It's showtime: our annual listing of internships can help raise the curtain on a terrific career in show business - offerings from theater groups, TV and radio stations, casting agencies, and productions companies - The Business of Entertainment - Cover Story - Brief Article - Directory

Black Enterprise, Dec, 1997 by Nicole Graves

Our annual listing of internships can help raise the curtain on a terrific career in show business

INTERESTED IN MAKING YOUR LIVING IN THE ENTERTAINMENT field? It's an exciting, animated industry offering a wide range of opportunities from backstage to center stage, and enough flexibility to stretch a talented person like you to the maximum.

Getting started, however, takes some work, but it isn't impossible. Unless you have famous parents, chances are you'll have to do what everyone else does--get in on the ground floor. One of the best ways to beat out rivals is to take advantage of internships offered by various theater groups, television and radio stations, casting and other entertainment-related agencies and production companies. These slots aren't easy to find, but thanks to our annual listing of internships, anyone intent on breaking into the business can get a heads up on the competition. You may not get paid a dime, but you'll earn a fortune in hands-on experience and useful contacts. So, get busy and break a leg!

THEATER

Alley Theatre Attn: Bettye Fitzpatrick Director of Internships 615 Texas Ave. Houston, TX 77002 713-228-9341, ext.319

Positions in arts administratian, casting, company management, general management, development, dramaturgy, marketing, public relations, costuming, technical direction, props, sound, lighting and stage management. Flexible schedule; winter (January-March)' spring (March-May) and fall (September-December) internships available. About 20-30 interns accepted each year.

Pay: Nonpaying; college credit can be arranged.

Eligibility: Same college experience.

Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Foundation Inc. Attn: Internship Program 211 West 61st St., 3rd Fl. New York, NY 10023 212-767-0590

Year-round positions are available in development, marketing and production. Two-month minimum commitment.

Pay: Nonpaying.

Eligibility: High school diploma required, same college preferred.

Deadline: February 1 for spring/summer; September 15 for fall/winter.

American Conservatory Theater Attn: Susan West 30 Grant Ave., 6th Fl. San Francisco, (A 94108 415-439-2337 www.act-sfbay.org

Full-time production openings from September to May. Positions are available in stage management, scenic design, costuming, lighting design and props. (all or write for an application, or download an application from ACT's Web site.

Pay: Production interns receive $165 per week. (Nonpaying artistic internships are also offered throughout the year, subject to availability.)

Eligibility: College students with an interest in theater.

Deadline: April 15 far production

Crossroads Theatre Co. Attn: Internship Department 7 Livingston Ave. New Brunswirk, NJ 08901 732-249-5581

This African American theater company offers internships in stage management, lighting, costume design, marketing, production management, props and sound. The lighting position runs August-May. The remaining positions run September-June.

Pay: Interns receive a weekly stipend of $200.

Eligibility: college students and graduates.

Deadline: June 30.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Attn: Darrell Ayers Education Department The Kennedy Center Washington, DC 20566 202-416-8807

Positions are available in a range of areas including advertising, arts education, development, National Symphony Orchestra, press office, programming, American College Theater Festival and production.

Pay: Monthly stipend of S650.

Eligibility: Upper level undergraduate students and graduates who have been out of school two years or less.

Deadline: November 1 for winter/spring; March 1 for summer; June 1 far fall.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Attn: Jay Spivack Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations 70 Lincoln Center Plaza New York, NY 10023-6583 No phone calls.

Two full-time, 1 2-week internships in arts administration run from June to August.

Pay: Weekly stipend of $450.

Eligibility: One year of graduate school work toward an M.A., M.B.A., M.F.A. or on equivalent degree and a demonstrated interest in a career in arts management.

Deadline: Early February.

FILM AND TELEVISION

Black Entertainment Television Attn: Patrirk Castro Human Resources I/S Assistant 1 BET Plaza 1900 W Plate NE Washington, DC 20018 202-608-2081 Internship positions are available during spring, fall and summer terms in various departments intruding production, public relations, special projects, legal, marketing, the Saundstage Restaurant, programming and fashion. Send a resume and rover letter stating area of interest.

Pay: Nonpaying; must apply toward school credit.

Eligibility: High school seniors or college students interested in communications.

Deadline: Applications accepted on a railing basis.

Home Box Office (HBO) Attn: Stephanie Grassian Human Resources Specialist 1100 Ave. of the Americas New York, NY 10036 No phone calls.

HBO offers internships in a variety of areas, including production, finance and accounting, marketing, creative services and media relations.