Internships in dance can be found in a variety of areas, such as production, administration, education, outreach, and development. Internship eligibility varies by organization. Many are only open to college students, while others are open to high school students as well as non-students. Competition for internships with prestigious dance companies or organizations can be fierce.
Interns working in the production category have the opportunity to work with technical crews. Internships in dance can focus on lighting, sound, set construction, props, and other areas of production support. Videography and photography may be performed by other production interns to assist with the production. Especially when a company is ramping up for a production, this work can be hands-on and require long and unusual hours.
Administrative dance internships can include a variety of office activities, such as working in the box office, managing the dance company’s payroll, and other administrative responsibilities. Interns in this position are expected to have a strong sense of organization as well as excellent communication skills. Some may be assigned to assist specific members of the administration, such as the artistic or production director, while others may float around the office as needed.
Other internship opportunities may be available as a result of your dance education. Interns may assist instructors or lead classes. They can also go to schools and other locations to work with students who are unable to attend dance studio classes. If they plan to teach their own classes, interns interested in dance education will typically need dance skills as well as some educational training.
Internships in outreach dance are also available. Dance companies, as well as organizations dedicated to advancing the cause of dance, need to focus on marketing and public relations. Interns may assist with lobbying efforts with government officials, advertising campaigns, and public relations initiatives such as providing free tickets to schools so that students can attend performances. Interns interested in these positions should have good people skills.
Large companies and organizations frequently offer development dance internships. Interns in development work with donors and supporters to increase the endowment of the organization. They might also identify new business opportunities, such as hosting conferences or expanding festival offerings.
In some cases, dance internship applicants may be eligible for paid or subsidized internships. Some employers may also provide them with housing and food assistance. Summer internships and sessions at other times of the year, which may be flexible to accommodate students and working dancers, are available.