Professional Internships
It is with deep regret that due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we are not currently accepting applications for internships. If you would like to receive updates and announcements about our internship program please click here.
Internships
PCPA offers professional internships in multiple areas of theatre. PCPA’s master-apprentice approach to training provides unique experiences with theatre professionals both resident and guests. As an intern you will be training directly with professionals in their respective fields.
For more information about Technical Internships, please contact productionmanager@pcpa.org.
For more information about Acting Internships, please contact casting@pcpa.org
Benefits of an Internship at PCPA
• Opportunity to gain practical experience in your chosen field.
• Work in both an outdoor and indoor thrust stage.
• Taking time off before Graduate school to work in a conservatory environment and mentor less experienced students will help your process when you get to graduate school.
• Join a network of over 50 years of alumni.
• Spend your summer or fall and spring in California.
• Winter/Spring interns are required to participate in a portfolio review each semester. We help you learn to prepare and present your portfolio to the industry.
• Having completed Graduate School, build your professional portfolio.
Things to Consider
• Interns are required to be registered students of Allan Hancock College. The mandatory registration fees are covered.

• PCPA awards scholarships to a majority of the interns who are accepted. The IRS considers these scholarships taxable income.

• Interns will be informed of all required personal supplies before they accept the internship.

• The program does not offer a degree.

• Interns are scheduled, on average, for 40 to 48 hours per week.

• Internships can range between 3, 9 or 12 months with the possibility of more.

• Each department will have schedules that vary depending on your duties and the overall production schedule.

• You will not have time to keep an outside job.
While at PCPA we expect you to experience the following
• Develop strong work habits
• Be tired
• Build and refine your portfolio
• Practice your craft
• Enjoy the great California weather
• Decide if this is the best career path for you.
• Have fun
Enrollment is by interview only
To be considered for an interview PCPA’s Professional Internship applicants must submit an application form, a current resume listing previous theatre training, theater experience, and list three references. Applicants may also be requested to submit relevant portfolio items. We will contact candidates that meet PCPA’s requirements to arrange an interview. Meeting minimum qualifications does not assure a candidate an interview.
Interviews are generally over the phone or via video conference.
Additional interviews occur at SETC, USITT, KCACTF region 7 and 8, and throughout the state of California.
Exact dates and locations vary by department.
Housing
PCPA’s Company Manager can assist students in identifying reasonably priced housing options within the community. Rental costs vary greatly depending upon students’ requirements. A student can expect to pay between $600 and $1200 per month for housing costs.
Outreach Acting Interns are not required to fill out an application prior to their audition.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED INTERNSHIPS:

Carpentry

Carpentry Interns work under the supervision of the Technical Director. This internship provides students with the opportunity to work alongside professional scenic carpenters while they develop and hone their skills in all areas of scenic construction. Opportunities may include executing scenic evaluations and shop drawings. Based on skill level and desire, interns may serve as assistant technical director for an appropriately sized production.


Costume Design

Costume design interns work under the supervision of the costume shop manager and the resident costume designer. Candidates need to understand the design process and basic structure of production within the costume shop. Student interns will serve as assistants to the resident costume designer on main stage productions. Depending on experience and capabilities, interns may be offered design opportunities in PCPA's season.

Costume First Hand Technician

The first hand interns work under the supervision of the costume shop manager, the resident costume designer, and the resident cutter. Student assignments and schedules vary depending on the assessed requirements of each production. Responsibilities include cutting, fitting, altering, tailoring and manufacturing various costume pieces. Candidates should possess some tailoring experience and exceptional stitching skills.

Costume Stitcher Technician

The stitcher interns work under the supervision of the costume shop manager, the resident costume designer and the costume project initiator. Student projects include sewing mock-ups, altering/restoring garments, pressing/preparing material, hand-finishing garments, cleaning/restocking of costumes, supplies and equipment, and assisting with general shop maintenance. Prospective stitcher interns should be ready to expand their knowledge and embrace new theatrical construction techniques. Assignments and schedule vary according to production requirements.

Directing

The Directing Intern works under the supervision of the Associate Artistic Director and works directly as assistant director with multiple resident and guest directors throughout the Main Stage and Outreach Tour seasons. Directing Interns participate in the casting, design, rehearsal and tech processes on productions to which they are assigned. They work with the Stage Management Department to prepare understudies and to run understudy rehearsals. Directing Interns may work with conservatory students on independent directing projects as time allows.

Dramaturgy

The Dramaturgy Intern works under the supervision of the Literary Associate and as a dramaturg with multiple resident and guest directors throughout PCPA’s Main Stage season and Outreach Tour. Additional responsibilities may also include writing copy for programs, promotional materials and study guides, participating in public panels and discussions around season productions, reading and assessing scripts, and helping to maintain PCPA’s virtual script library.

Lighting

Lighting interns work under the supervision of the resident lighting designer and staff master electrician. An internship in lighting offers students the opportunity to serve as the lighting design assistant and /or master electrician for a wide range of productions during the Winter/Spring season. The responsibilities of lighting interns include equipment maintenance, practical construction, hanging and focusing light plots, and supervising student crews.

Musical Direction

The Musical Direction Intern works under the supervision of the resident musical director. Musical direction interns have the opportunity to serve as rehearsal accompanist for musical theater classes and professional productions, assist students and professional actors with music preparation, assist the music director in rehearsal, conduct performances, and travel to audition sites during a 5-6 week casting tour in December/January/February. There may also be the opportunity to serve as the music director for a production depending on the needs of the season and the experience level of the intern.


Outreach Acting Intern

The PCPA Acting Internship program is for experienced acting students (typically, graduates of BFA or MFA programs) who are seeking opportunities to perform, use and strengthen their craft, and acquire new strengths in an environment that believes in supporting artists as they build professional careers. Interns audition and are cast and/or understudy in mainstage productions. Interns also work with the Office Education and Outreach, forming a touring ensemble which brings the experience of professional, live theatre to school age audiences through on-site performances and programs. Equity Membership Candidacy (E.M.C.) weeks can be accrued during this internship. All Outreach Acting Interns are awarded Scholarship support.
Admission is by audition. Actors do not need to submit an application.
Please click here for information about the Audition Tour and Audition Requirements.


Props

Properties interns work under the supervision of the director of properties. An internship in stage properties offers students the opportunity to create props for a wide range of productions working with a variety of materials including plastic, wood, fabric, and metal. Interns may serve as Prop Master for a specific production, taking that production from design through rehearsal, into technical rehearsals as the chief liaison between the designer, the rehearsal process, and the build schedule in the prop shop.

Scenic Art

Scenic artist interns will assist and be under the direct supervision of the Resident Scenic Artist for a wide range of productions during the Winter/Spring Season. Interns will be exposed to a wide range of scene painting techniques, from textured, sculptural scenery and slick realistic faux finishes, to flat painted two-dimensional scenery. Depending on intern interest and skill level, there is an opportunity for scenic artist interns to act as charge artist for one or more productions. As charge artist, the intern will budget, provide samples, supervise a crew and be responsible for the painting of an entire show to the specifications of the scenic designer.

Scenic Design Assistant

Scenic design interns work under the supervision of the resident scenic designer on design work by the resident scenic designer, additional staff designers, and guest designers. Duties include production of bid drafting, rough models, final drafting, and final models under deadline circumstances. In addition, interns conduct period research, supervise student assistants, and attend meetings and rehearsals as needed. The interns will be asked to assist staff with scenic painting and properties construction on a project-specific basis. Interns should possess good organizational skills as well as strong oral and written communication skills. Depending on experience and capabilities, interns may be offered design opportunities.

Sound

Sound interns learn under the supervision of the sound director, serve as assistant to the resident sound designer, and assist with the managing of the sound department. The responsibilities of sound interns may include installing and maintaining audio and video equipment for productions, mix engineering for musicals, and supervising student crews. The sound intern should expect to learn about sound design, sound engineering including analog and/or digital multitrack recording, P.A. or monitor mix, sound system troubleshooting, and theatrical sound design. Knowledge of theatre process is essential. Based on experience and abilities, the intern may be offered design opportunities during the Winter/Spring Season

Stage Management

Stage management interns will serve as Assistant Stage Managers and/or Stage Managers for main stage productions throughout the season. The outreach intern will stage manage the education and outreach productions during the winter/spring season. In addition to regular stage management duties, interns will mentor production assistants and assist in general office duties. Interns are eligible to join the Actors' Equity Association's Membership Candidacy Program and can accrue membership candidacy weeks, if they so choose.

PCPA’s Mission

PCPA values excellence and professionalism in all aspects of its company and public life. Integral to this position is the demonstration of practical initiative; respectful, courteous and cooperative relationships; affirmative, efficient and ethical working practices. Successful PCPA interns derive deep personal fulfillment from the exemplary completion of their duties, and in the flexibility required to respond to emergent challenges and opportunities, in accomplishment of the evolving work of the theatre and its training programs. PCPA expects a strong commitment to the mission of the theatre in service to task, colleague, company and community.


Business Office
805 928-7731
pcpa@pcpa.org
Box Office
805 922-8313
boxoffice@pcpa.org

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