The Bard SummerScape Internship Program 2012

The Bard SummerScape Internship Program is an opportunity for college students and young theater professionals to gain hands-on experience in theater production and administration. Paid internships are offered in the following areas:
• Technical theater
• Stage management
• Production management
• Costumes
• Hair and makeup

Our interns are bright, creative, reliable, and self-motivated individuals with basic training and experience in theater. They are committed to strengthening their skills and talents as they work alongside professional directors, designers, and technicians to build, mount, and run SummerScape productions.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

About Bard SummerScape

Bard SummerScape is a seven-week festival of the performing arts held during the months of July and August on the campus of Bard College. Founded in 2003, the festival features professional opera, dance, theater, music, and cabaret productions, and a film festival. SummerScape is anchored by the two-week Bard Music Festival, which focuses on a single composer’s work and influences, and celebrates its 23rd year in 2012. SummerScape attracts artists and performing arts audiences from around the world. Concerts and productions are held at several venues on the Bard campus, including the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.

The Venues

The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College is an architecturally significant complex that was designed as an environment for world-class artistic presentation in the Hudson Valley. It inspires risk-taking, provocative performances in opera and orchestral, chamber, and choral music, as well as theater and dance productions by American and international artists. The Center was designed by the distinguished architect Frank Gehry. It bears the name of the late Richard B. Fisher, the former chair of Bard’s Board of Trustees. The Fisher Center is also home to Bard College’s Theater and Dance Programs. It houses two theaters, as well as dance and drama studios. The Sosnoff Theater seats approximately 800, while Theater Two, a modified proscenium, can accommodate approximately 250 seats.

The Spiegeltent, located across from the Fisher Center during the SummerScape season, is a huge wooden pavilion that is imported to Bard from Europe, where such tents have been a tradition since the early 20th century. The “Mirror Tent” is a marvel of engineering, comprising 3,000 detachable parts, with an interior of carved wood surfaces, parquet floor, beveled mirrors, stained-glass windows, and velvet canopies. On weekend afternoons and evenings during the seven-week SummerScape season, the theater-in-the-round is the stage for a variety of performers, from cabaret acts to musicians to acrobats. A restaurant serves lunch and dinner, and drinks and snacks are available from the bar during and after performances.

Technical Theater Internship

Technical theater interns work on all productions under the guidance of the technical director in association with master carpenters, master electricians, and shop supervisors. The program is designed to develop backstage production skills by providing experience in the following areas of production:

• Electrics
• AV
• Scenic carpentry
• Props
• Stage hand: training and participate in load-in crew, running crew, and changeover crew

Daily assignments depend on the needs of the current production. When possible, assignments accommodate the intern’s specific area of interest. Shop maintenance and safety are also part of the daily routine.

Requirements

• At least 18 years old
• Applicant should be able-bodied and have practical knowledge and background in technical theater, electrics, basic shop tools, as well as backstage experience. Experience with AV, carpentry crafts, set dressing, props construction, and scenic painting and installation a plus.

Stage Management Internship

Stage management interns assist the production stage managers in running all rehearsals and performances. Interns are expected to participate fully in the pre-production, rehearsal process, tech, and running of SummerScape operas and dramatic productions. Some interns have the opportunity to work directly with AEA production stage managers and assistant stage managers. Intern responsibilities include setting up and maintaining the rehearsal hall, being on book, and assisting in all aspects of stage management.

Requirements

• Experience in musical theater or opera stage management
• Strong computer skills
• Valid driver's license
• Ability to read music (opera interns only)

Production Management Internship

Under the supervision of the production manager and the assistant production manager, production-management interns assist in the daily administrative and production operations of technical production. Responsibilities include general office duties, research for props and scenery, company management of crew, and tracking production schedules as well as maintaining archival records.

Requirements:

• Organizational and multi-tasking skills are essential, as are communication and research skills and a practical knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience in one or more areas of production is desirable.
• Working knowledge of opera, music, stage management, and theater is a plus.
• Candidate must be highly organized, and detail oriented. Computer and math skills are a must.
• Valid driver's license and vehicle.

Costuming Internship

Costume interns work on all productions under the guidance of the costume shop supervisor in association with the costume designers, professional drapers, and stitchers in costume construction, wardrobe maintenance, and dressing. Interns are expected to participate in wardrobe stock maintenance and to run wardrobe crew. Shop maintenance and safety are also part of the daily routine.

Requirements:

• Applicant should be able-bodied and possess basic sewing skills, have practical knowledge and background in costume construction, stitching, alterations, and craftwork as well as wardrobe experience. Experience in millinery, fittings, fabric manipulation, and cutting is a plus.

Hair & Makeup Internship

Hair and makeup interns have the opportunity to work with professional theatrical hair and makeup artists to learn and develop makeup skills, hair and wig styling, and wig and facial hair construction. Under the supervision of the hair and makeup supervisor, interns are expected to facilitate the needs of the shop and contribute to the running of drama and opera productions.

Requirements:

• Applicant should have practical knowledge of cosmetology, basic application, basic hair, and wig work. Backstage experience and experience with casualty makeup, prosthetics, character makeup, facial hair, and hair extensions a plus.

Expectations

Applicants should regard the Bard SummerScape Internship Program as a full-time commitment of at least 40 hours per week from June through August. Not all internships are of the same duration but all start and end dates fall within the months of June, July, and August.

Since hours and duties vary with different departmental assignments, taking on additional work outside of the internship is not possible. Interns must provide their own transportation and be willing to work the long hours that a production schedule requires.

Interns are expected to be able to lift, push, or maneuver 50-70 lbs., either alone or with assistance from others.

Interns are expected to possess talent for diplomacy, extreme tact, and discretion.

Housing, Travel and Perks

Housing for interns is provided by the festival in Bard College dormitories at a cost of $70.00/week. This housing fee is automatically deducted from your paycheck. All rooms are singles with shared kitchen and baths. All rooms have Ethernet ports for computer use.

Travel: travel expenses to and from Bard College are the responsibility of the intern.

Perks: complimentary SummerScape and Spiegeltent event tickets as available, as is entrance to SpiegelClub, company picnics, and events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer internships in acting?
We do not offer acting internships. 

What type of internships do you offer?
We offer internships in the following areas: technical theater, stage management, production management, costuming, and hair and makeup.

Who is eligible for the Bard SummerScape internship?
The internship program is designed for students, recent graduates, and young professionals who will be or are in the process of making the transition from the academic environment to professional theater. No particular degree is required for any of these internships. While qualification requirements differ from internship to internship, all of our interns must show a desire to further their careers in theater.

Are SummerScape internships available for high school students?
Unfortunately, no. Our internships are generally inappropriate for high school students.

How are interns compensated?
Interns are paid an hourly rate. Interns receive payment in the form of a Bard College check every two weeks, following the Bard College payroll schedule. Interns may choose to receive their paychecks in hand or via direct deposit. Direct-deposit service is available from the intern’s second paycheck onwards. Please note that all official documentation will be necessary for hiring (I-9, federal, and state withholding forms). Taxes are deducted from each paycheck.

Can I earn academic credit through this internship program?
Academic credit for the Bard College SummerScape Internship Program is at the discretion of the sponsoring college or university and is arranged by the individual intern. The production manager evaluates the intern’s performance as required by the sponsoring college or university.

Is housing available?
Housing is available at a cost of $70 per week in one of the Bard College residence halls. Housing includes a fully furnished single room with shared baths and kitchens, and is located within walking distance of the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Interns are assigned single rooms; doubles are available upon request. The $70 weekly housing fee is automatically deducted from paychecks.

What time commitment is required? If I am a SummerScape intern, can I hold an additional job?
Our summer internships are full-time, short-term engagements that span from early June to late August. The production manager assigns each intern a start and an end date. Internships require a full-time commitment, often including evening and weekend work. Holding another job is not possible for SummerScape interns.

When is the best time to submit my application?
If you submit your application earlier, we suggest that you follow up a month before the deadline to make sure your application is on file. Note that we receive many more applications than we can accept. Regrettably, we cannot review applications that are incomplete or late. 

When should I expect to hear back?
We will notify you that we have received your completed application within two weeks, via e-mail. Interviews are scheduled as early as one week after the application deadline, and as late as two months after the deadline.

Are in-person interviews scheduled?
Yes—when distance permits, we interview candidates in person. We can also schedule phone interviews. Specific departments may invite second interview candidates to an in-person interview if necessary.

What if I have additional questions?
Please note that we do not accept phone calls regarding internships. If you have additional questions, we are more than happy to answer them via e-mail. Please send your questions to anthony@bard.edu. 

Thank you for your interest in the Bard College SummerScape Internship Program.