Internships - Dobama Theatre

Interested in an internship at Dobama Theatre? We are Northeast Ohio’s leading professional theatre dedicated to Cleveland premieres of contemporary plays by emerging and established playwrights – one of the region's only full-time Equity Small Professional Theatres. Interns gain professional experience helping to produce some of the best new plays in American Theatre for Cleveland audiences.



WHY INTERN AT DOBAMA THEATRE?

Dobama Theatre offers hands-on experience in artistic and management areas, including Arts Management, Finance, Marketing, Development, Event Planning, Stage Management, Box Office/Front of House, Lighting, Sound, Costume, Scenic Design, Projection Design, Directing and Props. Interns gain valuable experience and are presented with many networking opportunities with theatre professionals in the greater Cleveland area.



ADMINISTRATION / BOX OFFICE

• Minimum 20 hour/week commitment

• Preshow talk outlines

• Adding to and maintaining actor files

• Drafting press pieces and updating online calendars

• Cleaning and show prep of theatre space, including house manager area, green room, dressing rooms, and theatre

• Answer phones and process single ticket purchases/memberships

• Assist with marketing efforts

• Research new business partners and complete contracts

• Contact groups for group sales and show-specific outreach

• Assist with special events throughout the season as needed, including, but not limited to: Story Slam, Kids’ Fest Benefit, etc.



PRODUCTION

• Approximately 15-20 hours/week office commitment (vary during production weeks)

• Audition proctoring for generals and call-backs

• Available for setup and running of special events throughout the season

• Cleaning and maintenance of space, including prop room, green room, dressing rooms

• Assist General Manager with Playwrights’ GYM readings

• Production assist for Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival and Dobama Emerging

Actors Program (summer interns only)

• Production Assist at least one mainstage production



DESIGN / TECHNICAL

• Approximately 15-20 hours/week office commitment; vary during production weeks

• Assist Technical Director in construction of set and set pieces

• Assist Technical Director in maintenance of set and set pieces as needed

• Regularly shadow resident designers and technicians. Shadowing sessions are scheduled

with the General Manager and may take place outside of regular hours.

• Production Assist at least one mainstage production

• Attend all production meetings and tech rehearsals for shows in which intern is directly involved

• Strikes and load-ins

• Work periods are from first day of strike through second preview

• Schedules are coordinated directly with Technical Director in conjunction with the General Manager.

• Design interns are required to assist corresponding supervisor on each show for the duration of the internship.



STAGE MANAGEMENT

• Approximately 20 hours/week office time; vary during production weeks

• Stage Management interns are required to Assistant Stage Manage or Production Assist at least two mainstage productions. Summer interns will Assistant Stage Manage the Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival and Dobama Emerging Actors Program

• All Stage Management interns are required to complete two front-of-house training

sessions with the General Manager

• Stage Management interns may enroll in the Equity Membership Candidacy Program and begin earning points toward eventual membership in Actors’ Equity

• Stage Management intern schedules are coordinated directly with the corresponding supervisor in conjunction with the General Manager



DIRECTING / ARTISTIC DIRECTION

• 15-20 hours/week in office in addition to production requirements (summer interns 4

hours/week)

• Assistant Production Manage at least one mainstage production

• Assistant Direct 1-2 mainstage productions

• Summer interns Assistant Direct the Summer Event and help with Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwrighting Festival and the Dobama Emerging Actors Program, as needed.

• May be asked to assist in any of the above duties outlined for all interns as needed by production, technical and administrative staff

• Artistic Direction interns assist the General Manager with operations, development and management duties as needed



ALL

• All interns are required to complete at least one 6-hour office shift per week

• Assist with strike and build of each mainstage production

• Complete a Box Office training with the Patron Services Manager

• Assist with special events (i.e. galas, season announcements, etc.) for the duration of the internship

• Complete one shadow session with a resident designer; this may include assistance with strike or build of each production. Shadowing sessions are scheduled with General Manager and may take place outside of regular hours



WHEN ARE INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE?

While applications are accepted on a rolling basis, internships are available for either the Mainstage Season (September – May) or for the Summer Session (May – August).







WHAT ARE THE HOURS LIKE?

They differ, but generally fall somewhere between 15-20 hours per week. For Administrative/Box Office Interns, that time might be exactly 20 hours per week during regular office hours. For a Technical Intern, that might mean two or three weeks of 40 hours, followed by three weeks of not coming to the theatre at all. For a Stage Management Intern, rehearsal times generally fall in the evenings but Interns may not be required to attend every rehearsal. We are flexible and will do all we can to accommodate outside schedules.



**All Interns are required to complete one 4-6 hour shift in the Administrative Office per week while not in production.



ARE INTERNSHIPS PAID OR UNPAID AND WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Internships are unpaid and open to anyone looking for theatre experience including undergraduate students, graduate students and recent graduates looking for an opportunity to work in a professional theatre setting. Several senior project opportunities are also available to high school seniors at the end of each spring semester. We do, however, train those interested in front-of-house duties (box office, bartender, house manager, etc) and interns may earn money performing those jobs in many instances.



HOW DO I APPLY?

To apply, simply fill out an application and email it along with a cover letter and your resume to Dobama's Assistant to the Managing and Artistic Directors Colin Anderson at canderson@dobama.org.

*Please note: we only accept electronic applications (no phone calls please)