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Design / Technical Internships
Professional Internship Program
The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, through its affiliation with PCPA Theaterfest, offers professional internships for advanced students who wish to update, develop, and refine their skills in a dynamic and creative environment. 3-month, 9-month and 12-month internships are available.
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.
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.
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.
Properties
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.
Stage Management
Stage management interns work under the supervision of the production stage manager. The interns serve as stage manager or assistant stage manager for main stage season and education and outreach productions throughout the Winter/Spring season. In addition to regular stage management duties, interns also assist staff with technical theatre conservatory students in stage management production and performance lab situations. Interns also assist the production stage manager with general production office tasks. Interns are eligible to join the Actors' Equity Association's Membership Candidacy Program and can accrue membership candidacy weeks, if they so choose.
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.
Sound
Sound interns work 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 include installing and maintaining audio and video equipment for productions, mix engineering for musicals, and supervising student crews. The sound intern should have a well-rounded background in audio technologies, including analog and/or digital multitrack recording, P.A. or monitor mix engineering, 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.
Program Requirements
All interns are required to be registered students. Interns in the summer program are offered the opportunity to enroll for as may as 16 units (depending on eligibility). Interns in the winter/spring program register for Drama 302A, Internship in Technical Theatre (6 units) during the first semester, and Drama 302B, Internship in Technical Theatre (6 units) during the second semester. The typical winter/spring internship is 35 weeks (September through the end of May) with a two-to-three-week break at the end of December. Fall/spring interns are evaluated twice each semester to help monitor progress and provide constructive feedback about the internship experience.
Scholarships
PCPA offers a number of scholarships to support the intern-student while participating in the program. Currently these scholarships are in the neighborhood of $9,400 for the nine-month winter/spring term. Intern Scholarship applications can be found on the PCPA Web site. The IRS considers these scholarships taxable income. Interns are encouraged to keep track of all educational expenses in order to reduce tax liability.
Contact Us
Conservatory Coordinator
PCPA
800 S College Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93454-6399
(805) 928-7731 ex. 4115
Email audition@pcpa.org
www.pcpa.org
PCPA is The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts of Allan Hancock College | |
