Fellows and Interns

Fellowship offerings vary, but training is typically available in the following areas: Arts Administration, Artistic Development, Communications, Community Engagement, Development, Education, Events & Rental, and Production.

Dates: Seasonal fellowships are full-time and require a dedication of 36 weeks generally between August and May. Start and end dates may differ depending on the fellowship and departmental needs.

Compensation: Weekly stipend of $600 and a health, dental and vision insurance package. Housing is not provided.

How to apply:

Opportunities

ARENA STAGE DOES NOT PROVIDE FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Company Management Fellow – assists the Company Manager and Associate Company Manager in day-to-day tasks; helps facilitate housing, transportation, and other needs for actors, designers & directors; acts as the first responder once a week for emergencies involving guest artists; assists with the preparation and processing of union & non-union contracts. Candidate should be able to keep a calm demeanor in potentially stressful situations, have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and have a charming and warm personality.

Development Fellow – Reports to the Director of Development. The Development Fellow will work collaboratively with the Development Team and other Arena Stage staff and gain experience in all areas of theater fundraising including membership and major gift appeals, corporate sponsorships and foundation partnerships. The Development Fellow will have direct interaction with a variety of donors including Trustees of the theater and learn best practices for prospect research and donor cultivation. Projects will include but are not limited to assistance with creating grant proposals, drafting correspondence with donors and participating in the planning and execution of special events. The fellow will also help with general administrative support for the Development team and be welcomed into a variety of strategic and technical discussions. 

The ideal candidate for the Development fellowship will be a high-energy individual who thrives on collaboration and does not back away from challenges that require social tactfulness, discretion and the ability to function well under pressure. This is a position for an emerging arts administrator who wants to learn more about how philanthropy fuels and grows the arts. The fellow should also have the desire to work both independently and collaboratively to achieve Development department goals and have exceptional written and verbal communication skills. A working knowledge of Tessitura or a similar donor database software is preferred, but not required.

Events & Rentals Fellow – The candidate will work directly with the Mead Center Events and Rentals staff to provide support on all aspects of event planning and management. This position fields and processes event inquiries, drafts contracts, and leads site tours for potential clients. During events, the fellow will coordinate with caterers and vendors, assist with event load in and help facilitate event operations. The ideal candidate should have a background in event execution, excellent written and verbal communication skills, be comfortable working on both independent and collaborative projects, ability to keep a calm demeanor in challenging situations and have a passion for events management. Knowledge of theatrical productions or arts management a plus. The position requires a flexible schedule with the ability to work nights and weekends. Some events may run outside of the hours of public transportation. This position requires standing and walking as well as the ability to lift 30 lbs. This position begins in October and ends in June.

Leadership & Business Fellow – works with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, and Leadership Office Manager, both independently and as part of small teams on special projects and ongoing business/finance tasks including: board relations, budget analysis, financial reporting and tracking, assisting in drafting program notes, contract development and corporate and foundation research; observes senior staff, board, and committee meetings. Candidate should have a strong interest in not-for-profit leadership, the ability to work independently and the willingness to tackle a variety of projects. Excellent writing, organization, communicant and computer literacy skills (a familiarity with Excel) is required.

Marketing Fellow – assist with the planning and implementation of marketing strategies and creative audience-building initiatives; Assist with the writing, proofing and creation of advertisements, marketing collateral, online copy; assist with photo and video shoots; provide administrative support; reporting, analysis of data, social media support. Candidate should have excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, experience with Microsoft Office and the willingness to manage multiple projects independently.

Media Relations Fellow – supports the publicity efforts surrounding Arena Stage’s programming, institutional projects and leadership in a way that is consistent with the theater’s mission. Responsibilities include monitoring and tracking daily news coverage; scheduling tickets for journalists covering shows; compiling press kits as needed; responding to photo requests from media outlets; assists with updating Arena Stage’s online press room, including photos, releases and relevant news coverage; managing the electronic distribution of press releases and media invites; drafting and editing press releases; assisting in facilitating media interviews with Arena Stage artists and leaders; and additional assignments developing and implementing Arena Stage communications strategies. Candidate should have excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, experience with Microsoft Office and the willingness to manage multiple projects independently.

Publications Fellow – The Publications Fellow at the direction of the Publications Coordinator will aid designing print and digital materials. The fellow will also aid with Arena Stage’s multimedia projects including filming and editing. Additionally, the publications fellow will research new digital resources of interest to performing arts, including social media and e-publishing opportunities. Candidate should be familiar with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office; knowledge of social media and HTML is also helpful.

Literary Fellow – works closely with the Literary Manager on script submissions, script reading and reporting, production dramaturgy research, facilitating post-show discussions, and script tracking for new play development. Other activities may include: staffing special artistic events and workshops, being on-book as needed, and general office support. This position requires a flexible schedule for occasional evening and weekend hours. Candidates with a strong background in dramaturgy, and/or producing theater are preferred. Computer skills in Word and Excel are required.

Casting Fellow – works closely with the Artistic Associate & Casting Director to schedule, plan, and execute auditions, maintain the casting database, scout talent, and facilitate new play readings and workshops. Also supports the Artistic Development office with script reading, reporting, and being on book in the rehearsal hall, dramaturgical research, and special event staffing. This position requires a flexible schedule for occasional evening and weekend hours. Though casting experience is not required, directing, producing, stage management, or other experience working in the rehearsal hall “across the table” from actors is preferred. Ideal candidates will be well-grounded, meticulously organized, detail-oriented, and able to work with different personalities and quickly changing situations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and creative problem-solving skills are required. This position begins in January and ends in October.

Directing Fellow – serves as the Directing Assistant on several Arena Stage productions (LORT B+), and is expected to support the director at every rehearsal, production meeting, and during tech, and previews. This work may include taking notes, providing research, and ensuring the well-being of the director. This position requires a flexible schedule for evening and weekend hours while in productions. In addition, this Fellow supports the Deputy Artistic Director, Casting Director and Literary Associate on other Artistic Development Department initiatives and activities when not working on a production. During these times, this Fellow’s work hours may switch back to a traditional work week. Ideal candidates must have directing, dramaturgy, stage management or performance experience and high emotional intelligence. Stamina, keen listening and observation skills, attention to detail, a fierce commitment to artistic excellence, excellent communication skills, a good sense of humor, and compassion are required as well as computer skills in Word and Excel.

Costumes Fellow – plays a vital role in both production and presentation of the costume shop; assists designers on productions, including research, paperwork, note taking, costume bible creation and maintenance and assistance with fittings; serves as wardrobe for at least one production; serves as stitcher for the costume shop; assists the first hands and drapers during the build of costumes; assists the costume director and costume shop manager. Candidate should show a demonstrated interest in costume design and/or the management of a costume shop and have some experience in costume design, costume construction and/or working in a costume shop in either an academic or professional setting.

Lighting Fellow – works alongside some of the top Lighting Designers in the field; acts as the resident assistant for visiting lighting designers during their residency at Arena Stage and assists the master electrician and staff electricians in the planning, implementation and maintenance of the lighting designs and systems. Candidate must be proficient in computer-aided drafting and have a strong knowledge of theatrical lighting practice, common office software, and theatrical lighting equipment.

Stage Management Fellow – experiences the entire process of putting together a production in the realm of stage management, including the rehearsal process, the production and technical process and the performance run process. Duties will vary by show and stage management team, but will include preparing schedules, preparing notes and other paperwork, assisting in rehearsal duties and assisting in backstage duties. Candidate should have extensive exposure to stage management in their educational program, preferably in both study and application and show a demonstrated interest in stage management.

Education and School Programs – assists the School Programs Manager with administration of the D.C. Ticket Partnership (Arena Stage’s subsidized ticket program for D.C. public school students), including scheduling, lesson planning, curriculum material assistance and teaching in-school workshops connected to main-stage productions; researches and writes at least five student study guides for main-stage productions; serves as a teaching artist for the Voices of Now devised theater program during the school year. Ideal candidates are both artists and educators that enjoy working with artists from a diversity of backgrounds.

Education and Community Programs Fellow – assists the School Programs Manager with administration of school programs and partnerships; provides instructional, technical and administrative support for education classes; researches and writes curriculum materials for main-stage productions, including American Prophet and Seven Guitars; serves as a teaching artist for the Voices of Now devised theater program. Ideal candidates are both artists and educators that enjoy working with participants from a diversity of backgrounds.

Summer internships are appropriate for college students, graduate students, recent graduates, or career changers. Summer internships vary depending on the season, but positions are generally available in the following areas: Community Engagement, Education, Events & Rentals, Development, Leadership & Business, and Production.

Dates: Summer internships are full-time and require a 10 week commitment between June and August. Specific dates depend on departmental needs.

Compensation: Weekly stipend of $200.

How to apply:

Opportunities

ARENA STAGE DOES NOT PROVIDE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Development Intern – assists in all areas of fundraising including individual giving, corporations, foundations, and board relations; drafts grant proposals and donor correspondence, researches prospective donors, assists with the preparation and execution of donor mailings, provides support for special events and offers overall administrative support to the team. Candidate should have excellent written and interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently on multiple projects and interest in donor relations and individual giving.

Leadership & Business Intern – works with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, and Leadership Office Manager, both independently and as part of small teams on special projects and ongoing business/finance tasks including board relations, budget analysis, financial reporting and tracking, assisting in drafting program notes, contract development and corporate and foundation research; observes senior staff, board, and committee meetings. Candidate should have a strong interest in not-for-profit leadership, the ability to work independently and the willingness to tackle a variety of projects. Excellent writing, organization, communicant and computer literacy skills (familiarity with Excel) are required.

Events & Rentals Intern – : The candidate will work directly with the Mead Center Events and Rentals staff to provide support on all aspects of event planning and management. This position fields and processes event inquiries, drafts contracts, and leads site tours for potential clients. During events, the intern will coordinate with caterers and vendors, assist with event load in and help facilitate event operations. The ideal candidate should have a background in event execution, excellent written and verbal communication skills, be comfortable working on both independent and collaborative projects, ability to keep a calm demeanor in challenging situations, and have a passion for events management. Knowledge of theatrical productions or arts management a plus. The position requires a flexible schedule with the ability to work nights and weekends. Some events may run outside of the hours of public transportation. This position requires standing and walking as well as the ability to lift 30 lbs.

Production Intern – assists the production management and general management teams in daily operations of the production office; helps facilitate the needs of current productions, events, and building operations; assists with preparation for the upcoming season and the planning and execution of rental and internal events involving production. Candidates must show a demonstrated interest in theatrical management and/or production and have excellent written and oral communication skills, thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt to change quickly.

Teaching and Community Outreach Intern – splits time between teaching at Camp Arena Stage, a summer multi-art (theater, dance, music, filmmaking, visual art) camp for ages 8–15, and assisting with community outreach workshops as needed. The intern will be trained to co-instruct in Voices of Now, Arena Stage’s devised theater for social change program, and will also plan and teach a daily class on their own. Intern will provide administrative support and preparation of materials for summer programs as assigned. Successful candidate must have some teaching experience and enjoy working with young people from diverse backgrounds.