERS! It’s important to have all of this ready before you start applying so all you have to do is attach and send. When looking over your resume, make sure to revise and update your information. Include all you jobs and skills, even those not related to theater, as employers like to see you have other interests. Also, make sure the theater portion of your resume is clear and organized by credit (director, stage manager, role, etc). Keeping your resume down to 1-2 pages also helps make your resume a lot easier to read. They have a lot of paperwork to look through and the more accessible yours is, the more you will stand out. When writing a cover letter, make sure to find out the name of the employer your sending it to if you can, instead of simply writing “To Whom It May Concern”. This shows an employer that you took the time to look up their name. Make sure you end with why you want to work at the place you’re applying for; this can leave a great last impression.
- INTERVIEWS: When you are contacted for an interview, it’s always best to ask for a time that’s convenient for your employer, which also works around your schedule. It’s always great to be able to do the interview face to face, but most employers understand that people live all over the country and phone interviews are an option a majority of the time. For phone interviews, be sure to check time zones ahead of time to make sure you are on time for you interview. Find a quiet space in your house or dorm so you can focus solely on the interview. Always looks at the website of your internship beforehand, learn everything you can so you can answer and ask questions intelligently.
Most importantly, BE YOURSELF. They are looking for unique and creative people who have a wide variety of experience in the theater. Don’t be shy, bring all your skills to the table and let them know who you are. If you are planning to work a community theater close to home, or Disney World, I hope that these tips will help you score the perfect summer job next year. May the odds be ever in your favor!