Tennessee Repertory Theatre

Interns at Tennessee Rep have a unique opportunity to gain practical experience from the largest professional theatre in Tennessee. Learn valuable skills from our outstanding staff in both our business and production departments.

Internship Program Job Descriptions

General Requirements

Candidates for internships at Tennessee Repertory Theatre should have a serious interest in pursuing a career in theatre and performance arts. The ideal candidate will be a college student or graduate, but we will also consider high school students with strong recommendations from their teachers or mentors.

All jobs are filled based on intern qualifications, skills, experience, and schedule of availability. At this time, we offer predominantly part-time internships; but we will consider applicants for full-time pre-professional positions, based on our seasonal needs. All part-time internships are unpaid.

We will work with each individual to set a schedule that will benefit both the intern’s and the theatre’s needs. While there are minimum time commitments for every job, the actual schedule varies according to each job assignment. Even though we strive to be flexible, some jobs have a set schedule requirement due to the nature of Tennessee Rep’s production schedule. For example, jobs pertaining to the performance run of the show require that the intern works every performance and part or all of tech week, and in some cases additional rehearsals prior to tech week. The minimum hours for each job are just that – we have set these hours as the fewest one can commit to for a truly beneficial experience. The more time one works at Tennessee Rep, the more one will gain from his or her experience.

If you are a student seeking class credit, we will work with your educational institution to help you meet all the necessary requirements to do so. Because all institutions vary, we will approach all cases on an individual basis.

Departmental Job Descriptions

Marketing and Development

Opportunities, possible duties, and job requirements within each area of interest are as follows:

Development/Fundraising
• Build strong relationships with donors and corporate sponsors
• Donor solicitations, email communications, and donor database management
• Prospect research
• Government and foundation grant proposals
• Cultivation event planning
• Preparation for board of directors meetings
• Must be highly organized and able to multi-task
• Excellent computer and writing skills required

Marketing/Publicity
• Work closely with staff to develop new audiences
• Observe rehearsals and meetings with the artistic staff to develop ideas for effectively marketing productions on a modest budget
• Maintain and create promotional relationships with other non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, target audiences, restaurants, and media outlets
• Assist with audience research, group sales, subscription campaigns, and special events
• Assist with press contacts, photo calls and video shoots
• Collect and archive materials
• Coordinate press mailings, prepare press releases and calendar announcements
• Assist in preparing the program and other materials for each production
• Excellent organizational and computer skills required
• Must have enthusiasm, creativity, and the ability to work both independently and with a small team
• Must have a strong interest in public relations, as well as good administrative and writing skills

Special Events
• Assist the Audience Development Director in administration and implementation of a wide variety of Tennessee Rep special events
• Work with staff and community leaders to produce The Cast Party, Tennessee Rep’s annual fundraiser
• Development and production of educational and outreach activities and promotional events
• Should display a combination of excellent oral, written, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Must be able to multi-task and show attention to detail
• Must be creative, imaginative, and enjoy working with a variety of people

Stage Management

Duties may include:
• Assisting the stage manager in preparation for rehearsals
• Working closely with the Production Assistant during rehearsals and performances
• Assisting in production paperwork
• Attending and assisting with rehearsals
• Organization and maintenance of rehearsal and performance props/costumes
• Working production tech week
• Working backstage during the run of a show at TPAC, in the Johnson or Polk Theaters

Artistic/Direction

Duties may include:
• Literary manager assistance (such as reading, researching, and analysis of new scripts)
• Dramaturgy assistance (such as doing research related to play being produced)
• Observing rehearsals
• Assistant to the director (such as taking notes for the director during rehearsals)
• Assisting the Producing Director/guest director in preparation for rehearsals
• General administrative tasks

Costumes

General costume shop jobs vary according to skill level, schedule and seasonal needs, but all require a bare minimum of six work hours per week. Duties in this area may include:
• Hand sewing
• Machine stitching
• General shop maintenance
• Laundry maintenance

Positions as Assistant to the Designer may be available to qualified applicants according to seasonal needs. A minimum of twelve work hours per week is required for this job. Duties in this position may include:
• Assistance in research and paperwork
• Shopping and pulling from stock
• Assisting in actor fittings
• Patterning
• Machine stitching

Wardrobe positions are available on a per show basis, and require attendance at all related dress rehearsals and performances. Duties in this area may include:
• Observing rehearsals
• Working closely with Wardrobe Manager during production
• Backstage dressing/quick changes
• Compiling wardrobe paperwork
• Laundry maintenance
• Costume repairs
• Wig maintenance

Scene Shop/Prop Shop

General shop positions require a bare minimum of six work hours per week. Duties in this area may include:
• General shop maintenance
• Assist in the construction of sets
• Scenic painting
• Maintenance of prop storage, pulling props and set dressing from storage
• Shopping for props, set dressings, supplies and materials
• Assist in building props and set dressings

Some positions will be available for load-in and load-out of sets. Sets pieces are loaded into either the Polk or Johnson Theaters at TPAC, then assembled in a short period (2-4 working days). This is a great hands-on experience which requires working in a fast-paced setting to assemble a full set for a professional theatrical production. Duties and requirements:
• Must be available to work scheduled dates which fall just prior to tech week and after closing night
• Must have some general scene shop experience
• Strong familiarity with tools
• Will be expected to lift and move heavy items
• Should be able to work in a cooperative team environment

Internship Application (pdf requires Adobe Acrobat software)

Internship Program Guidelines (pdf requires Adobe Acrobat software)