Fall 2026 Internship Program
High Tide Theatrical is accepting applications for its Fall 2026 Internship Program.
This program offers college students and early-career community members the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience within a growing nonprofit theatre organization. Interns will contribute to real projects, work alongside High Tide’s staff and artists, and learn how mission-driven theatre is planned, produced, promoted, funded, and supported.
High Tide’s mission is to offer accessible theatrical productions that cultivate a spirit of progressive thinking, empathy, and unity. We are looking for interns who are excited to support that mission while developing practical skills and professional experience.
Selected applicants will be assigned to one primary internship track based on their interests, experience, availability, and High Tide’s current organizational needs.
INTERNSHIP TERM
August 24–December 14, 2026
Interns should expect to contribute approximately 5–8 hours per week.
Most tracks will operate in a remote or hybrid format, with onsite participation scheduled around productions, events, meetings, and assigned projects. The Technical Internship/Apprenticeship will require significantly more onsite participation and offer limited remote work.
All interns are responsible for arranging their own transportation to required onsite activities.
Available Internship Tracks
Applicants may indicate interest in any tracks that genuinely appeal to them. Applicants are not required to rank or select every track.
Production Administration & Archives
Support the organizational systems behind High Tide’s productions. Projects may include production calendars, meeting notes, contact sheets, playbill information, checklists, production files, post-production documentation, digital archives, SharePoint organization, and institutional history.
This track is best suited for someone who is organized, detail-oriented, comfortable working with documents and spreadsheets, and able to handle internal information responsibly.
Marketing, Content & Analytics
Support the promotion of High Tide’s productions, events, and mission. Projects may include drafting social media captions and email copy, developing content calendars, selecting photo and video content, creating graphics from existing templates, drafting website excerpts, supporting promotional campaigns, and tracking engagement data.
This track is best suited for a strong writer with an understanding of social media, an eye for visual content, and the ability to receive and apply feedback.
Development, Events & Donor Relations
Support High Tide’s fundraising, sponsorship, and donor-stewardship work. Projects may include sponsor prospect research, donor stewardship materials, playbill advertisement tracking, event planning, task management, thank-you language, grant or sponsorship research, and organization of sponsor materials.
This track is best suited for someone professional, organized, discreet, and interested in nonprofit fundraising or relationship-based development.
Community Engagement, Accessibility & Volunteer Support
Support High Tide’s efforts to build meaningful community relationships and make theatre more accessible. Projects may include community-partner research, College Night support, accessibility-resource research, sensory-guide development, volunteer organization, audience-experience materials, Waves of Change initiatives, and lobby-partner resources.
This track is best suited for someone who is mission-driven, people-oriented, and passionate about accessibility, inclusion, community partnerships, or volunteer engagement.
Finance & Accounting
Support the organization and documentation of High Tide’s nonprofit financial activity. Projects may include organizing receipts and expense documentation, assisting with sales and payment-processing reports, tracking fees, supporting routine financial reporting, reviewing financial records for completeness, and helping maintain organized digital files.
This track is best suited for someone studying or interested in accounting, finance, business administration, nonprofit management, or financial systems.
Interns will not have banking authority, approve expenses, sign checks, or independently make financial decisions.
Technical Internship/Apprenticeship
Work directly with High Tide’s Technical Director to gain practical experience in theatrical production and technical operations. The exact focus will be customized based on the selected applicant’s interests, existing skills, and High Tide’s production needs.
Projects may include:
Sound and lighting equipment setup
Technical rehearsals and performance support
Equipment maintenance and organization
Technical documentation
Production planning
Sound, lighting, or booth operations
Troubleshooting
Technical crew support
Shadowing the Technical Director
Assisting with installation, strike, and production transitions
This track requires the greatest amount of onsite participation and offers minimal remote work. Evening and weekend availability will be especially important.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a current college student or early-career community member
Have an interest in nonprofit theatre, arts administration, production, marketing, development, community engagement, accessibility, finance, or technical theatre
Be able to meet the weekly time commitment
Be available for required meetings, performances, and events
Communicate professionally and complete assignments reliably
Previous professional theatre experience is not required. We are interested in applicants who are curious, dependable, mission-aligned, and ready to learn.
Required Attendance
Interns must attend:
Monthly staff meetings on the first Tuesday of each month
Ride the Cyclone College Night on September 11
The Rocky Horror Show College Night on October 23
Interns may also be asked to attend additional production, board, development, staff, or project meetings based on their assigned track. Advance notice will be provided whenever possible.
Evening and weekend availability may be required for performances, rehearsals, events, and special projects.
What Interns Receive
This is an unpaid volunteer internship. Academic credit may be available, but applicants are responsible for coordinating credit requirements with their school. High Tide can provide reasonable supervision, documentation, and signatures when needed.
Interns will receive:
Hands-on nonprofit theatre experience
Meaningful projects connected to current organizational needs
Supervision and professional mentorship
Opportunities to develop portfolio or résumé materials
Exposure to multiple areas of nonprofit arts administration
Networking opportunities with theatre artists, staff, board members, and community partners
Potential professional references or recommendations following successful completion
Two complimentary tickets to each eligible mainstage production presented during the internship term
Complimentary tickets do not apply to concerts, fundraisers, special events, benefit performances, or Next to Normal.
Supervision and Accountability
Olivia Kucsik, Executive Assistant for Community Engagement and Sustainability, will serve as the primary internship supervisor.
Interns will submit a brief weekly report outlining:
Work completed
Current projects
Upcoming priorities
Questions or support needed
Approximate hours completed
Additional check-ins may be scheduled depending on the intern, assigned track, and current projects.
The Technical Intern/Apprentice will work directly with Technical Director Ethan Hoover while remaining part of the overall internship program.
Application Requirements
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
- Contact information
- Résumé
- Internship-track selections
- Weekly availability
- Evening and weekend availability
- School-credit information, when applicable
- Short answers about their interests, goals, and experience
- Optional portfolio or work samples
- Contact information for up to two references
References are requested but are not required for consideration.
Fall 2026 Timeline
Applications Open: Monday, August 3
Priority Application Deadline: Sunday, August 17 at 11:59 PM
Application Review: August 18–19
Phone Screenings: August 20–21
Final Interviews: August 22–23
Offers Extended: Monday, August 24
Onboarding and Paperwork: August 24–29
Internship Term: August 24–December 14
Applications received after August 17 may be considered if positions remain available.
Apply
Complete the Fall 2026 Internship Application below.
Questions may be directed to:
Olivia Kucsik
Executive Assistant for Community Engagement and Sustainability
[email protected]
