Performing Intern Program

The following is information on our performing intern program. Please feel free to contact the theatre at our email address with any further questions. cortlandrep@hotmail.com

If you are interested in becoming a Performing Intern at CRT, we must see you audition. Please check the Audition page for updates on dates and places.

We like to think that our intern program is a better-than-average program you may experience at other theatres. Because of this, we are looking for better-than-average interns. We audition our interns just as specifically as we do our leading roles. If you get hired here as an intern, you know that you have something special. We are looking for not only good performers, but hard workers and people who are dedicated to the "quality of the end result." Have no doubt – you will work hard, you will learn a lot, and when you finish your stay with us, you will have a better understanding of how a professional theatre works.

Questions and Answers

How many interns will there be? We will hire 6 Performing Interns, usually three men and three women. We are also seeking a Scenic Shop Intern, Costume Shop Intern, a Stage Management Intern, and a Sound Engineer Intern. See more information about the Technical Interns.

Payment: We pay all our performing interns a stipend of $125.00 a week. No, you don’t pay us anything!

Housing: Housing is provided and spread out over two apartment houses across the street from each other. Almost all the actors and technicians will be housed there. All the bedrooms are small single rooms, but you will share the apartment (kitchen, bathrooms and living space) with 2, 3 or 4 other people. Laundry facilities are located in the basement. It is in walking distance to downtown and to the rehearsal site. However, a car is GREATLY useful because the grocery store is about a 5 minute drive and the theatre itself is about a 20 minute drive.

Because this is college housing, we will move out on or about August 19, to be re-located to private housing. Our Guild and Board members are very welcoming - they’ve been doing this for years - and they are all extremely nice and easy-going.

Dates: You must be able to arrive no later than May 20, 2008. Rehearsals for 8-Track and our children’s show Wiley and the Hairy Man begin on Tuesday, May 21. Our season runs until August 30; however we understand that many interns need to return to school before that and we are somewhat flexible as to when your contract will end.

Equity Points? CRT operates under a Guest Artist contract with Actors’ Equity Association, and so can not unfortunately offer points towards an Equity card.

What are the duties? You will be asked to perform AND do shop duties on a rotating schedule.

All the performing interns will be in at least one mainstage show and our children’s show - Note that these may be performed AT THE SAME TIME. Which means you may be rehearsing a show during the day and performing in a show at night. It’s exhausting, but a terrific opportunity to get some great performance experience under your belt.

Our interns could possibly play leading roles in our mainstage shows. In the past, interns have played such roles as Tommy and Winnie in Annie Get Your Gun, Shelby in Steel Magnolias, Kim and Hugo in Bye Bye Birdie, and Tommy and Zanetta in The Music Man. A Dance Captain, if necessary for the show, may be an intern as well.

When you are not performing or rehearsing, you will have shop duties. We rotate the assignments, so everyone has a chance to work on sets, costumes, props and lights. When the shows are running, you may also work backstage as a dresser or running crew. The entire company also assists with strikes.

Days Off? There is one day off a week, which varies depending on the show schedule of that week. We try to organize fun things to do with your time free or at least give you plenty of information about what is in the area. Also when you are not performing at night or working backstage, your evenings are free.

Comp tickets? You get two for each of the six shows.

Workshops: Many of our directors and choreographers are more than willing to hold audition, acting or dance classes. These will be arranged during the summer when there is time in the schedule. These classes will be at times so as not to conflict with other duties and rehearsals that need to get done (which will be tough, but we’ll try). You will have the opportunity to work closely with some professional directors and choreographers from New York City and elsewhere.

Pets? No sorry, absolutely no pets are allowed. Please find a summer home for Rover and Fluffy, because they cause huge problems when the housing crunch is on, and are not allowed in the cast housing.

Thanks again for your interest! If you have any other questions, drop us an email. Please do not call. Good luck!