SF Shakespeare Festival

Intern Company

It is still too early to say exactly what form our usual summer programs, Free Shakespeare in the Park and Bay Area Shakespeare Camps, will take. We are exploring many different scenarios at once, and our path forward will likely become more clear by the middle of April if not before. Depending on the scenario, we may still be able to offer some kinds of internships - though they may take an entirely different form than what we originally planned! Please keep applying and stay tuned for further information.

Are you a high school or college student aged 14 and up, looking to launch your professional theatre career and serve your community? SF Shakes is looking for motivated, professionally-oriented young people to join our summer intern company!

APPRENTICES are rising and current high school students aged 14-18. Time commitments for apprentices are less intense.

INTERNS are rising and current adult college students aged 18+. Time commitments for interns are more intense, including some late-night hours. Interns are eligible for need-based travel stipends.

Education Intern and Apprentices : 10+ interns and apprentices
• Assist at Bay Area Shakespeare Camps for 2-week sessions, June 8-August 7. Camps take place all over the Bay Area.
• Teaching experience not necessary but preferred.
• Mentored by members of the Resident Artist Company and Education staff.
• Must be available to be onsite for at least one full 2-week camp session and training (possibly May 30-31, but more likely June 6-7)
• Opportunities for promotions to paid Teaching Artist may be available for college interns.

Education Program Administration Intern : 1-2 intern(s) (college students only)
• Assist Education Director Phil Lowery and Education staff from May-August.
• Requires strong interest in supporting youth theatre education. Must be familiar with Shakespeare’s works.
• Mentored by members of the Education staff.
• Must be available for at least six weeks from May-August and training (possibly May 30-31, but more likely June 6-7)

Literary Intern: 1 intern (college students only)
• Assist Free Shakespeare in the Park director and dramaturge with research and program notes. Create dramaturgical research file for cast.
• Assist cast in rehearsal with text notes, research, time period details, etc. Provide program content.
• Assist with social media promotion of the production, including blog posts, Twitter and Facebook posts, etc.
• Mentored by Artistic Director Rebecca J. Ennals, Director Elizabeth Carter, and Communications Specialist Edmund Campos.
• Must be available in May for pre-production discussions and research and for all rehearsals June 9-July 12.
• Working Hospitality for at least 4 performances, including audience interaction and engagement, survey administration, customer service (setting up chairs, handing out programs, etc), and concessions.

Performance Interns and Apprentices : 3-4 full-time interns and apprentices
• Performance interns play non-speaking, ensemble roles in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of King Lear, understudy professional actors, and perform in the Green Show.
• Performance interns must be available June 9-Sept 27. Some conflicts may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
• Assist with set-up and tear-down before and after every performance, and assist with load-ins and strikes as the production moves to different locations.
• Mentored by Artistic Director Rebecca J. Ennals, Director Elizabeth Carter, and Resident Artists of the company.
• NOTE: Audition required for this position (can be submitted via video). Please submit a 1-minute Shakespeare monologue.
• Working Hospitality for at least 4 performances, including audience interaction and engagement, survey administration, customer service (setting up chairs, handing out programs, etc), and concessions.

Production Interns and Apprentices : 6-10 interns and apprentices
• Assist in the areas of Props, Wardrobe, Sound, and Lighting.
• Responsibilities include assisting the Props Master, Wardrobe Supervisor, Master Electrician, and Sound Technician with tech rehearsals, set-up and tear-down before and after every performance, and load-ins and strikes as the production moves to different locations.
• Mentored by the supervisors listed above, as well as designers.
• Must be available for training in June, tech rehearsals and at least half of all performances, June 2 -Sept 27. Some exceptions can be made – please let us know your conflicts.
• Working Hospitality for at least 4 performances, including audience interaction and engagement, survey administration, customer service (setting up chairs, handing out programs, etc), and concessions.

Stage Management Interns and Apprentices : 2-4 interns and apprentices
• Assist the Equity Stage Manager and ASM during rehearsals and backstage during performances.
• Responsibilities include taking blocking notes, being on book during rehearsals, standing in for missing actors, setting props, set-up and tear-down before and after every performance, assisting with cues and backstage business, and assisting with load-ins and strikes as the production moves to different locations.
• Mentored by Equity Stage Manager Karen Schleifer and non-Equity ASM
• Must be available for at least half of all prep time, rehearsals and performances (shared position), June 2 – Sept 27. Priority given to those with best availability.
• Working Hospitality for at least 4 performances, including audience interaction and engagement, survey administration, customer service (setting up chairs, handing out programs, etc), and concessions.

Internships can be tailored to your schedule to some degree, so please indicate your available dates and conflicts when you apply. There are three ways to apply:

• APPLY ONLINE NOW! And be sure to upload supporting documents and video with your application!
• ...or scan and email your completed application
• ...or print and mail it to SF Shakes c/o Internships, P.O. Box 460937, San Francisco, CA 94146.

SF Shakes encourages applicants of all genders, races, ethnicities, abilities, and economic backgrounds. Some travel scholarships are available for college students with financial need.