The Manhatanville College Musical Theatre program recently unveiled its new internship program for students of all academic backgrounds. This move aligns itself not only with the college’s new requirement for all students to complete experiential learning credits, but also to adapt to an ever-changing industry. Beginning this fall, the pilot program will welcome four student interns to gain professional experience in social media, community outreach, and dramaturgy.
Two interns have been hired for the role of Musical Theatre Social Media Intern. They will work closely with the musical theatre faculty, students, and other musical theatre-based interns to create and regularly post content for the musical theatre Instagram, as well as assume responsibility for some bulletin boards in the Music Building and the distribution of marketing materials on campus. One Musical Theatre Community Outreach Intern will work with creative teams of productions, musical faculty, and other musical theatre-based interns to find and organize ways to engage the college community as well as the greater Westchester County area in conversation in and around the themes of our productions. This intern will be responsible for forming partnerships with on and off campus organizations, gathering and disseminating information, and organizing talk backs, panel discussions, and other events based around performances.
The fourth intern has been hired for a Musical Theatre Research Assistant/Dramaturg/Literary Intern position. While dramaturgy is an often-unknown role to audiences, it is a crucial component of the theatrical development process. This position will work with creative teams of productions, faculty, and other musical theatre-based interns to provide the cast and crew with vital knowledge, research, and interpretation about the theatrical work in question. This position will also provide information for the production’s advertising and outreach materials, such as lobby displays, program notes, and educational outreach packets.
These internships provide valuable opportunities for aspiring professionals to gain practical experience in the musical theatre industry beyond the stage. Program Director Beth Burrier is excited to offer students opportunities to learn in all facets of the industry, especially since “these skills are becoming more and more important to success in the industry. It’s becoming rare for an actor to be just an actor. Everyone has a side gig or a special skill that complements their performing abilities.”
For her, it’s increasingly important for aspiring performers to have the skills to be prepared for a broad variety of opportunities, or to possibly become a multi-hyphenate in the industry. “Broadway shows are now having their performers also act as TikTok contributors and managers. For years, it’s been the norm to have actors also be producers, writers, and directors. Our students can already be experienced in all of these off-stage disciplines by the time they graduate, which isn’t common for a BFA program.”
While the first class of interns have all been selected from within the musical theatre program, these positions are open to students of all academic disciplines looking to gain experience in marketing and theatrical development. Burrier is particularly excited to build more interdepartmental collaboration across campus, especially with the communications and marketing programs, and to support more students in their pursuit of double majors and minors outside of the musical theatre program. To learn more about musical theatre at Manhattanville, visit https://www.mville.edu/programs/musical-theatre.php.
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