Gain practical backstage experience in a professional theatrical setting
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Since 1975, Broadway At Music Circus, in cooperation with American River College, has been educating and nurturing aspiring theatre artists with invaluable hands-on training and experience in professional theatre.
Interns will have the unique opportunity to work closely with union professionals including The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), United Scenic Artists (USA), Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and Actors’ Equity Association (AEA).
This program is highly recommended for college students, and high school students entering their senior year. While no prior technical theatre experience is required, applicants must demonstrate a strong passion for the arts, focused commitment, and an eagerness to learn through collaboration.
BENEFITS
- Earn 4 units of College Credit through American River College, paid for by Broadway Sacramento
- Tickets to Music Circus Monday for all six productions
- Resume building workshops
- Weekly Wednesday Talkbacks with members of the Broadway At Music Circus creative teams, staff, actors, and artisans, with dinner provided. Past speakers include:
- Glenn Casale: Director for Broadway, National Tour, TV
- Jared Gertner: Actor on Broadway and TV
- Brittany Hartman: Wig Designer for Broadway, TV, SNL and NBC Studios
- Craig Horness: Stage Manager for Broadway At Music Circus and Ford’s Theatre Society
- David Neville: Lighting Designer for National and International Tours, MET Opera, TV
“My favorite Talkback speaker was Glenn Casale. Being able to hear from someone with such an impressive resume was a really positive experience, and he had a lot of good advice that I felt could be applied to my goals in the industry, even though I don’t want to go into directing.”
– 2022 Intern
DEPARTMENTS
STAGE MANAGEMENT: Develop skills to coordinate properties and scenic elements; serve on the performance running crew under the direction of the stage management team.
- Work side by side with AEA Stage Management team to provide support for all aspects of rehearsal and performances.
- Assist with rehearsal and performance setup, clean-up and other duties as assigned.
- Observe the rehearsal process and gain knowledge of Actor’s Equity Association rules.
- Serve as a member of the scenic or props run crew during rehearsals & performances.
WARDROBE: Develop skills to properly care for, handle, store, and maintain professionally designed theatrical costumes and learn what goes into working backstage on a professional wardrobe team.
- Learn to assist actors during performances with costume changes backstage including quick changes.
- Learn to properly care for, handle, store, and maintain professionally designed theatrical costumes including the knowledge needed to launder, steam, and iron safely and efficiently.
- Gain a broader understanding of the intricacies behind the scenes of the rehearsal process and backstage during performances.
- Learn to read costume tracking, dressing lists, scenic breakdowns and other documents used in a wardrobe department.
SOUND: Work directly with Broadway At Music Circus Sound team to develop skills to design, install, maintain, and execute theatrical sound under the supervision of the sound team.
- Assist Mic Dressers with maintenance & distribution of body microphones for the acting company. Assist in mic checks for performances.
- Provide support for the Sound team during load-ins, load-outs and technical rehearsals.
- Observe the rehearsal and performance process from backstage and the sound booth.
- Assist Sound Assistant by working on Sound script. Learn how to use and operate sound cue playback program, QLab, and how to make sound paperwork.
COSTUMES: Learn about and participate in all departments that contribute to a professional theatrical costume shop. Develop skills, including but not limited to, costume coordination, costume crafts, and garment construction under the supervision of the costume shop team.
- Participate in the upkeep and organization of all areas of the costume department, from the fitting room to costume storage.
- Assist Costume Design team and other costume shop staff prepare for fittings.
- Learn the steps involved from the initial actor costume fitting to completion of garments.
- Develop basic sewing skills necessary for costume repairs and other costume tasks.
PRODUCTION CENTER: Develop skills to organize/maintain properties and scenic elements under the supervision of the production center team.
- Learn the fundamentals of scenic art and props creation utilizing a range of materials, including paints, textures, and foams.
- Assist in organizing, maintaining, and transporting properties and scenic elements.
- Support the Scenic department and IATSE crew as directed during load-ins and load-outs.
- Gain an understanding of and implement basic hand tool and shop safety practices.
WIGS, HAIR & MAKEUP: Develop skills to set, fit, and properly maintain wigs, facial hair, and makeup designs under the supervision of the hair, wig, and makeup teams.
- Gain an understanding of the supplies, tools, and equipment used in a theatrical Hair & Makeup department.
- Maintain and help organize the wig room and supplies used.
- Assist the Hair, Wig & Makeup department dress performers in wigs, hairpieces, and specialty makeup for dress rehearsals and performances including backstage quick changes.
- Learn basic wig care and maintenance techniques, including washing, proper storage, and how to maintain styles during production.
SCHEDULE BY DEPARTMENT
COSTUME
Costume Internships are part-time M-F in operating hours 9 am-6 pm from May 20-August 30, customized schedule available.
PRODUCTION CENTER
Production Center Internships are full-time M-F 8 am -4:30 pm and will include load-ins and strikes of productions. Positions are split into two tracks, as seen below:
TRACK ONE:
May 20 – July 14
TRACK TWO:
June 30 – August 30
STAGE MANAGEMENT, WARDROBE, SOUND AND WIGS, HAIR & MAKE-UP
Stage Management, Wardrobe, Sound, and Wigs, Hair, & Make-up Internships are full-time and split into two tracks, as seen below:
TRACK ONE:
May 28 – August 11
42ND STREET:
June 10 (Rehearsals)
June 11 – June 16 (Performances)
OFF: June 11 – June 24
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF:
June 25 – July 8 (Rehearsal)
July 9 – July 14 (Performances)
OFF: July 15 – July 22
WAITRESS:
July 23 – August 5 (Rehearsal),
August 6 – August 11 (Performances)
TRACK TWO:
June 11 – September 1
SPONGEBOB:
June 11 – June 24 (Rehearsal)
June 25 – July 30 (Performances)
OFF: July 1 – July 8
SUNSET BOULEVARD:
July 9 – July 22 (Rehearsal),
July 23 – July 28 (Performances)
OFF: July 29 – August 5
JERSEY BOYS:
August 6 – August 19 (Rehearsal),
August 20 – September 1 (Performances)
Please indicate on your application which track you prefer.
Be mindful of personal conflicts and choose a track you can fully commit to.
“This program was wonderful. I feel that I have become not only a better employee but a better performer by simply being in the room during rehearsals. I will probably talk about this summer for the rest of my life.”
– 2022 Intern
APPLICATION FOR THE 2024 SEASON ARE NOW CLOSED. PLEASE CHECK BACK IN JANUARY 2025 FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is my schedule going to be like?
A: Schedules vary depending on your track and department. Rehearsal weeks are 9 am-5 pm, Tech Rehearsals are 2 pm-10 pm, and during performance week, you are in a show schedule that includes nights and weekends. (https://www.broadwaysacramento.com/broadway-at-music-circus/)
Q: How many hours a week will I be engaged in the program?
A: Depending on your chosen track (see below), most tracks will be 6 days a week with one week off between each production.
Costume: 20-25 hours a week (15 weeks)
Production Center: 40-41 hours a week (7.5 weeks)
Stage Management: 52-55 hours a week (Track 1: 9 weeks, Track 2: 10 weeks)
Wardrobe: 40-45 hours a week (Track 1: 9 weeks, Track 2: 10 weeks)
Sound: 40-45 hours a week (Track 1: 9 weeks, Track 2: 10 weeks)
Wigs, Hair, & Makeup: 30-40 hours a week (Track 1: 9 weeks, Track 2: 10 weeks)
Q: Is housing or transportation provided?
A: No. You must have local housing and reliable transportation.
Q: Do I need a work permit?
A: Only if you are 18 years old or younger.
Q: Do I have to be a student at American River College to apply?
A: You do not need to be a current student at American River College, but you will be required to register at American River College if you are accepted into the Professional Assistant program. Enrollment and tuition for the Work Experience course is handled by Broadway Sacramento.
