Are you a college student, recent graduate, or career changer seeking meaningful, real-world experience in arts administration? Join The Actors Theatre Workshop’s Non-Profit Theatre Internship in NYC — a unique training opportunity where you’ll gain leadership experience, contribute to transformative community projects, and develop professional skills for a future in non-profit arts management.
Why Choose Our Non-Profit Internship in Theatre Arts?
Our Business Management Internship Program is designed for college students, recent grads, and career transitioners who are passionate about the performing arts and community service. As a non-profit theatre internship in New York City, our program offers:
- Hands-on experience in theatre operations and nonprofit management
- Creative and professional development guided by award-winning leadership
- Opportunities to work in key focus areas like:
- Marketing & Social Media
- Video Production & Content Creation
- Literary Development
- Information Technology
- A meaningful connection to New York’s vibrant theatre and cultural community.
You’ll not only learn the ins and outs of nonprofit arts administration, you’ll also be given real responsibilities that allow you to grow far beyond typical internship roles.
Training and Onboarding
The program starts with a 1–2 week intensive training, where interns explore:
- ATW’s core mission and operations
- Essays and teachings of ATW’s Artistic Director and Founder Thurman E. Scott
- Documentaries of ATW’s award-winning theatre programs
This foundation helps interns understand the creative philosophy and real-world impact of ATW’s community service initiatives.
Meaningful Work – Real Contribution
As an ATW intern, you will:
- Participate in planning meetings and creative discussions
- Support live theatre productions and outreach events
- Manage communications, schedules, and administrative tasks
- Collaborate with experienced professionals and peers from around the world
Interns are encouraged to take initiative, try new things, and grow into leadership roles that match their strengths and goals.
Grow Your Career – and Yourself
Our NYC nonprofit theatre internship helps you develop the confidence, creative insight, and self-awareness you need to pursue your chosen path. Whether you aim for a career in arts management, theatre production, or nonprofit leadership, this internship provides the tools, mentorship, and space to thrive.
Non-Profit Theatre Internship in NYC – Program Details
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Location: New York City (remote and in-person opportunities may be available)
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Schedule: Year-round openings
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Compensation: Unpaid
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Eligibility: College juniors/seniors, recent graduates, and career changers
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International applicants welcome
United States
Program Eligibility and Requirements:
- College undergraduate (18 years of age or older), recent graduate with a career interest in non-profit arts management, or individual considering a career change into the non-profit arena.
- U.S. Student Internships are for a minimum of 4 months (20 to 40 hours weekly).
- All full-time intern applicants are expected to work a flexible schedule that will include Saturdays. Interns work five days per week with two days off. The two days off may vary from week to week based on ATW’s weekly schedule.
- All full-time intern applicants are expected to intern 40+ hours per week including days, evenings or a combination of both. As an active theatre, ATW’s hours of operation are from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and sometimes later in order to accommodate productions and events.
Our internship program is designed to facilitate students receiving course credit for participation in the program.
Only fully completed applications will be considered.
International
Program Eligibility and Requirements:
- College undergraduate, recent graduate with a career interest in non-profit arts management, or individual considering a career change into the non-profit arena.
- International Student Internships are full time for 4-18 months.
- ATW does not sponsor interns for visas. International intern applicants are required to independently obtain a visa that allows them to live legally in the United States for the entirety of their internship.
- All full-time intern applicants are expected to intern 40+ hours per week with two days off. The two days off may vary week to week based on ATW’s weekly schedule. As an active theatre, ATW’s hours of operation are from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and sometimes later in order to accommodate productions and events.
Our internship program is designed to facilitate students receiving course credit for participation in the program.
Only fully completed applications will be considered.
Marketing and Social Media
Support and optimize our marketing content and social media strategy to increase followership and improve engagement. Candidates should be self-motivated, able to work in a fast-paced environment, and have experience with communication and writing, image creation in Canva and Photoshop, and social media analytics and research.
Projects will include:
- Managing the digital content calendar and social media analytics
- Creating and distributing content (campaigns, event descriptions, newsletters, blogs, infographics, videos, and press releases) on social media and traditional news outlets
- Analyzing social media engagement to identify high-performing ideas and campaigns for scalability
Information Technology
Join our team of idealists to keep ATW Office systems, WordPress website, PC workstations, network, rental equipment, video and photo equipment up-to-date. We seek individuals with website, networking, PC maintenance, Office systems administration, A/V equipment set-up and/or Media management skills.
Projects will include:
- Setting-up and networking PCs and printers, keeping them free of viruses, installing programs needed for staff
- Managing data and video footage on ATW’s video storage systems
- Supporting our video editors, setting-up new pages and forms on our website, training staff in using A/V or office IT equipment
- Other special IT projects that will make the organization run more efficiently.
Video Production & Content Creation
Video production and content creation is critical to the growth, development, and success of ATW. We’re looking for idealists, leaders, and storytellers who can put their thoughts and insights into action by utilizing their skills in video production, Adobe editing programs, and graphic design.
Projects will include:
- Logging video assets, compile and transcribe footage
- Editing compelling stories of ATW programs in Adobe Premiere
- Assisting teammates in daily workflow, writing scripts and copy, managing social channels, and organizing photos
- Shooting video and photos in-studio and during events
Literary
We’re seeking intern candidates for this focus area who possess skills in theatre, literature, scriptwriting, proofreading, contract management, and production. Candidates who have exceptional command of the English language and are passionate about theatre and the creative process are welcome to apply. Reviewing and recommending scripts to the Artistic Director and General Managers is critical to the success of ATW’s Play Reading Series and upholding the legacy that theatre and creativity can change lives, raise our consciousness, and make the world a better place for everyone.
Projects will include:
- Reading scripts that are submitted for our Play Reading Series and writing summaries
- Ensuring that submissions meet ATW’s artistic and quality criteria
- Recommending plays to the Artistic Director and General Management
- Interviewing prospective playwrights and/or production companies
- Managing the group’s play at ATW’s facility
