The Intern Training Program (ITP) offers early career actors the opportunity to gain professional theater credits, training, and contacts to help you make the transition from university theater to the professional stage. Our ITP graduates gain mainstage performance credits, a strong Shakespeare foundation, contacts, career guidance, a respect for all aspects of theater and the ability to create and teach theater-based curriculums. If you want to be able to work for or run a theater education program or perform in the nation's best Shakespeare Festivals, this internship is for you! Take classes, teach, and perform!

• Paid Positions
• Nine month contract
• Free housing
• Near Disney, Universal and Florida beaches

Our Intern Training Program is sponsored in part through the generosity of the Florida Theatrical Association.

Our Acting/Education Interns are given the opportunity to perform on our mainstage in at least two productions. Our Interns may perform in more mainstage productions and in workshop productions and staged readings for PlayFest, our new play development series. They will work side-by-side in rehearsals with Equity actors and stage managers. They may have the opportunity to work with or audition for visiting directors. In addition, ITP have the opportunity to earn Equity Membership Candidate Points.

As Actor/Educators, interns receive teacher training, performance workshops and regular instruction on performing Shakespeare. Courses are taught by our resident master teachers and Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director.

Duties for ITP also include actively teaching in our K-12 in school residencies, which introduce students to Shakespeare and the basic elements of theater. Interns may also assist in teaching our Saturday classes for local youth. ITP serve as both administration and production support throughout the year, gaining experience and understanding of other theater artists.

We estimate that ITP spend their time as follows:

• 40% in rehearsal/performance
• 40% in education
• 10% in administrative support
• 10% in production support

Local auditions will be held Saturday, February 13, 20 & 27, 2010 from 12 – 5 p.m.
By Appointment Only

Interns are selected by audition. Most of our interns are hired for the full season's contract (August-May), but we have accepted interns for half-year or short-term contracts. The determining factors depend on the applicant, our current staff and the needs of the company.

For more information, contact Anne Hering, Director of Training, at 407-447-1700 ext. 214 or anneh@orlandoshakes.org.

1. What makes the perfect intern candidate?
We are looking for hard-working, creative, dedicated individuals, who can work well with a variety of supervisors in a fast-paced environment. We especially appreciate challenge-seeking self-starters with positive attitudes and time-management skills. Our internships are adjustable to all levels of training, from beginner to recent undergraduate student to MFA graduate.

2. How many intern positions are available?
We will have 5 participants for the 09-10 ITP company.

3. Can I use this internship to complete my degree?
Interns may use their internship to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree. Our Director of Training, Anne Hering, is available to assist you in completing any paperwork required by your college or university.

4. What is the common workload for an intern?
Interns work hard. We want to make that clear. The average work week, not including lunch and dinner breaks, is between 50-75 hours a week. The workload varies with the responsibilities to which the intern is assigned. An intern that is rehearsing a show while performing in another show will be considerably more taxed than an intern who is only doing teaching, administration or technical work.

Interns are contractually guaranteed one day off a week. The Director of Training determines that day by what duties the intern will be assigned to that week. If you are rehearsing or performing an Equity production, your day off will most likely be on Monday. If you are not in rehearsal and are teaching in our in-school residencies, your day off would fall on Sunday. You will have at least a week's notice as to what your day off will be.

5. Can I go to school or have a second job while I am an intern?
No. With a schedule of 50-75 hours a week, it would be almost impossible and we discourage trying. Also, an intern's day off changes depending on their current project.

6. Is the cost of living in Orlando such that I can live on my weekly salary?
Yes. With budgeting, interns have enough money to live on, not counting school loans or any other extra costs. In addition, interns that choose to live in company housing do not have to pay rent, utilities, local phone and other such expenses.

7. What is the housing situation like?
Interns live in an apartment that is usually located within 10 miles of the Theater. It can take from 15 to 45 minutes to get to the Theater depending on our lovely Orlando traffic!

The apartments usually have 2-3 bedrooms, a living room/dining room, a kitchen and 1-2 bathrooms. Apartments may also have a porch or a housing complex pool where interns can enjoy the Florida weather.

There is a possibility that you could share a bedroom with a person of the same sex. There is the strong possibility that you would share the common area or a bathroom with a member of the opposite sex. These apartment mates could be performance interns, technical interns, stage management interns or company actors or technicians. The furnishings include a couch, a dining table and 4 chairs in the living/dining area. In the bedroom, there is a bed and a chest of drawers for each occupant. Interns are required to bring their own kitchen supplies, bedding, TVs, VCRs microwaves, etc. There is usually a laundry facility on site.

8. Do I need to have a car?
Yes. Interns need to have a reliable way to get to and from work. For example, Interns often must drive to teach in a school up to 25 miles away from the Theater.

9. What should I expect to perform for auditions?
We would usually like to see two contrasting monologues or scenes from any of the plays we are producing during the upcoming season. We also would like to hear you sing a cappella. If you are attending a local audition, there may be sides available. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Director of Training.

10. What if I have never performed Shakespeare before?
That's okay! If you have never performed Shakespeare before, you will not be immediately disqualified. Our directors are looking for, above all, talent and a willingness to work hard. However, if you are planning to audition for us, I would suggest preparing a Shakespeare monologue despite your fears. Remember there is no right or wrong in theater!

11. What if I have never taught before?
Don't worry. You probably have taught before and don't realize it! Teaching a nephew how to swim or play a video game takes the same patience as teaching Shakespeare. But rest assured, we train our interns thoroughly about our in-school curriculum before they see a classroom. Also, we never send a teacher out alone. Interns will always teach with either a master teacher or another intern.

12. Do I have to be a student at the University of Central Florida to be an intern?
No. It is not a requirement of the internship program. We have a thriving partnership with UCF and many BFA candidates fulfill their internship requirements with us, but we have also had many interns from all over the nation.

13. What is your UCF-MFA program?
As one of the facets of our thriving partnership with the University of Central Florida, we offer their 3rd year MFA students a nine-month apprenticeship that runs concurrently with our ITP program. Like all the ITP participants, MFA Apprentices will audition for all OST shows and are guaranteed two roles throughout the season. They will generally spend the remainder of their time in the administration offices whereas the ITP participants' time will be split as described above. [read more]