Bernard B. Jacobs Internship Program
The Summer 2011 interns with The Normal Heart playwright Larry Kramer after a workshop
The New Dramatists internship experience offers a unique opportunity to learn the ins and outs of a professional, non-profit arts organization in New York City. As essential members of the New Dramatists staff, the interns provide administrative, maintenance, creative, and clerical support. They serve as the first face of New Dramatists, staffing our front office and serving as liaisons to the many professionals who seek out our resident playwrights’ work. In addition to stage managing for play readings and workshops, the interns work as full-time assistants in our Literary, Casting, Development and Administrative offices. While the interns are not hired within a specific department, their professional aspirations often guide their experience to be focused on a particular discipline.
The New Dramatists internship program provides crucial early-career training to theatrical professionals and has proven to be a reliable stepping stone to careers both within the field as well as at New Dramatists specifically. Two of our current staff members previously held internships here: Morgan Allen (Director of Finance & New Media) and Erin Detrick (Artistic Programs Administrator). Several of our current resident and recent alumni playwrights also once held New Dramatists internships: David Adjmi, Zakiyyah Alexander, Jason Grote, Deborah Stein, and Anne Washburn.
The Perks
An internship with New Dramatists provides great exposure to the playwright’s process, and serious involvement in the many workshops and readings that happen in the building. Our interns are invited to all of New Dramatists’ public events and are given access to complimentary tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Throughout the season, we offer several intern workshops led by our resident playwrights and staff. These workshops focus on the craft of playwriting, on issues affecting the industry, on careers in the theatre, or on topics of interest specifically voiced by the interns. Recent workshops include sessions with Daniel Alexander Jones, David Grimm, Adam Bock, Sarah Ruhl, Anne Washburn & Dominic Taylor.
Expectations of the Job
The best candidates will thrive in a fast-paced environment, have strong written communication skills, computer and general office skills, work well independently, and be incredibly organized.
Self-motivated, enthusiastic individuals excel in such an environment, because an internship at New Dramatists is truly what you make of it. In addition to the general duties described above, we also encourage candidates to indicate their interest in the specific job functions listed to the right.
Compensation and Scheduling
Interns are provided with a weekly stipend ($25/wk for part-time work; $50/wk for full-time work) and college credit where available.
When filling out the application form, please indicate your scheduling preference (full-time or part-time). Note that we give preference to full-time applicants. Full-time interns work 40 hours a week (5 days per week). Part-time interns work a minimum of 24 hours a week (3 days per week), and must be able to commit to a regular schedule. After we accept intern candidates, we put them on a set weekly schedule. Daily shifts may include: 1) a normal work day (10am-6pm); 2) an evening shift (Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday from 1pm-9pm); 3) a Saturday shift from 11am-4pm.
Please indicate your full availability once we offer you a position, as the regularity of our interns’ schedules is crucial for assigning stage management duties for workshops. Our writers also schedule several multi-day workshops throughout the year, and so preference will be given to those internship candidates who have the availability to stage manage these workshops.
Downloads
| Internship Application (178.5 KB) |
Areas of Focus
New Dramatists interns participate in a wide-variety of shared duties across the entire organization during their tenure. In addition to these responsibilities, interns are given the opportunity to focus some of their time at New Dramatists working in one of the following specific job functions.
Development
This position is ideal for graduate students interested in fundraising or theatre management, as well as independent artists seeking to gain more perspective on how to fund their theatre company. You will work directly with the development staff on special events, research, mailings, funding proposals, and processing donations. Fall applicants will be involved with our annual appeal to donors, while Spring applicants will help plan and coordinate the New Dramatists Spring Luncheon, our annual benefit.
Literary Services
This position is ideal for aspiring dramaturgs and literary managers. You will work directly with the artistic programs staff on the 8-month long admissions process, which begins in July and ends in May. You will help to keep track of the resident playwrights’ creative output. There are also opportunities for writing and editing assignments such as articles for our monthly bulletin, or coverage reports for plays outside of New Dramatists.
Stage Management/Casting
This position is ideal for aspiring company managers and casting directors. While all of our interns perform stage management, this position will allow you to work more closely with our casting department in hiring actors for our many readings and workshops. You may also help coordinate our international playwright exchanges and general auditions. Fall applicants will provide support for the Playtime Developmental Studio, a two-week new play workshop. Spring applicants will work on the Composer-Librettist Studio, a two-week musical workshop.
Application Deadlines
A complete application should include: 1) the application form; 2) a statement of interest; 3) two letters of recommendation from theatre professionals; and 4) your resume.
We will request interviews as necessary. The application deadlines are as follows:
Fall (September – December): July 15
Spring (January – May): December 1
Summer (June – August): March 31
Please note: applications must be received by these deadlines, not postmarked by them.
Executive and Artistic Directors’ Assistant
This position is ideal for graduate students interested in theatre management, or for independent artists running their own company. You will report directly to our Executive Director and our Artistic Director, and assist them in the day-to-day responsibilities of running an arts organization. Potential assignments include scheduling meetings, taking notes, performing correspondence, preparing materials for the Board of Directors, assisting with our annual audit, etc.
Bernard B. Jacobs
This program is named in memory of the late President of the Shubert Organization, who discovered and mentored many talented theatre people, young and old, during his lifetime.
Facebook
Twitter