Internships
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Inventive. Collaborative. Transformative
Lookingglass Interns are current, or recently graduated, college or graduate students interested in taking the first step towards a career in professional theatre administration or production. Given Lookingglass’ commitment to ensemble-based new work & adaptations, interns should be interested in working in a highly collaborative environment and ready to take on whatever comes their way. While interns should have some basic experience in their position of interest, the internship should be seen as an opportunity to learn and further develop the administrative or technical skills they already possess. Lookingglass interns are essential team members in their department with a direct supervisor who will outline most of their responsibilities. Additionally, they are afforded many opportunities to learn how the company operates as a whole. Interns will interact with staff and artists regularly, have networking opportunities with fellow interns, and be offered educational forums with company leaders. At the end of their time with Lookingglass, all interns should have a sound understanding of the industry, and a strong outlook on whether or not a career in professional theatre is right for them.
Prospective interns must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, should be knowledgeable in Microsoft Word and Excel, and have an interest in working in a highly collaborative environment. Internships are unpaid, but scheduling is flexible to best fit your needs. Interns receive complimentary tickets to all Lookingglass productions (as well as industry offers when available), and academic credit (if available through College/University). Candidates should be able to commit to at least 15 hours per week, for a minimum of 12-weeks. Administrative Internship hours will generally be fulfilled between 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday. Interested applicants should send a brief Cover Letter, Resume, two references (letters or contact information), and a completed Internship Application.Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted. Application deadlines for each session are as follows:
Summer Internships (June — August): March 1 Fall Internships (September — December): July 15 Winter/Spring Internships (January — May): October 15
Late applications may be accepted based on a case by case scenario or by the need of the individual department.
Contact Information: Applications may be submitted electronically to Katie Dysard at kdysard@lookingglasstheatre.org or write to: Internship Program John Hancock Center 875 North Michigan Avenue Suite 2200 Chicago, IL 60611
Please submit any questions regarding your application or the program to Katie Dysard via e-mail.
Lookingglass Theatre Company currently offers Internship positions in the following areas: (Please click on any of the below positions for a more detailed description.) Arts Administration Development Education & Community Programs – Administration Education & Community Programs – Camp (summer only) Marketing Production Management Production – Electrics Production – Stage Management Production – Sound Production – Technical Direction Production – Wardrobe
ARTS ADMINISTRATION
The Arts Administration Intern works very closely with the Company Assistant to provide administrative support to the three Artistic Directors. Arts Administration Intern must have strong communication & organizational skills and be proficient in Excel and Word. Most of this internship is supporting the artistic leadership through daily office activities, in addition to providing support for occasional special events. He/she will be expected to work 10-15 hours per week during normal business hours, and some weekend and evening events as necessary, for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks. Specific Duties Include:
DEVELOPMENT
The Development Intern is a key staff member in Lookingglass’ Development Office. Lookingglass is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation that operates on a budget of roughly $3.5 million and raises nearly $2 million in contributed income annually. To assist in this significant fundraising endeavor, the Development Intern should have some basic experience working in an office setting, including proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, and an interest in the administrative aspects of running a mid-size arts organization including record-keeping, donor correspondence, donor relations, and event planning. A high standard of professional conduct is expected of the Development Intern. He/she will be expected to work 10-15 hours per week, during normal business hours and some weekend and evening events as necessary, for a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks. Specific Duties Include:
Our Summer E&C Administrative intership was been filled by a candidate of the Jeff Metcalf Fellows Program in collaboration with University of Chicago. The Jeff Metcalf Fellows Program is the flagship undergraduate internship program at U of C which provides students the opportunity to gain substantive work experience with professional organizations throughout the US and abroad. For more information, please visit the Metcalf Fellows website
Specific Duties Include:
MARKETING The Marketing Intern works closely with the Director of Marketing and Marketing Coordinator to promote season and single ticket sales. They are given a great deal of ownership and responsibility over long term projects and are expected to manage their own workflow. Excellent internet research skills are required. Specific Duties Include:
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT The Production Management Intern will integrate into the Production Department at Lookingglass to assist with both daily and long-term upkeep of productions and production’s more administrative side. Production Interns should have some basic knowledge of theatre practice and terminology and basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access. Production Management background is preferable, but not required. He/She will focus on pre-production, playbill, scheduling, budgets and maintenance of production facilities. The Production Management Intern will be expected to work 10-20 hours per week during non-peak production times; however, he/she will be expected to work 20-30 hours per week during the load-in and technical rehearsal period of any mainstage production. Specific Duties Include:
PRODUCTION - ELECTRICS The Electrics Intern will work directly under the supervision of the resident Master Electrician to realize the lighting design for each production. He/She should have a basic background in electrics with some experience working on electrics crews and running a light board. Responsibilities will include assisting with load-in, hang and focus, tech notes, maintenance of electrics during the run of the productions, and strike. Additionally the Electrics Intern will train and sub on the light board during the run of productions. Specific Duties Include:
PRODUCTION – STAGE MANAGEMENT
The Stage Management Intern will be an invaluable part of the production team Lookingglass’ mainstage productions. He/She should have some background in stage management, and a basic understanding of theatre terminology and practice. Stage Management Intern will work directly with Stage Management team to assist with pre-production, daily rehearsal activities, and coordination of stage management transfer from rehearsal room to theatre. Stage management intern will also work with backstage run crew and production department during the technical rehearsals and preview process to assist with set-up and maintenance of the stage, furniture and hand props, and audience seating. Additionally the Stage Management Intern will train on the backstage run crew tracks under the supervision of the Assistant Stage Manager, with possibility to sub during the run of productions. Specific Duties Include:
PRODUCTION – SOUND The Sound Intern will work directly with Sound Engineer and Assistant Sound Designer on each production. The Sound Intern should have background in Sound Design or Sound Engineering, but must have basic knowledge of sound install. Responsibilities include but are not limited to assisting with the load-in, speaker hangs, tech notes, maintenance of sound equipment during the run of the productions, and strike. Additionally the Sound Intern will train and sub on the Sound board during the run of productions. Specific Duties Include:
PRODUCTION – TECHNICAL DIRECTION The Technical Direction Intern will be an integral part of the Production Team at Lookingglass. Under the guidance of the Technical Director and Assistant Technical Director, Intern will assist with pre-production build, maintenance of scene shop and water tower theatre, maintenance of equipment, and strike of productions. Technical Direction Intern should have basic carpentry skills, desire to work in a fast-paced environment, and basic theatre background. Intern will be expected to work 15-20 hours per week at our off-site Scene Shop during regular business weeks; however, Intern will be expected to work 20-30 hours per week during the load-in, technical rehearsal, or strike period of the mainstage show. Specific Duties Include:
PRODUCTION – WARDROBE
Wardrobe Interns will work directly with Lookingglass’ full-time Wardrobe Supervisor, David Galbreath. Wardrobe Intern applicants should have some educational background in Costume Design, Construction, and/or Wardrobe Crew at a university or college level. Hair and Make-up experience is a plus, but not necessary. This internship is geared towards students and professionals who need additional education while working on a professional production. Interns will assist with pre-production load in of costumes, setting- up dressing rooms and all quick change areas, assist with costume maintenance and construction through Opening, learn the costume change tracks for the show, any wig and hair maintenance as necessary. Wardrobe interns have the opportunity to work with the Costume Designer and Costume Design Assistant during Tech. Depending on applicant’s availability before tech, there is the option of working on smaller projects in our new costume shop. Wardrobe Interns will also work with Wardrobe Supervisor and Production Management on the organization and maintenance of the company's Costume Storage.
PRODUCTION - OTHER Don't see what you're looking for here? Or can't decide? Lookingglass works with individuals to customize internships based on each individual's specific experience and needs. Please apply for a general Production Management internship and note your specialty area of interest (i.e. rigging, scenic design, lighting design, etc.).
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