Internships

Administrative internships are available for University of Chicago students through the Kemper Foundation Arts Fellowship Program detailed below. If you are a student at another Chicago college or university and are interested in interning at Court Theatre, please email Intern Coordinator Brea Hayes to discuss possibilities.

KEMPER FELLOWSHIPS for University of Chicago Students

Court Theatre is thrilled to participate in a program dedicated to providing hands-on experience in arts management and non-profit leadership to students of all backgrounds. The goal of the Fellowship is to help educate the next generation of arts leaders and to promote diversity of education, experience, and ethnic and economic background in the field. Court Theatre joins Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Pegasus Players, the Ragdale Foundation, Chicago Chamber Musicians, and Silk Road Theatre Project in this effort. For more information on the James S. Kemper Foundation, visit www.jskemper.org. The internship experience consists of quarter-long positions in various administrative departments. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to two different departments and consider the experience a two-quarter commitment.
Internships opportunities at Court Theatre for 2011/2012 season include:

• Development (Fall, Winter, Spring)
• General Management (Spring)
• Grant Writing (Fall, Winter)
• Marketing (Fall, Winter, Spring)
• Website and Online Marketing (Winter, Spring)
• Casting (Winter)
• Special Events (Spring)

Responsibilities and Opportunities: We expect that each University of Chicago student will bring to their internship a willingness to learn and a desire to contribute to Court Theatre’s artistry and goals. All internships will offer practical experience as well as an opportunity to attend select rehearsals, performances, production, staff and committee meetings, as well as special events. Student interns will be expected to organize their time well, communicate efficiently and appropriately with others, respond to the timely requests of their supervisors, and present themselves in a professional and focused manner at all Court activities.

Compensation: Due to the generous support of the James S. Kemper Foundation, Court Theatre is able to provide student interns a stipend of $1,000 per quarter for 100 hours of work.

Duration and Commitment: dministrative internships are available for roughly nine weeks during Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. Individual intern schedules consist of eleven hours a week starting the second week of classes. Students must be able to schedule eleven hours per week within Court’s business hours of 9-5.

Internship Descriptions

Development: The Development Intern will assist Court Theatre’s Development Department on various projects such as our annual direct mail and telephone fundraising campaigns, proposals to corporations and foundations, and special events, including board meetings and opening nights. This is an exciting opportunity to learn the basics about fundraising for a non-profit arts organization.

General Management: This internship’s focus is on observing institutional leadership on a day-to-day basis. The Intern will be present at a variety of meetings with theater staff, University staff and faculty, Trustees and major donors, and other members of the Chicago theater community. Intern may participate in a variety of projects, including drafting a budget, evaluating marketing and donor-relation strategies, deepening Court Theatre’s relationship with the University and the surrounding community, and facilitating Trustee engagement events. Demonstrable experience in group leadership and decision-making required. This position is open to second, third, and fourth year University of Chicago students.

Marketing & Communications: The Marketing & Communications Intern will work in all areas of sales and promotions including audience development, subscription and single ticket sales campaigns, press, publications and group sales. This internship requires strong written and verbal communications skills, as well as organizational skills. Interns may also assist with research projects, direct mail and special events. This internship is open to all University of Chicago students.

Website and Online Marketing: The Web Intern will assist Court Theatre’s Associate Director of Marketing and Communications with marketing Court Theatre events through online promotional opportunities and updating the theatre’s new website at CourtTheatre.org.  The primary focus will be populating Production History information from Court’s print archive of programs by entering data into a web-based content management system database.  In addition, some research and organization of material housed at Regenstein Library in Court Theatre’s special collection archive will be required.  This position requires excellent data entry, attention to detail, research skills, and the ability to work independently. 

Casting: The Casting Intern responsibilities may include contacting actors, preparing sides, maintaining participant database, and running or reading for auditions. Candidates should be self-motivated, with excellent communication skills.

Special Events: The Special Events Intern will help coordinate Court Theatre’s annual Gala in April 2012. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, maintaining event contacts, guest lists and various databases, acquiring and tracking auction items, developing written auction materials, managing the online auction, recruiting volunteers, organizing historical and current information and pre- and post-event correspondence with donors. This position requires strong communication, organizational and computing skills. Candidates should be enthusiastic and ready to work in a fast-paced environment.

Grant Writing: The Grant Writing Intern will assist the Assistant Director of Development for Institutional Relations in all aspects of the grant writing process. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, researching current and prospective foundation, corporation, and government grant-making organizations; writing and revising grant proposals and interim/final reports; and utilizing various databases to gather and store information. This position requires excellent written communication skills and an ability to craft compelling arguments for support. Candidates should be interested in learning about institutional fundraising and nonprofit arts management.

Special Events: The Special Events Intern will help coordinate Court Theatre’s annual Gala in April 2011. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, maintaining event contacts, guest lists and various databases, acquiring and tracking auction items, developing written auction materials, managing the online auction, recruiting volunteers, organizing historical and current information and pre- and post-event correspondence with donors. This position requires strong communication, organizational and computing skills. Candidates should be enthusiastic and ready to work in a fast-paced environment. This position is open to all University of Chicago students.

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