VTF College Intern Program

Virginia Thespians is pleased to be accepting applications for the 3rd year of our new College Intern Program providing hands-on professional experience for college students during our annual 3-day educational conference serving over 1200 student thespians from across the state of Virginia.

At this time, these are unpaid internships but, you will receive documentation of hours you can use towards credits, service hours, and/or work experience with professionals in the field. Virginia Thespians, as an organization, is exploring options for financial assistance / stipends in the future to try to make this accessible to all.

Apply for an Internship Today! (whether you are in school or not, 18-25 year olds are eligible)

THREE TRACKS TO CHOOSE FROM:

Within each track, interns may apply and be considered for a Focused Internship Placement with a specific position that carries throughout the weekend OR they may apply and be accepted for a general internship track where they will be placed wherever needed and may float between a variety of mentors and experiences.

Assignments are based on experience, interests, festival needs and supervisor availability.

Technical Theatre Track

• Assist with load-in, setup, changeovers, backstage operations, and load-out for festival performances and events.
• Depending on experience and festival needs assist with stage management, lighting, sound, deck operations, props, and other technical areas.

 

• Examples of Focused Internship Areas in this Track May Include: (Note: these positions may have some limited pre-festival meetings or trainings with mentors required)
  • Hilton Ballroom One Acts Technical Team (lighting, sound, stage management)
  • Mainstage Technical Production Intern
  • Ceremony Stage Manager Production Intern
  • One-Act Competition Stage Managment / Operations Intern
  • Learning-Lab / Workshop Assistant

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Event Administration & Festival Operations Track

Gain hands-on experience in the planning, coordination and operations of a large-scale educational theatre festival while working alongside Virginia Thespians staff, board members, and industry professionals.

Interns may be considered for a focused internship placement with a specific department, professional, or area of responsibility, or may serve as a General Intern across multiple areas.

General Intern Duties May Include:

• Assist with on-site festival operations and/or pre-festival planning, including event planning, marketing, communications, photography, media, registration, customer service, artist hospitality, and other areas.
• Shadow VTF staff and board members to gain insight into nonprofit event planning and festival operations.
• Develop professional skills in communication, organization, teamwork, problem-solving, customer service, and event management.
• Build professional connections with VTF staff, artists, educators, venue professionals, and other industry professionals.

 

• Examples of Focused Internship Areas in this track may include: (Note: these positions may have some limited pre-festival meetings or trainings with mentors required)
  • Photography & Media Assistant (3 positions available)
  • Guest Services & Workshop Management - Hilton
  • Guest Services & Workshop Management - Cap One
  • Marketing & Communications
  • Pre-Festival Logistics Planning
  • Pre-Festival Marketing & Media
  • Student Events Assistant
  • Merchandising & Spirit Store Operations

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Teaching Artist Track (limited based on guest artist/mentor availability)

Teaching Artist opportunities are limited and are dependent on guest artist, teaching artist, and mentor availability, as well as festival programming needs. These are appropriate for performance majors or education majors.

General Teaching Artist Intern Experiences May Include:

• Assist or co-teach workshops and facilitate on-site educational activities or events
• Work alongside professional teaching artists and guest artists to gain hands-on experience working with student performers.
• Build professional connections and participate in one-on-one networking and mentorship with an industry professional.
• Learn about the role of the teaching artist and how becoming a teaching artist can be an important career pathway and/or supplemental source of income for performing arts professionals.
  
• Advanced Education Majors (Juniors/Seniors) may be considered for opportunities to develop and teach a workshop or lesson under supervision. Students pursuing this option must apply with a faculty supervisor or teacher/VTF Board Member sponsor who can review lesson plans, attend their workshop sessions and provide appropriate feedback.
  

 

• Examples of Focused Internships Areas in this track may include: (Note: these positions may have some limited pre-festival meetings or trainings with mentors required)
  • Teaching Artist Assistant (assigned to a specific guest artist for the weekend)
  • Dance Workshop Assistant
  • Education/Workshop Development Intern

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INFORMATION FOR COLLEGES

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE INTERNS

Colleges can support student interns in a variety of ways depending on the goals of your program. These might include:

• Letting students know about the opportunity
• Offering volunteer or practicum credit for participation
• Alpha Psi Omega, Delta Psi Omega, or other fraternal organization chapters may provide volunteer hours
• Sponsoring travel or lodging for the event
  

• All 2026-2027 College Intern Positions are unpaid.
  
• On-site Internships begin Thursday, January 14, 2027 - Sunday, January 17, 2027
• Limited Off-site administrative internships are available for those who can not travel but would like experience with behind-the-scenes administrative or marketing/promotional work.
• You may apply for one or two day experiences if you can not attend the entire event cycle.

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Important Dates!

• November 8, 2026: Applications Due
  

• November 12, 2026: Applicants Notified of Acceptance
  

• Nov. 19, 2026: Final Adult Registrations Due
  

• January 14: Festival Load-In Day
  

• January 15 - 17, 2027: Dates of the 2027 Festival!

College Intern Application - CLICK HERE!