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 learn from and 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
- $25 per day stipend
- Tickets to Broadway Sacramento Community Night for all select productions
- Attend our Broadway Summer Dance Class Series for free
- Resume building workshops
- Weekly Friday 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.”
– Production 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 set up, 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
Costumes Internships are flexible, but ideally are 3 full days per week (9am-6pm) from May 19-August 22. Schedules can be customized.
PRODUCTION CENTER
Production Center Internships are full-time M-F 8AM-4:30PM with the exclusion of load-ins and strikes of productions. This track is spilt into two tracks as seen below:
TRACK ONE:
May 19 – July 11
TRACK TWO:
June 7 – August 29
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:
Wigs, Hair and Makeup can be flexible and performances are not mandatory
TRACK ONE:
June 3 – August 7
HELLO, DOLLY!:
June 3 – 19 (Rehearsals)
June 20 – June 26 (Performances)
OFF: June 27 – July 14
IN THE HEIGHTS:
July 15 – July 31 (Rehearsal)
August 1 – 7 (Performances)
TRACK TWO:
June 24 – August 28
WEST SIDE STORY:
June 24 – July 10 (Rehearsal)
July 11 – 17 (Performances)
OFF: July 18 – August 4
HAIR:
August 5 – 21 (Rehearsal),
August 22 – 28 (Performances)
Please indicate on your application which track you prefer.
Be mindful of personal conflicts and choose a track you can fully commit to.
Please download and review the schedule before applying for your chosen track.
“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.”
– Production Intern
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is the timeline for applications and enrollment?
A: The application portal will close March 31, 2025. Interviews and offers are ongoing. Offers will be completed by May 9, 2025.
Q: What is my schedule going to be like?
A: Schedules vary depending on your track and department. Please review the schedule listed under each department above.
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 two to three weeks off between each production.
Costume: 20-25 hours a week (12 weeks)
Production Center: 40-41 hours a week (8 weeks per track)
Stage Management: 52-55 hours a week (8 weeks per track)
Wardrobe: 45-50 hours a week (8 weeks per track)
Sound: 40-45 hours a week (8 weeks per track)
Wigs, Hair, & Makeup: 45-50 hours a week (8 weeks per track)
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.
Q: Is this internship paid?
A: This internship includes up to a $25 per day stipend. You will also earn up to 4 credit hours through American River College which will be paid by Broadway Sacramento.
