Internships

Inventive. Collaborative. Transformative

Lookingglass Interns are current, or recently graduated, college or graduate students interested in taking the first step towards a career in professional theatre administration or production. Given Lookingglass’ commitment to ensemble-based new work & adaptations, interns should be interested in working in a highly collaborative environment and ready to take on whatever comes their way. While interns should have some basic experience in their position of interest, the internship should be seen as an opportunity to learn and further develop the administrative or technical skills they already possess.

Lookingglass interns are essential team members in their department with a direct supervisor who will outline most of their responsibilities. Additionally, they are afforded many opportunities to learn how the company operates as a whole. Interns will interact with staff and artists regularly, have networking opportunities with fellow interns, and be offered educational forums with company leaders. At the end of their time with Lookingglass, all interns should have a sound understanding of the industry, and a strong outlook on whether or not a career in professional theatre is right for them.

Prospective interns must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, should be knowledgeable in Microsoft Word and Excel, and have an interest in working in a highly collaborative environment. Internships are unpaid, but scheduling is flexible to best fit your needs. Interns receive complimentary tickets to all Lookingglass productions (as well as industry offers when available), and academic credit (if available through College/University). Candidates should be able to commit to at least 15 hours per week, for a minimum of 12-weeks. Administrative Internship hours will generally be fulfilled between 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday. 

Interested applicants should send a brief Cover Letter, Resume,  two references (letters or contact information), and a completed Internship Application. Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted. Application sessions for each are as follows:

Summer Internships (June — August) | Deadline March 1, 2013
Fall Internships (September — December)
Winter/Spring Internships (January — May) | Design Deadline November 21, 2012

Contact Information:

Applications may be submitted electronically to Katie Dysard at KDysard@lookingglasstheatre.org or write to:

Internship Program
John Hancock Center
875 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 1430
Chicago, IL 60611

Please submit any questions regarding your application or the program to Katie Dysard via e-mail.

Lookingglass Theatre Company currently offers Internship positions in the following areas:
(Please click on any of the below positions for a more detailed description.)

Development
Education & Community Programs – Administration
Education & Community Programs – Camp (summer only)
Marketing
Graphic Design
Production Management
Production – Electrics
Production – Sound
Production – Technical Direction
Production – Wardrobe

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DEVELOPMENT

The Development Intern is a key staff member in Lookingglass’ Development Office.  Lookingglass is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation that operates on a budget of roughly $3.5 million and raises nearly $2 million in contributed income annually.  To assist in this significant fundraising endeavor, the Development Intern should have some basic experience working in an office setting, including proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, and an interest in the administrative aspects of running a mid-size arts organization including record-keeping, donor correspondence, donor relations, and event planning.  A high standard of professional conduct is expected of the Development Intern.  He/she will be expected to work 10-15 hours per week, during normal business hours and some weekend and evening events as necessary, for a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks.

Specific Duties Include:

• Preparing materials for special events
• Conducting mail merges
• Writing acknowledgment and solicitation letters
• Filing
• Maintaining Lookingglass’ donor database
• Preparing materials for Board and committee meetings
• Creating and maintaining visibility materials
• Conducting donor research
• Additional projects as assigned

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EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS – Administrative

The Education Intern is a key staff member in our Department of Education and Community Programs. During the academic year, E&C operates three sessions of Studio classes, over 30 school and community programs on-site throughout Chicago, the year-long Young Ensemble program, and several other events, including workshops, student matinee performances, etc. The Spring season is dedicated to preparing for Summer camps. The Summer months in E&C are dedicated to operating four summer camp programs for students aged 5 years to 18 years. The E&C department reaches over 15,000 students, families and community members annually through its various programs. During the academic year, the Education intern will be expected to work 10-15 hours per week during normal business hours, for a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks.

 

Specific Duties Include:

• Answering the E&C main phone line
• Accepting and processing registrations for classes and camps
• Processing and organizing forms for camps
• Assisting E&C staff in preparations for programs, including camps
• Taking inventory of supplies, library, props, costumes
• Assisting E&C staff with specific programs operating on-site
• Supporting company-wide events
• Attending fairs and representing the education department

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EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS – Camp
(Camp positions available during the summer session only)

During the summer, E&C operates four summer camp programs for students aged 5 years to 18 years. These programs take place at Lookingglass Theatre in downtown Chicago, as well as off-site in Lincoln Park and Hyde Park. All Education Camp Interns will be based on-site at either our Arts Quest Camp (Lincoln Park), Summerglass Camp (Downtown Michigan Ave), Summer Camp on the Lake (Hyde Park), or our Lookingglass Lab Program (Downtown Michigan Ave). On-site camp interns must be available and willing to work for full day (9am-3pm) for the duration of the specific program sessions.

Typically, these programs serve about 350 students over the course of 10 weeks. Each of the programs has a specific thematic focus of teaching Lookingglass' core values of Invention, Transformation and Collaboration. More information can about Lookingglass' summer programs can be found at www.lookingglasstheatre.org/education.

Specific Duties Include:

• Supporting lead teaching artists in daily activities
• Assisting in the needs of the Group Leaders
• Organizing supplies taking inventory of supplies needed
• Providing additional supervision to students during lunch
• Providing additional supervision to students while on field trips to cultural institutions across Chicagoland.
• Assisting in the final performances and open house after each session

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MARKETING

The Marketing Intern works closely with the Director of Marketing and Marketing Coordinator to promote season and single ticket sales. They are given a great deal of ownership and responsibility over long term projects and are expected to manage their own workflow. Excellent internet research skills are required.

Specific Duties Include:

• Manages our archive of printed materials, images, video and publicity
• Handles basic database and mailing list maintenance
• Executes distribution plan for printed materials
• Maintains printed materials at the theatre
• Provides support during special events (evening and weekend hours)
• Manages blog, Facebook and MySpace pages
• Assists with the Lookingglass Study Guide
• Fulfills administrative tasks as needed

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GRAPHIC DESIGN

The graphic design intern will support both the general graphic design needs and assist with marketing and promotional needs at Lookingglass Theatre. She/He will focus on newspaper promotion, website updates, and maintaining a specific look when designing supporting materials for Lookingglass events.

Please be able to commit to 10-15 hours per week. Applicant should have a base in the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong understanding of basic typography (leading, kerning, etc). Applicant should also be willing to maintain current naming conventions and organization procedures for the design files on our FTP. Preference will be given to students who are able to assist on Monday and Friday mornings with the advertisement schedule, but applicants will not be eliminated for conflicting schedules.

Specific Duties Include:

• Responsible for listings and advertisements in local newspapers and periodicals during the production run
• Willing to gain experience using a CMS system, if/when necessary. Dreamweaver is helpful, but not necessary here
• Responsibilities may include e-blast headers and website headers
• Assistance with archiving and cataloging of Lookingglass Imagery
• Additional projects as assigned
• Participation in marketing meetings if his/her schedule permits

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PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

The Production Management Intern will integrate into the Production Department at Lookingglass to assist with both daily and long-term upkeep of productions and production’s more administrative side. Production Interns should have some basic knowledge of theatre practice and terminology and basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access. Production Management background is preferable, but not required. He/She will focus on pre-production, playbill, scheduling, budgets and maintenance of production facilities. The Production Management Intern will be expected to work 10-20 hours per week during non-peak production times; however, he/she will be expected to work 20-30 hours per week during the load-in and technical rehearsal period of any mainstage production.

Specific Duties Include:

• Maintenance of inventory and production databases.
• Entering of payables upon receipt.
• Payables filing/tracking.
• Processing/distribution of weekly payroll and vendor checks.
• Vendor communications.
• Assist in the preparation of materials for Playbill.
• Assist with strike of productions, as necessary.
• Additional projects as assigned.

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PRODUCTION - ELECTRICS

The Electrics Intern will work directly under the supervision of the resident Master Electrician to realize the lighting design for each production. He/She should have a basic background in electrics with some experience working on electrics crews and running a light board. Responsibilities will include assisting with load-in, hang and focus, tech notes, maintenance of electrics during the run of the productions, and strike. Additionally the Electrics Intern will train and sub on the light board during the run of productions.

Specific Duties Include:

• Serve on electrics load-in and focus crew.
• Assist with electrics notes during tech and previews.
• Maintenance of electrics equipment during the run of the show.
• Train on the lightboard as a substitute operator.
• Additional projects as assigned.

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PRODUCTION – SOUND

The Sound Intern will work directly with Sound Engineer and Assistant Sound Designer on each production. The Sound Intern should have background in Sound Design or Sound Engineering, but must have basic knowledge of sound install. Responsibilities include but are not limited to assisting with the load-in, speaker hangs, tech notes, maintenance of sound equipment during the run of the productions, and strike. Additionally the Sound Intern will train and sub on the Sound board during the run of productions.

Specific Duties Include:

• Serve on sound load-in crew.
• Assist with sound notes during tech and previews, as needed.
• Maintenance of sound equipment during the run of the show.
• Train on the sound board as a substitute operator.
• Additional projects as assigned.

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PRODUCTION – TECHNICAL DIRECTION

The Technical Direction Intern will be an integral part of the Production Team at Lookingglass. Under the guidance of the Technical Director and Assistant Technical Director, Intern will assist with pre-production build, maintenance of scene shop and water tower theatre, maintenance of equipment, and strike of productions. Technical Direction Intern should have basic carpentry skills, desire to work in a fast-paced environment, and basic theatre background. Intern will be expected to work 15-20 hours per week at our off-site Scene Shop during regular business weeks; however, Intern will be expected to work 20-30 hours per week during the load-in, technical rehearsal, or strike period of the mainstage show.

Specific Duties Include:

• Assist with pre-production build.
• Assist with load-in and installation of set in mainstage theatre.
• Maintenance of equipment at Scene Shop.
• Maintenance of facilities at Water Tower Water Works theatre.
• Assist with strike of scenery at end of production run.
• Additional projects as assigned.

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PRODUCTION – WARDROBE

Wardrobe Interns will work directly with Lookingglass’ full-time Wardrobe Supervisor, David Galbreath. Wardrobe Intern applicants should have some educational background in Costume Design, Construction, and/or Wardrobe Crew at a university or college level.  Hair and Make-up experience is a plus, but not necessary.  This internship is geared towards students and professionals who need additional education while working on a professional production. Interns will assist with pre-production load in of costumes, setting- up dressing rooms and all quick change areas, assist with costume maintenance and construction through Opening, learn the costume change tracks for the show, any wig and hair maintenance as necessary. Wardrobe interns have the opportunity to work with the Costume Designer and Costume Design Assistant during Tech.  Depending on applicant’s availability before tech, there is the option of working on smaller projects in our new costume shop. Wardrobe Interns will also work with Wardrobe Supervisor and Production Management on the organization and maintenance of the company's Costume Storage.

Specific Duties Include:

• Being present the weeks of Tech and Previews (30+ hours a week)
• Assist with pre-production set-up: Dressing Rooms, Quick Change Areas, etc.
• Learning the costume change tracks and running them.
• Being available to work nights, Thursday matinees, and/or weekends after show opens. (15 hours a week)
• Pre-show and post- show laundry (Daily)
• Maintenance of Costumes and any Hair Pieces/Wigs, as needed.
• Weekly maintenance of Wardrobe and Dressing Rooms.
• Maintenance of facilities and stock at off-site Costume Storage.
• Assist with strike of costumes at end of production run.
• Additional projects as assigned.

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PRODUCTION - OTHER

Don't see what you're looking for here? Or can't decide? Lookingglass works with individuals to customize internships based on each individual's specific experience and needs. Please apply for a general Production Management internship and note your specialty area of interest (i.e. rigging, scenic design, lighting design, etc.).