intern program

Paid internships in our summer programs

Applications for our 2024 internships are closed.

Are you looking to launch your professional theatre career AND serve your community? SF Shakes is looking for motivated, professionally-oriented students and young people to join our summer intern company.

Check back here next year to apply for internships in 2025, and see below for an example of the internships we offered in 2024.

Are you looking to launch your professional theater career AND serve your community? San Francisco Shakespeare Festival seeks motivated, professionally-oriented students and young people to join our summer intern company.

SF Shakes internships are open to anyone 16-25 years old and/or a current student. Our interns are paid to perform various tasks in support of our summer programs. Interns will work an average of 20 hours/week and be paid $18.50/hr.

Additionally, interns attend workshops on various aspects of theater. Past workshops have included unions – AEA, SAG, AFTRA, etc., the design process for a production, intimacy direction, stage combat, movement, etc.; workshop topics are informed by the interns’ interests and needs. In addition, each intern is provided a mentorship opportunity and will get to add to their portfolio based on their Internship.

No housing is able to be provided. To apply for internships, please complete the following form:

performance

Performance interns play supporting ensemble roles in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Cymbeline and understudy professional actors.

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2 interns
$17.00/hour
Responsibilities also include assisting 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. Interns may also be asked to participate in hospitality or publicity events. (All hours are paid.)
Performance interns should be available June – Sept, 2023. Some conflicts may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
During rehearsals (first 3 weeks), hours will be approximately 35-40 hr/week. During performances, hours will be approximately 12-15 hr/week, with an additional 4-5 hours for brush up rehearsals and strike week.
Mentored by the Artistic Director, the Free Shakes director, and Resident Artists of the company.
Video audition required for this position. Please submit a 1-minute Shakespeare monologue.

stage management

Stage Management interns assist the Free Shakespeare in the Park Production Manager, Stage Manager, and Deck Manager during rehearsals and backstage during performances.

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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 in-person performance or film shoot, assisting with cues and backstage business, and assisting with load-in and strikes as the production moves to different locations. Interns may also be asked to participate in hospitality or publicity events. (All hours are paid.)
Maintain a clean, safe, equitable, and organized working environment.
Stage Management interns should be available for prep time, rehearsals, and performances, June- Sept 2024. Some conflicts may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Priority given to those with best availability.
During rehearsals (first three weeks), hours will be approximately 35-40 hr/week. During performances, hours will be approximately 12-15 hours/week, with an additional 4-5 hours for brush-up rehearsals and strike week.
Mentored by Production Manager, Stage Manager and Deck Manager.

production

Production interns assist Free Shakespeare in the Park in the areas of Props, Wardrobe and Sound.

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Responsibilities include assisting the Props designer, Wardrobe Supervisor, and Sound Technician with rehearsals ( rehearsals props, rehearsal instruments, rehearsals costumes, and accessories etc), designer run and tech rehearsals, set-up and tear-down before and after every performance, and load-in and strikes as the production moves to different locations.
Maintain a clean, safe, equitable, and organized working environment.
Production interns should be available for training, tech rehearsals, and performances from June -Sept 2024. Some conflicts may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Priority is given to those with the best availability.
During rehearsals (first three weeks), hours will be approximately 30-40 hr/week. During performances, hours will be approximately 12-15 hours/week, with an additional 4-5 hours for brush-up rehearsals and strike week.
Mentored by the Artistic Director, Designers (Props, Costume, Sound), and Production Manager.

hospitality

Hospitality interns assist with Free Shakespeare in the Park audience interaction and engagement, including survey administration, customer service (setting up chairs, handing out programs, etc), and concessions.

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Responsibilities include setting up FOH tables, putting out A-frames and reserved signs, Setting up chairs and blankets, handing out visors, being of assistance by pointing out restrooms and sharing information about the show times, etc in addition to assisting with set-up and tear-down before and after every performance, load-ins, and strikes as the production moves to different locations.
Maintain a clean, safe, equitable, and organized working environment.
Hospitality interns should be available for at least 4 weekends of performances from June 15- September 29 and some rehearsal and training time in June/July, depending on responsibilities.
Hours will be approximately 12-15 hours/week, with an additional 4-5 hours for brush-up rehearsals and strike week.
Mentored by the Hospitality Manager and other SF Shakes staff.

Literary

Literary interns assist the Free Shakes director and dramaturge with research and program notes.

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Responsibilities include creating a dramaturgical research file for the cast, assisting rehearsals with text notes, research, time period details, etc., update the welcome guide for each venue, providing audience program content, and assisting with social media promotion of the production, including blog posts and social media posts.
Maintain a clean, safe, equitable, and organized working environment.
Collaborating with the Assistant Director to create a pre-show script. The pre-show is performed to convey a land acknowledgment, character introductions, plot information, and other key information.
Literary interns are encouraged to be available for a script workshop in March/April. They are required to be available in May for pre-production discussions and research during rehearsals in June-July. This internship may be combined with other internships (stage management, production, hospitality, education) and to support audience/community engagement activities.
Attend Engagement Team meetings and work closely with the artistic team to promote audience engagement.
Mentored by the Artistic Director and Marketing team.

education

Education interns assist Education staff as Assistant Teachers at 2-week sessions of Shakespeare Camps. In addition, Interns are required to attend a week of training at the beginning of the summer.

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$25.00/hour for aftercare during camp sessions.
Requires a strong interest in supporting youth theater education.
Responsibilities include and are not limited to: leading warm-ups, supervising aftercare, teaching activities to campers, shadowing managers/teaching artists, and assisting with camp administration.
Maintain a clean, safe, equitable, and organized working environment.
Education interns should be available for at least two weeks from June to August and training in late June/early July.
Mentored by members of the Education staff.

intern program

Applications for our 2024 internships are closed.

performance

stage management

production

hospitality

Literary

education

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