Development – Special Events Focused Intern | Manhattan Theatre Club

Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC), a Tony Award-winning nonprofit theatre dedicated to producing innovative theatre of the highest quality by American and international playwrights, with a focus on presenting New York, American, and world premieres, invites individuals to apply for the Paul A. Kaplan Theatre Management Program full-time Fall 2021 Development – Special Events Focused internship. For 50 years, MTC has been the creative and artistic home for America’s most gifted theatrical artists, producing works of the highest quality by contemporary American and international playwrights. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of our work both on and off the stage.

MTC will produce six plays during the 2021-22 season in Broadway’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and off-Broadway at the historic New York City Center complex. Writers represented in the season include Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Dominique Morisseau, Paula Vogel, Simon Stephens, Joshua Harmon, and Anchuli Felicia King.

The Paul A. Kaplan Theatre Management Program provides a unique opportunity to learn about producing not-for-profit theatre both on and off-Broadway through intensive on-the-job training. Interns are assigned projects and responsibilities that contribute to the day-to-day running of the company. Additionally, interns’ relationships with their supervisor and mentor ensure that they are not only gaining valuable skills but also receiving continuous support and feedback. The training experience is further enhanced by an educational seminar series led by the industry experts on MTC’s staff as well as career development coaching with our human resources team. Program alumni go on to work in the industry at theatre companies producing on Broadway, off Broadway, and regionally; in casting offices, production companies, and theatrical advertising agencies; and, in allied arts and cultural organizations across the country.

This internship will give a candidate the experience of working in a Development Department for a major non-profit theatre. Their primary focus will be to learn about and support MTC’s small but mighty two-person events team. By working closely and in depth “behind the scenes” for each event, the intern will learn how a season of fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events come together. This internship will help you sharpen your office skills and become familiar with ensuring events run smoothly. You will learn best practices in donor communication and maintaining highly accurate record-keeping. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to learn about foundations and government contributions by providing general support to the Institutional Giving office.

The intern will gain experience in a wide variety of software used to accomplish multiple tasks. Interns will become familiar with Tessitura, Foundation Director, RelSci, Basecamp, Social Tables, Outlook Scheduling, and mail merge.

We are seeking open-minded, detail-oriented, and focused team-players. This internship requires both excellent customer service skills and quick, data-minded thinking. Understanding of and experience in a Development office are a plus; a passion for the arts is a must.

This position is full-time, 35 hours/week, and begins in-person on September 7, 2021. Frequent evening and weekend hours are required.

Compensation is $525 per week with the option for additional weekend and evening work which pays $15 per hour. Applicants who identify as an individual belonging to a community historically underrepresented in the theatre workforce are invited to apply for a limited number of supplemental living allowances in the amount of $140 per week. All interns are offered complimentary tickets to MTC’s productions, paid time off (sick, personal, and vacation), and access to pre-tax commuter benefits.

The application deadline for the Fall 2021 semester is Tuesday, June 15 at 11:59pm EST. All components of the application must be received by this deadline in order for the application to be considered complete.

A completed application includes:

1) A professional work résumé that may include: education and training, work history, theatre/arts experience, and computer skills.

2) Personal Statement: Our mission at MTC is to produce innovative theatre of the highest quality by American and International playwrights, with a focus on presenting New York, American, and world premieres. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of our work both on stage and off. Please write a personal statement of not more than 750 words responding to the questions below: 

• Why are you interested in the department(s) you selected? What skills do you hope to further develop as a result of on-the-job training at MTC?
• What specifically about MTC’s mission and history speaks to you and why?
• Given your background and life experiences, how do your ideas and attitudes towards equity, diversity, and inclusion inform your aspirations as an arts administrator?

3) Two references (professors, employers, etc.)

Manhattan Theatre Club believes that equity, diversity and inclusion should be essential elements of all activity within the organization. We have made it a priority to create and maintain an environment that is attractive to and supportive of all individuals regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender identity, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, military or veteran status, etc. MTC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.