Dobama Theatre Internship Program - Summer

For Summer 2025, Dobama is looking to select 2 Resident Associate Directors (RADs): one with a Directing focus and one with a Stage Management focus.

The Directing Summer RAD works closely with the director and instructors working on the Dobama Emerging Actors Program, acting as both an Assistant Director and a Teaching Assistant. All RADs meet regularly with Dobama staff, assist with cleaning and organization of theatre spaces in preparation for the upcoming season, as well as financial filing and operations. Other opportunities for Directing Summer RADs may include production assistance for a summer Mainstage show, workshop readings, and connections with other area theatres. Successful Directing Summer RADs come to Dobama with experience in leading rehearsals, an interest in exploring different acting techniques, and a desire to lead with curiosity and collaboration.

The Stage Management Summer RAD works closely with the director and instructors working on the Dobama Emerging Actors Program, acting as Production Stage Manager for the program, running production meetings and daily rehearsals. All RADs meet regularly with Dobama staff, assist with cleaning and organization of theatre spaces in preparation for the upcoming season, as well as financial filing and operations. Other opportunities for Stage Management Summer RADs may include production assistance for a possible summer Mainstage show, workshop readings, and connections with other area theatres. Successful Stage Management Summer RADs come to Dobama with experience in running a rehearsal room, an introductory understanding of some or all of the following areas: carpentry and set construction, lighting, sound, projections, and stage management, and a demonstrable ability to stay organized and anticipate needs.

We have also found that successful RADs are intrinsically motivated, comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, and able to communicate their needs and goals.  If you are looking to start or grow your career in theatre, we want to hear from you. All RADs are encouraged to express any interest they may have in other areas of theatre, and Dobama staff will do our best to include you in other opportunities.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Applications for summer internships are due no later than February 1. Interviews will begin January 15, and offers are made no later than March 15. All application materials should be submitted via the Google Form. 

Dobama Theatre encourages applicants to reach out in advance to have a conversation about your interest in the program and to answer any questions you may have about the theatre and any questions you may have about the submission materials. Please send any questions to WorkWithUs@dobama.org.

SCHEDULE

Summer RADs work a unique schedule due to the nature of Dobama’s summer programming. The time commitment is mostly ten hours per week that are scheduled during the theatre’s regular office hours (10am-5pm, Monday-Friday). These hours are used for administrative work, including things like staff meetings, development support, assisting with cleaning and organization of theatre spaces in preparation for the upcoming season, as well as financial filing and operations tasks.

Summer RADs also work 10 additional hours per week during the two weeks of the Dobama Emerging Actors Program (DEAP). This two-week program utilizes the supervision and skills of summer RADs as Assistant Director and Production Stage Manager for the rehearsal process and showcase of scenes and monologues performed by DEAP students. 

Summer RADs work a total of 8 weeks at Dobama. The start and end dates of those 8 weeks are flexible based on the summer RADs’ availability, but their time at Dobama must overlap with the two weeks of DEAP (July 7 - July 18, 2025).

FAQs

  • All RADs are paid $15/hour.

    Opportunities for additional hours may exist for those who are interested in being trained in front-of-house duties (box office, bartender, house manager, etc).

  • Dobama Theatre is not able to provide housing for summer or season RADs. We encourage local applicants, but we may be able to connect out-of-town applicants with affordable housing in the area.

  • Applicants must be 18 years old. Experience in educational, semi-professional, and/or professional theatre is encouraged. College students, Graduate students, non-traditional students, and those looking to make a career change are all welcome to apply.

    We find that successful RADs are intrinsically motivated, comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, and able to communicate their needs and goals. If you are looking to start or grow your career in theatre, we want to hear from you.


  • Dobama Theatre requires the following materials to be submitted with your application:

    • Three references

    • Cover Letter

    • Resume

    There is an option to submit additional materials in the application form.

    For your references, you will need to include your name, title, organization, email address, and phone number in the application form. This could include past collaborators, advisors, professors, supervisors, etc., and at least one non-academic reference. Please DO NOT submit letters of recommendation.

    The following materials should all be submitted as PDFs:

    The Cover Letter should help us get to know you as a person and may answer some of the following questions: What inspires you? What brought you to this art form in the first place? Why is this a good time in your career for this opportunity? Why is Dobama the right place for your next step? What other information do you feel would be helpful for us to know? Please limit cover letters to two pages.

    The Resume should be a list of all of your work, both artistic (i.e. any production position and any design or directing work) and non-artistic (i.e. were/are you a barista? An RA? A cashier?), along with your past training/education and any awards or special skills. Please limit resumes to one page. 

    Additional Materials (Artistic Statement, SM Binder, or Design Portfolio) are optional at this stage of the application process, but we may ask for more details  at a later time.

    An Artistic Statement is a chance for you to tell us who you are as an artist. Please write in your own voice, and try to answer some of the following questions: What kind of work excites you? How do you approach a play? What is something you’ve been wanting to explore? When was the last time you had the opportunity to learn something from a perceived “failure?” Please limit Artistic Statements to 2 paragraphs or about 200 words.

    An SM Binder should showcase your work as a stage manager on a past production. This could include blocking notes, paperwork, rehearsal reports and/or daily calls, run sheets, or any other materials that give us a sense of your work. Please submit no more than ten pages of materials.  

    A Design Portfolio could include a mix of sketches, renderings, or production photos. Please submit no more than ten pages of materials. 

  • Internships have led to many Dobama associates being employed both inside and outside Dobama. Current Director of Production Colin Anderson started as a Dobama intern, as well as multiple actors, stage managers, assistant stage managers, front-of-house personnel, and other contracted positions. We are dedicated to providing Dobama RADs with continued opportunities where available.