2010 RTSF Intern
Company Auditions/Interview (Please
note
that
the 2010 audition/interview dates have passed.)
Open
to undergraduate, graduate students or others seeking a full-time
professional experience in the areas of acting, directing, costuming
and stage management. Contract period begins May 11. All interns
receive $75/wk + housing for out-of-area
interns. Training includes frequent master classes with company members
and guest artists; previous classes include scansion, understudying,
yoga, Suzuki movement, auditioning, a Fitzmaurice voice series and
several design workshops. Interns typically work a humane 50 hours per
week,
with a 70 hour maximum during tech weeks.
Intern
Opportunities
Actors (8) -
perform in the Green
Show and one
Mainstage show, understudy, work regularly in costume or scene shop,
perform production assignment for one Mainstage show, participate in
rep changeovers; EMC points available.
Director (1) - assist the director on Mainstage show, coach understudy
actors, participate in changeovers and perform one production
assignment; assistant direct the Green Show.
Costumers (2) - assist RTSF costume designer and Costume Shop
Supervisor in constructing costumes, act as dresser and perform costume
maintenance during run, co-design the Green Show.
Stage Manager (1) - assist Equity stage manager during rehearsals, act
as PA during run, stage manage Green Show; EMC points available.
How/When
to Apply (Please
note
that
the 2010 audition/interview dates have passed.)
Actors
-
1)
photo/resume
2)
personal audition in Iowa City on Saturday, January 30,
2010 or VHS/DVD recorded audition received by the same date (two
contrasting monologues, one classical and one contemporary, 3 minutes
maximum) 3) one letter of recommendation from academic or professional
theatre supervisor
Directors, Costumers, Stage Managers - 1) resume and letter detailing
qualifications/interest 2)
personal (recommended) or phone interview 3) one letter of
recommendation from academic or professional theatre supervisor
Application
Deadline:
All
application components must be received by
Saturday, January 30, 2010.
Call 319-338-7672 to
schedule auditions/interviews in Iowa City
An
alternate date
prior to January 30 may be requested, but is not assured.
Questions?
Email
artistic@riversidetheatre.org.
RTSF Interns Talk
about
their Experiences!
Katie
Becker
Coe College
graduate, Barter Theatre company member, acting intern '07
The acting internship with RTSF provides
a smooth transition from the academic to the professional world. Within
two months, I became part of a professional company and, more
importantly, part of a theatrical community. I met ardent lovers and
supporters of the arts, contacts that I will cherish throughout my
career. My technical skills sharpened my work in the costume shop, my
knowledge of the theatre world expanded through conversations with
company members and the intern classes offered, and my approach to
acting became more professional. I am indebted to Riverside Theatre for
my positive experience this past summer.
Kaylin
Boosalis Washington
University graduate, acting intern '08
Riverside Theatre provided me with life
experiences that I feel every young professional needs. As an
acting intern, I learned how to navigate through every aspect of
theatre: from backstage, to costuming, to set construction, and
finally, understudying and acting. Many internships do not
incorporate their interns into their company of actors. Riverside
is the complete opposite; acting interns are treated as full company
members. My Riverside experience taught me invaluable life
lessons about many things that can happen on the job, and I feel that
everything I learned from this opportunity can be applied in a
practical way to any work environment I encounter in the future.
Marianna
Caldwell St. Ambrose
University, NYC actor, acting intern '06
My
experience with RTSF not only built my skills as an actor, but as a
costume
designer, company member, marketer, and all around artist. The company
made our
work as interns seem invaluable, and went out of their way to encourage
and
help us. Working on Mainstage productions with professionals was an
incredible
opportunity for a young actor, and a great doorway into how the
professional
world runs. The RTSF internship is a well-rounded experience for
becoming a
well-rounded artist.
William Callahan Fordham
University graduate,
acting intern '05
My weeks interning at Riverside Theatre were
some of the most formative
of my
(short) career as an actor. I quickly learned to appreciate the fact
that as an
intern I could spend so much time watching amazing and experienced
actors
rehearse and collaborate on the production. This time observing was as
gratifying as the time I spent on stage. I think that the unique
position
interns are in - as a vital part of both the professional company and
also the
smaller intern company - allows you the best of both those positions.
Lastly,
the staff and company Riverside
assembles are, besides being so professional and as hard-working as the
interns, always friendly and happy to talk and offer help.
Margo Chervony
Case Western Reserve University, acting intern ‘09 At Riverside Theatre, I never felt like "just
an intern." From the moment I arrived, I knew I was viewed as an
indispensable part of the company, and the theater quickly became a
home for me. All the work that was required of me as an intern
became a joy to perform, and getting to act on a professional stage
under the stars at this early point in my career was incredible in
itself. I learned so much at Riverside, both in practice and as a
student of the amazing theatre artists who donated their time to
us. The experience made my summer.
Joseph Curnutte, NYC actor Graduate of Cornell
College and Actors Theatre of Louisville Apprentice
Program, acting intern '04
The RTSF internship gave me my first
Shakespeare experience. And a
joyous one
it was. From watching how the professional actors prepare to take on
their
respective roles, I learned the discipline that it takes to be a
success.
Through our weekly intern classes, I found techniques elemental to the
performance of Shakespeare - we covered a myriad of subjects from text
analysis
to clowning. Our understudy assignments allowed us to delve more deeply
into
Shakespearean character study. I feel that by working diligently to
accomplish
my responsibilities, I gained valuable experience and grew
significantly as a
young artist.
Isaac Durand, Yale
University, directing
intern ‘09 I can’t think of a better internship for young
directors than the RTSF program. At RTSF, I had the opportunity to work
one-on-one with three different professional directors and experience
firsthand how a professional theater company operates. I felt that I
was making an important contribution to the festival while
simultaneously expanding my understanding of the art of directing and
of theater in general, and I had an incredible amount of fun along the
way. The directors I assisted mentored me throughout the summer, and I
know I can and will turn to them for advice in the future. Everyone
from the actors in the professional company to the box office staff
made me feel at home and respected. After this experience, I feel more
comfortable working with Shakespeare and more excited than ever about
pursuing a career in the theater.
Jonathan Feld Simpson College
graduate, acting intern '08
Riverside Theatre's internship is a
wonderful stepping stone for any young artist looking to break into the
professional world of theatre. Everyone is so dedicated and hard
working, it is truly inspiring. And one can not fail to mention
the camaraderie and helpfulness of the entire company. From the
very first day I felt welcome, comfortable, and I knew if I had any
concerns or questions I could ask anyone for help! Most of all,
Riverside Theatre is a bright and shining example of what a theatre
company should be - where artists can come together and learn and share
with each other while their work culminates into wonderful theatre.
Jess Gamerl Loyola University
Chicago, stage management intern '08
My experience with Riverside was a great
one. I was lucky to be in such a friendly, endearing, and
hard-working company that treated me like a fellow theatre
professional. The Equity points I gained from this experience
were helpful, but the education I received about stage managing was
priceless. I wouldn't want to experience a flood with any other
company because they were able to work through such a difficult
experience with grace, tact, and organization. I feel confident
that Riverside has given me a strong foundation of professional
experience and training that I will be able to build on for my future
in theatre.
Danielle Karczewski University of Iowa
graduate, acting intern '07
This
internship provides you with the rare opportunity to watch, listen and
learn constantly. Being around the professional company taught me so
much about not just the art and craft of acting, but also the business
of networking and selling yourself in the theatrical world. More than
anything, this is an internship for people who are committed to doing
theatre for the rest of their careers and want to optimize their skills
in order to make that happen.
Dale
Mackey Grinnell College
graduate, acting intern '06
The
internship program
is so thoughtfully constructed
and carefully executed that I was constantly impressed with the level
of
respect and trust the interns were given. The
professional company members are kind,
appreciative, and always
willing to give up their valuable time to talk, answer questions, and
offer
feedback and support. As an intern, I
was involved with almost every facet of the festival this summer and so
I was
able to see the material consequences of my hard work on a daily
basis.
My host family added another amazing layer of
support and growth to my stay. As I take
stock of my time here, I realize that I’m leaving with a strong sense
of accomplishment,
several strong friendships, invaluable knowledge and experience, and
the
conviction that I am meant to pursue a career in theatre. I can
only hope that I continue to work with
artists as kind, professional, devoid of ego, committed to their work,
talented, generous, and all-around exceptional as those I’ve
encountered at
Riverside.
Ryan Meharry University of
Missouri-Kansas City graduate, acting intern '05
I had always heard
that most theatre
companies treat their interns as
indentured servants. Riverside
must be one of the rare exceptions. There was not a single moment where
I felt
overworked and/or underappreciated. The way we interns were valued as
highly
everyone else made for a fantastic working atmosphere. My Riverside
internship not only
bolstered my
fledgling resumé, but also rekindled my desire for a life in the
theatre. This
was hands-down the best experience I've had in theatre at any level.
Carla
Pasker University of
Northern Iowa graduate, stage management intern '06
The experience I had
with Riverside
during the summer of 2006 was life
changing and unique. It gave me the opportunity to follow and learn
from
professionals in my field and experience first hand, the job. Not only
did I
learn the technical aspects of stage managing . . . but I learned
valuable life
skills. These skills included patience, confidence in my abilities, and
making
quick, important decisions. I would recommend this experience to others
because
of the skills learned and opportunities for growth that you cannot
learn in a lecture class or textbook.
Jacob Perkins
University of Minnesota, acting intern ‘09 Riverside Theater provided me with my first
professional theater credit, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time
there. I worked with an extraordinary company, developed contacts
which I hope to use in the future, and challenged myself in areas I had
never explored. The setting for the summer festival is absolutely
gorgeous, and I loved working in such an inviting and beautiful
space. I certainly hope to return in the future and continue
working with the fabulous people who make this festival happen each
year.
Sarah Pipho University of Iowa,
costume intern '08
Lots and lots of hands on
experience. The costume shop staff allowed me to take on
challenges and projects that helped me increase my skills, and were
very open to questions about the process and their experiences within
the field. Also, this company never stops. They WILL
put up the shows [even during a flood]. Their optimistic and
can-do attitude could not be swept away.
Kayla Prestel
Cornell College, acting intern ‘09 As I entered Riverside’s black box theatre on
Gilbert St that first Tuesday morning, I knew something great was about
to begin. The RTSF internship not only met my expectations, it far
exceeded them. Apart from reveling in the diverse community of
Iowa City and enjoying my lovely host home, the nine-week journey led
me to discover exciting new skills, priceless knowledge, unique
experiences and lasting relationships. I felt the 2009 Production and
Acting companies welcomed me with open arms into a safe haven for
creating. With gratitude to the Riverside Theater summer internship
program, I have the confidence and tools necessary to pursue a career
in the Theater Arts.
Ryan Seifert Winona State
University graduate, technical intern '07, professional staff '08
My internship
was a great chance for me to work with a professional company. I got
the opportunity to watch many great people work. I learned a great deal
from being able to watch the lighting designer work and see his
process. I think that this summer has given me a good idea of what to
expect in the professional world. The intern classes were very exciting
because individuals who were already working in the business taught
them. The knowledge that they shared with us will be helpful in
starting my own career. The outdoor space was also wonderful to work in.
Bethany Woodard, Chicago Knox College
graduate, Chicago theatre artist, directing intern '07
The directing
internship with RTSF was an amazingly positive experience, as well as
an excellent professional credit. Not only did I get to learn by
watching multiple directors craft multiple projects, I was given the
opportunity to work directly with cast members to help shape certain
scenes and characters. I was immediately treated with respect, trust
and eventually friendship by the company members. These remarkable
professionals created a safe environment in which to learn by doing. My
time at Riverside has helped me make contacts from around the country,
and to be more aware of regional theatre at large. I would strongly
recommend the internship to anyone committed to their own education in
the art of directing.
Jeff Worden University of Iowa
graduate, NYC actor, acting intern '05
Not only is the Intern program a great way
to actually get your foot in
the
door of an Equity playhouse, but to actually be around working actors
from New York, Chicago,
and elsewhere was a whole new learning experience in itself. The amount
of the
business and craft that you can soak up is just fantastic. I would
suggest this
internship program to anyone who is seriously considering a career in
the
theatre - you just can't let learning opportunities pass by and think
you can
succeed in a field like this.
Riverside
Theatre Shakespeare Festival/June-July
RT’s summer facility is the
Globe-inspired
Festival Stage, set against
a bluff and adjacent to a willow-ringed reflecting pond in City Park.
It has great natural acoustics - no amplification is used - and is very
performer friendly. The theatre has air-conditioned dressing rooms and
permanent audience seating for 472. RTSF operates on an LOA to a LORT D
Equity contract. EMC points are available for all non-Equity actors and
stage managers in both the professional and the intern companies.
Gilbert
Street
Season/September-April
RT’s permanent
facility is a 118-seat modified black box located in a
vibrant neighborhood near downtown Iowa City. Administrative offices
are located near the theatre, and a scenic/costume shop is located in
Coralville. Unpaid internships are available in marketing, development,
company management, technical theatre, stage management and box office
management. Qualified staff is available to supervise internships for
academic credit. For information on crafting a unique internship,
please contact the particular staff member. Not sure where you
might fit? Contact the Artistic Directors. Applications for Gilbert
Street and all year-round internships accepted on an on-going basis.
