The Rep's Internship Program

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater has offered a highly respected internship program for over 30 years. Our program is unique in its scope and intensity. For a full season, interns become a part of the Rep company. Interns in the Artistic Department do not perform administrative or technical duties so that they may devote their time entirely to acting, directing, or dramaturgy.

Unlike many regional theaters in the U.S., the Rep supports a resident acting company. Through the course of the program, interns have the opportunity to work closely with these performers on a variety of productions and projects. The Rep maintains a strong relationship with many playwrights and directors. In the history of Milwaukee Rep, interns have been a part of world premieres, international and regional collaborations, and new works commissioned for our company.

The Rep is a bustling theater, producing 15 plays each season in four theater spaces. Our internship program requires a full time commitment from those with the energy and desire to make the transition into professional theater. Artistic applicants must be college graduates. MFA candidates are encouraged to apply. Academic credit is available for students wishing to make their internship part of their graduate degree curriculum.

The Rep offers acting, directing, and literary interns housing and a small stipend. These internships run for a full season ( late July or early August and conclude with the final performance of the season, usually in early or mid-May.). Partial-season internships may be arranged. We are interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including women and minorities. Download the application form.

For questions or more information, please contact The Rep's Artistic Associate, Sandy Ernst.

Acting & Directing Internships

Acting Internship
Acting interns work closely with Milwaukee Repertory Theater¹s Resident Acting Company, participating in the Equity rehearsal process as understudies and ensemble members in Rep productions. The Rep guarantees understudy roles for all acting interns during their internship. Understudies perform their roles for review for members of the company.

Rep company members share their talent and knowledge with interns in workshop and rehearsal settings. From stage make-up and combat to movement and dialect, Rep productions grant interns the opportunity to learn from experts in the theater field. The Rep makes every effort to help acting interns find professional work following their season. Interns have opportunities to craft classical and contemporary monologues for a wide variety of auditions scheduled during the second half of their internship.

Acting interns earn Equity Membership Candidacy points during the course of their internship. Also, all acting interns are cast in the Rep¹s production of A Christmas Carol, produced annually in Milwaukee's historic Pabst Theater.

Directing Internship
Directing interns serve as the assistant directors for Milwaukee Rep productions, participating in the creative process with some of the theater community¹s most respected directors. In addition, directing interns schedule and oversee intern understudy rehearsals throughout the rehearsal period in order to prepare understudies to step into a role if necessary. The work of the assistant director and understudy cast is showcased and reviewed after the opening of each production.

At the end of the internship, directing interns have the opportunity to direct a piece of their own choosing, utilizing the Intern Company as a cast, and performing the piece for members of the Rep company as a final project.

Literary Internship
Literary interns work closely with the Rep¹s Literary Director in literary management, production dramaturgy and audience education. Intern's duties are developed according to his or her specific interests, and could include working as a dramaturg on specific productions, writing essays for programs and newsletters, discussing repertory choices with the Artistic Staff, managing the Rep¹s literary office, participating in workshops and discussions of new plays, and conducting audience discussions and community events.

Design and Production Internships

Rep technical and management staff share their talent and knowledge with interns during the process of producing a show. Design and Production interns work with professional designers, as well as the Rep’s technical and management staff. Internship opportunities help develop the individual’s understanding and experience of working in a professional regional theater. Depending on the internship, the duties may range from working as a design assistant, production management assistant, run crew on performances, to working in a specific shop area such as carpentry, paint, props, electrics, costume crafts and sound, apprenticing with IA house staff, as well as other production related activities.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is accepting resumes for the following Internships for the 2011/12 Season. The Rep provides a $50 per week grocery stipend as well as housing for out of town interns.

These internships run for a full season ( late July or early August and conclude with the final performance of the season, usually in early or mid-May.). Partial-season internships may be arranged. We are interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including women and minorities.

Applications for the Stage Management Internships are due by March 1, 2011. Applications for all other Design and Production Internships are due March 15, 2011. We are interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including women and minorities.  Send a cover letter, resume and references to: Production Internships, Melissa Vartanian, Production Manager, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, 108 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Fax: 414-224-9097. E-mail: mvartanian@milwaukeerep.com

Costume/Wardrobe Internship (1) Duties include stitching, craft construction, wig construction and maintenance, wardrobe and other costume shop duties.  The Costume Intern will also have the opportunity to design the costumes for our Rep Lab (our intern production in the Stiemke Studio).

Lighting Design Internship (1) Duties include assisting the Lighting & Sound Director and lighting designers with drafting light plots and other essential paper work. In addition, the intern will assist with load-in, focus, taking notes for the lighting designer and updating all paperwork.  Finally the ALD Intern will have the opportunity to design in our Stiemke Theater, for the Rep Lab (an intern project). Experience with Vectorworks Spotlight and Lightwright is recommended.

Electrics Internship (2) This is a half season internship, so we will be looking for two candidates.  The Electrics interns will work along the IATSE Resident Crew hanging, and focusing lights, wiring practicals, and sometimes running follow spot.  The Electrics Intern will assist the Lighting and Sound Director and IATSE Resident Crew with other duties within the electrics department for all theaters.

Production Management Intern (1) Duties include assisting the Production Manager with day to day administrative duties.  The Production Management Intern will assist the Production Manager in areas of budgeting, scheduling, communication, taking notes, distributing notes, as well as become familiar with how theaters work in conjunction with several theatrical unions (USA, AEA, and IATSE.)

Properties Internship (1) Duties include assisting Prop staff in research, construction, maintenance, load-ins and strikes of season productions as well as general shop and departmental maintenance.

Stage Management Internship (2) Duties include assisting the stage management staff with prep, rehearsal and performance duties, as well as the day to day duties of maintaining the SM department.  

Scenic Artist Internship (1)Duties include assisting the scenic artists with painting the scenery for productions.