Theatre Network of Texas College Paid Internship Program

DESCRIPTION

Theatre Network of Texas, Inc (TNT) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the theatres and artists of Texas and the communities they serve. TNT, with the support of the the Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation, sponsors college internships to address the needs of theatres and students in the discipline of live theatre.

GOAL

The goal of the program is to expose students to the theatre profession by:

• providing firsthand experience working with and in theatres;
• giving an overview of current issues in the profession;
• facilitating job opportunities through contacts made in the Texas theatre community.

ELIGIBILITY

• Must have graduated  / completed high school course work and received high school diploma.
• Completed Sophomore year of college after high school graduation. (Advanced placement and completion of college courses while still enrolled in high school does NOT qualify as completion.)
• Majoring in any aspect of theatre i.e. education, administration, etc.
• Graduate Students are eligible
• Students of every race, religion, gender, ethnic and economic background and sexual preference are eligible to apply.
• Must be a member of TNT at the Student ($20) level at the time of application
• Must be available to attend TEXFest in Odessa for interviews – March 11 – 15, 2026
• Must be a resident of Texas or attend a Texas university with a Texas address
• Must have a drivers license and reliable transportation
• Must be available for orientation, the internship and the debriefing from May 15, 2026 – July 27, 2026

Applicants must submit all application attachments (Transcript, Resumé, Letter of Recommendation, Essay) to be considered.

PERIOD AND SITES OF INTERNSHIP
Ten weeks beginning with orientation – May 15, 2026 and finishing with a debriefing on July 27, 2026 both in Fort Worth, Texas (THESE ARE IN PERSON AND NOT OPTIONAL.) Following orientation, interns will have five week residencies at two different theatres culminating in a debriefing. Please note: the host theatre chooses the intern they want, as opposed to the intern choosing the theatre.

Interns will get the opportunity to learn about administrative, artistic and technical aspects of working in theatre. Each theatre determines what work interns will do. Past interns have worked backstage and in administrative offices, helped with summer theatre camps, performed in shows, constructed costumes, etc.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Depending on the theatres chosen for placements, the residencies may include artistic, technical and administrative experiences and duties. The focus of the internship is determined by the individual theatres. Interns will be mentored during their placements by the heads of the divisions in which they work. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A PERFORMANCE-BASED INTERNSHIP.

Some previous placements have included: Theatre Three, Shakespeare Dallas, Dallas Summer Musicals, Dallas Children’s Theater, Kitchen Dog Theater, Amarillo Little Theatre, Stage West, Hip Pocket Theatre, Theatre Arlington, S.T.A.G.E. Bulverde, WaterTower Theatre, Unity Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, ACE Theatre, Stages Repertory Theatre,  The Alley Theatre, The Point Theatre, Hill Country Community Theatre, Temple Civic Theatre, Plaza Theatre Company, ArtsView Children’s Theatre, Baytown Little Theater, Rover Dramawerks, Fredericksburg Theater Company, Vive Les Artes, Playhouse 2000 and Beaumont Community Players.

TERMS OF INTERNSHIP / REQUIREMENTS

• Interns must have a valid drivers license. Interns are responsible for their own transportation to / from interviews, orientation, placement and debriefing.
• Interns must be available for travel throughout the period.
• Interns must be able to commit to the completion of the ten week program. Exceptions may be made with advance notice.
• Interns must have demonstrated communication skills.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed by TNT staff and Executive Director. Interviews will take place in March at TEXFest 2026.

Applicants are required to submit the following materials:

• TNT Membership at the Student Level – $20
• Application Form
• Most current college transcript (official copy or web PDF copy)
• Letter of recommendation from a college professor in the student’s field of study
• Complete resumé of work/experience/roles/teaching experience/technical experience, etc.
• 500 word essay on why you would make a good candidate for this internship.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications and attachments should be emailed / postmarked  no later than Friday, January 30, 2026, and sent to:

preston@texastheatres.org with Subject Title: First Initial.Last Name Internship Application – i.e.: J.Doe Internship Application

Or mailed to:

Multicultural Initiatives Internship

Theatre Network of Texas, Inc.

P.O. Box 470672

Fort Worth, TX 76147

Attachments may be sent separately from application, but all materials must be in by the January deadline. Applications and/or attachments postmarked or emailed after January 30 will not be accepted.

Questions should be addressed to

Preston Isham, Programs Manager, at the above address, by email at preston@texastheatres.org.

Applicants will be notified of acceptance for interview by early-February 2026.