Professional Training Internship Program | Florida Studio Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre, a LORT D theatre located in Sarasota FL is looking for interns in the disciplines below to join us on our 5 theatre campus for the 2022-2023 season.

ARTISTIC

ACTING Perform as part of FST’s Children’s Theatre Series and award-winning arts-in-education program, WRITE A PLAY, and participate in New Play Development. Audition to Understudy our Mainstage, Cabaret & Stage III productions, working alongside and learning from our union performers. May result in EMC points. VIDEO AUDITION REQUIRED. Applicants are required to pass a background check.

EDUCATION – SUMMER ONLY Join our staff of professional teaching artists for our FST School Summer Camp. Work with children ages 4 through 17, assisting with acting, movement, improv and voice workshops, along with providing general camp support. All Education Interns are required to pass a background check.

LITERARY Gain hands-on industry experience in Literary Office operations with a focus on contemporary plays and New Play Development. Correspond with agents, playwrights, and community leaders for audience engagement. Multiple writing opportunities with marketing and development departments are available. WRITING SAMPLE REQUIRED.

THEATRE ADMINISTRATION

AUDIENCE SERVICES Gain well-rounded front of house experience through regular shifts in the FST box office, house management, usher management and phone campaigns. Develop advanced Tessitura skills and support donor relations.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE & EDUCATION Support FST’s award winning Write-A-Play program that inspires students to write their own original plays. Assist with tour, workshop, and field trip scheduling. Work with FST School by assisting teaching artists in acting, movement and improv classes. Work with the education administrator to assist students in registering for classes and serve as administrative support for teaching artists. Required to pass a background check.

COMPANY MANAGEMENT Work with FST’s Company Manager to build and maintain relationships between the theatre and guest artists. Communicate with performers and provide support in all aspects of housing, transportation and hospitality. Develop an understanding of union regulations for guest artists and function as an ambassador. Applicant MUST have own car.

DEVELOPMENT Learn more about theatre administration, event planning and fundraising. Build networking and communication skills through in-person, phone and written communication with FST’s supporters and assist in the execution of special events. Be trained in industry programs, including Tessitura and Wealth Engine, to process donations and ticket orders, maintain donor records and support phone campaigns.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT Work closely with FST’s General Manager to learn the many aspects of how a regional theatre functions, while receiving a well-rounded arts administration experience. Learn Tessitura, familiarize yourself with all union contracts, work on special events, and provide administrative support to management staff.

MARKETING Gain valuable transferable skills and solid arts administration experience working as a key member of FST’s fast-paced marketing team. Stretch your own creativity by helping to develop promotional content – videos, photography, blog posts, and show graphics. Support the digital team by contributing ideas for social media and developing eblasts. Get a taste of public relations by drafting press releases, archiving coverage, and copyediting. Gain an understanding of direct mail, working in FST’s in-house mailroom.

PRODUCTION

CARPENTRY Work as a key member of FST’s scenic department, learning about the many aspects of scenic construction and implementation. Responsible for all five of FST’s spaces, and up to 22 productions a year, the FST Scene Shop will provide opportunities to work alongside professional designers, scenic artists and carpenters.

COSTUMES Work as a key member of the FST Costume Shop, where costumes are created for up to 22 productions a year. Learn costume construction, daily maintenance, shopping, tracking of inventory & purchases, and wardrobe running. Design opportunities available in Children’s Theatre productions. WORK SAMPLE REQUIRED.

LIGHTING Work on the preparation, installation and focus for each production in FST’s five theatre spaces. Learn and develop technical skills needed to maintain lighting inventory while working with professional lighting designers. Design opportunities available in Children’s Theatre productions. WORK SAMPLE REQUIRED.

PRODUCTION Serve on run crew for a minimum of 2 productions. In addition, work in Stage Management for small productions and events; assist on lighting and sound calls; work in the scene shop and costume shops depending on skill level. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to increase their skill level in multiple areas of theatre production.

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT Work closely with the Director of Production on all aspects of running a five theatre complex. Provide support for all technical departments, including scheduling, creating and tracking of purchase orders and recording/distributing notes from all production meetings. Take lead in production managing Children’s Theatre productions.

PROPS/PAINTING Work as a key member of the FST Scene Shop, assisting with creation and acquisition of props, furniture and set dressings. Opportunities to research, source, build/create props as well as develop painting skills for both scenic and properties divisions. 

SOUND Work closely with FST’s Resident Sound Designer to deepen the skills required for a professional audio career. Learn and operate the Yamaha digital sound console., program and operate the Q-Lab computerized sound playback system, and source and create sound cues for production. Design opportunities available. WORK SAMPLE REQUIRED.

STAGE MANAGEMENT Assist AEA Stage Managers beginning with prep week, through the rehearsal and tech processes and in performances. SM opportunities for non-union productions. Learn union rules, create & manage schedules, take blocking notes in rehearsals, track costumes & props, organize crew responsibilities and execute performances.

Florida Studio Theatre’s Professional Training Program is an immersive and comprehensive way to bridge the gap between academic theatre and the professional world. 

This full-time, intensive training program provides learning opportunities and experience to those who are serious about careers as theatre professionals. FST’s Interns, Apprentices, and Fellows work alongside trained theatre professionals in all aspects of theatre operations – from front of house to behind the scenes and from the administrative offices to center stage.

Compensation Package Includes:

•  Free, furnished shared housing, including utilities, cable, and internet.

•  $230 weekly stipend.

•  25% discount at FST’s Green Room Café & Bar.

•  Two comp tickets to each FST production.

•  Professional development, networking opportunities, and free admission to FST classes & workshops.

To Be Eligible For Consideration, Applicants Must:

•  Be at least 21 years old (at least 18 years old for Summer Interns)

•  Have appropriate academic and/or professional experience.

•  Be able to relocate to Sarasota for the length of the program.

Florida Studio Theatre is working towards becoming a more anti-racist and inclusive theatre. FST is thus committed to developing a work environment that is reflective of the diverse world that it serves. Applicants from all populations and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Consideration for employment will be given to all applicants without regard to race/ethnicity, gender identity/sexual orientation, age, or ability.