Bay Street Theater Announces 2019 Summer College Internship Program

Bay Street Theater offers the opportunity for college interns to experience first-hand the inner workings of a dynamic, professional theater, garnering invaluable work skills in the various aspects of technical and artistic production, as well as arts administration. By actively working with trade professionals, many with Broadway credentials, throughout the rigorously scheduled rehearsal and production process, interns directly explore their own suitability to the demands and rewards of a life in the theater.

Internships are available in Acting Apprentice, Scenic Stagecraft, Lighting & Sound, Wardrobe, Box Office, Arts Administration, Marketing, Development and many more. A weekly stipend is provided along with housing and some meals.

"For over twenty-seven years, the Bay Street Theater College Internship Program has introduced hundreds of aspiring young theater practitioners to all aspects of the professional theater," says Artistic Director Scott Schwartz. "Our interns are an integral part of our company; they work closely with award-winning artists and take leadership roles in creating the work on our stage. Here at Bay Street, we continue to be a leader in arts education and career development for talented young professionals."

New in 2018 and to be continued again in 2019, Bay Street's "Apprentice Initiative" adds four Acting Apprentice Interns and a specifically focused Directing/Producing Apprentice to be a part of the summer program. As part of this Initiative, all interns will participate in creating a production that will run for a limited number of performances in August to be directed, performed and designed entirely by the intern population under the supervision of the Artistic Director, Associate Artistic Director and Technical Department Heads. In addition to the "Apprentice Initiative," Bay Street's College Internship Program features workshops, training sessions, master classes, and team building opportunities for all participants.

Bay Street Theater is a not-for-profit theater located on the beautiful Long Wharf, in Sag Harbor, NY on the Eastern End of Long Island. The summertime mainstage season features the mounting of 3-4 full theatrical productions, weekly comedy events and musical concerts, the Bay Street Under the Stars annual outdoor production, arts education workshops and camps for children, an annual fundraiser Gala and more.

Bay Street offers a friendly and fun, yet focused environment where individuals come to learn and build their careers. Through ongoing managerial support and feedback, as well as professional development activities and workshops, the internship program strives to provide the next generation of technical theater, actors, and not-for-profit arts leaders the skills and knowledge necessary to advance to careers in their chosen fields. While working in various production capacities throughout the season, interns focus their internship in particular fields of interest, as well as assist designers and/or department heads and participate backstage as running crew during performances.

Bay Street Theater recently announced the arrival of Allen O'Reilly, the new Director of Education and Community Outreach. "Bay Street Theater has the most comprehensive opportunities for both administrative and technical interns that I have encountered in my career in regional theater," says O'Reilly. "The inclusion of acting apprentices makes the program truly unique."

The Summer College Internship Program runs from May 20 - August 17, 2019. For production/technical interns, priority consideration is given to those who are available for extended weeks from May 13 - September 2, 2019. Application deadline is January 14 for priority consideration and after January 14 by availability only. Interested applicants can visit www.baystreet.org/page/internships for more information and to apply.

Photo by Michael Heller