Early Career Professional Training

Michael Chernus and David Hyde Pierce in
Close Up Space (2011)
Photo by Joan Marcus

The Paul A. Kaplan Theatre Management Program provides a unique opportunity to learn about producing not-for-profit theatre both on and off-Broadway through intensive on-the-job training.

Program participants are assigned projects and responsibilities that contribute to the day-to-day running of the company. Additionally, support from supervisors and mentors ensure that participants are not only gaining valuable skills, but also receiving continuous advice and feedback.

The experience is further enhanced by an educational seminar series led by the industry experts on MTC’s staff as well as career development coaching with our human resources team. Program alumni go on to work in the industry at theatre companies producing on Broadway, off Broadway, and regionally; in casting offices, production companies, and theatrical advertising agencies; and, in allied arts and cultural organizations across the country.

Information about any internship or traineeship offerings after May 2025 will be posted to this webpage in mid-January 2025.

The Experience

Early Career Professional Training Track

“The traineeship offered me a very in-depth mentorship experience with the department I’m interested in. I was very involved in creative projects here in MTC as well as introduced to a series of hard and soft skills that are required/expected for a job in [theatre] administration.”
– 2022-23 Early Career Professional Training Program Participant

“The seminars gave me a clear understanding of the company and helped me make an informed decision on what I want to pursue as my career path after the program.”
– 2022-23 Early Career Professional Training Program Participant

Program participants will:

  • Take on projects and responsibilities that contribute to the day-to-day running of the company
  • Build relationships with their supervisor and staff members across the organization, ensuring that they are not only gaining valuable skills but also receiving continuous support and feedback
  • Work with a mentor throughout the season, who will offer them professional development and career guidance.
  • Participate in a series of educational workshops and seminars led by the industry experts on MTC’s staff, as well as career development coaching with our human resources team
  • Contribute to the success of MTC’s special events including opening night parties
  • Network with emerging professionals in the industry
  • Have access to MTC’s affinity spaces
  • Receive complimentary tickets to productions at MTC and at other arts organizations

These are full-time, non-exempt positions paid at $577.50 per week (35 hours per week at $16.50 per hour). The 2024-25 program will begin on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 and end on or around May 23, 2025.

Trainees are eligible for a benefits package which includes: choice between two group health plans with options for spousal, family, and/or domestic partner coverage; basic life and long term disability insurance; paid time off (sick and personal), voluntary dental, vision, and flex savings plans for healthcare, dependent care, and commuting expenses.

All Early Career Professional Training positions are full-time and in-person, 35 hours per week. MTC’s office hours are Monday through Friday from 10am-6pm. Currently, our office is remote-optional dependent upon work priorities on Fridays. There will be some evening or weekend commitments during the season. The standard schedule for most Trainees will be Monday-Thursday from 10am-6pm (with 30-minute unpaid lunch break) and Friday from 10am-3:30pm (with 30-minute unpaid lunch). 

Trainee Positions Offered

Business and Analytics

The Business Office is responsible for MTC’s fiduciary duties with the receipt and monitoring of funds, financial reporting, budgeting & forecasting. We work closely with each department and are the core of MTC’s operations.

MTC Marketing is a fast-paced, exciting work environment.  We work with every department at Manhattan Theatre Club, along with our press, advertising and web design agencies; various actors; directors; playwrights; managers; and agents. We oversee subscription and single ticket sales, track and project ticket income, and monitor the advertising budget.

The Business/Analytics trainee will serve as a member of the Business and Marketing teams and gain a broad overview of the entire organization. The trainee will learn day-to-day business operations and assist with audit prep & year-end needs. You will learn how to prepare weekly Box Office statements by analyzing and populating data. The trainee will become familiar with sales-based analytical tools, reports, and strategies, including daily wraps, sales projections, and market comparisons. You will gain CRM skills using Tessitura & STAR and assist with monitoring the advertising budget.

We are seeking highly organized individuals with a working knowledge of Excel, excellent communication skills, and who are detail-oriented. This trainee position is also a great opportunity for a self-starter that can work independently. Individuals with a background in ticketing or an interest in business/data analytics are encouraged to apply.

Previous Business and Analytics interns have gone on to work for The Broadway League, The Nederlander Organization, The Public Theater, Ars Nova, and New York Theatre Workshop.

Company Management

MTC’s General Management department is responsible for managing six shows per season at the Friedman Theatre and NY City Center Stage I from the day MTC confirms each play to the closing night of every show. The Company Management team within this department is responsible for making all our actors, directors, designers, crew members, and audiences feel welcome at the theatre every night and making sure each show is successful, both onstage and off.

The Company Management Trainee gains insight into the details of theatrical management on and off-Broadway by assisting the company managers with the drafting and execution of actor contracts, coordination of show/actor-related travel needs (transportation, housing, etc.), completing union reports, and the planning of special events for our productions, including first previews and Opening Nights. The trainee also works closely with our box office staffs, handling house seat orders for all shows and arranging all Tony Voter tickets for productions at the Friedman. They may gain experience assisting company managers at the theatre, for which occasional evening hours would be required.

We look for candidates who strive to strengthen their communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask. Applicants must feel comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for theatre and arts management.

Previous Company Management interns or trainees have gone on to be Assistant Company Managers on and off-Broadway and to positions in the management departments of such companies as Second Stage, KGM Theatrical, Fifth Estate Entertainment, and Circle in the Square Theatre. Former program participants also have come back to work at MTC.

Education and Community Engagement

MTC Education prepares students to see our plays and inspire them to write their own; as a result, minds awaken, imaginations ignite, hearts open, and lives change. We work with over 2,000 young people a year in high schools and juvenile detention facilities throughout New York City, in northern New Jersey, and across the country. We promote creative collaboration and thoughtful dialogue in our classrooms and introduce young people to theatre’s miraculous power to transform an audience of diverse individuals into one harmonious whole.

The Education Trainee is a key member of a small team dedicated to turning our values and vision into practice. You’ll gain further project management experience as you coordinate the day-to-day operations of TheatreLink, our distance learning theatre-making project connecting high school students across the country, in Europe, in Asia, and in South Africa. You’ll hone your customer service and event management skills through the implementation of programs such as the Family Matinee, Teacher Workshops, and career development offerings. You’ll have access to an expert faculty of teaching artists with experience working in a diverse array of environments; observation opportunities that can be customized based upon your unique interests will be encouraged. You’ll have the opportunity to form and cultivate relationships through our community engagement work with individuals employed at other not-for-profit organizations as well as our expanding community partners. You’ll complete research projects on a variety of topics, including background information on our plays, trends in the arts-education field, and expansion of our programs and partnerships within NYC’s many communities. By the end of the traineeship, you’ll have learned the ins and outs of how an education program at a large arts non-profit organization is managed and you’ll be equipped with a skill set that can lead to a variety of careers in the arts.

We are seeking naturally curious individuals who find joy in coordinating and managing complex, constantly shifting details. Successful candidates are highly organized, attentive, and proactive early career administrators. They believe in the positive impact educational experiences centered on productions of exciting new plays can have on young people. The Education Trainee communicates regularly with people from many different backgrounds, so individuals with customer service experience and/or multi-lingual skills should definitely consider this traineeship.

Literary

The Literary Traineeship at MTC offers aspiring literary professionals a robust introduction to the day-to-day operations and planning of a not-for-profit literary office.

The MTC Literary Department reads and evaluates a large volume of scripts each year to consider them for production or development at MTC. With the Artistic Department, we curate a diverse and wide-ranging season of work for MTC’s stages. The Literary Department also puts together our annual spring Ted Snowdon Reading Series, a free, public reading series of new plays in progress; and commissions new plays from many writers each year.

As an MTC Literary Trainee, you will participate in the daily operations of a high speed literary office; read and evaluate scripts; compile daily digests of theatre news and reviews; maintain MTC’s play submissions database; attend weekly department meetings; update tracking calendars of productions happening elsewhere; assist with and attend MTC play readings; cover readings elsewhere on behalf of MTC; share thoughts on MTC readings and productions; and interact with artists and with MTC staff across departments. The Literary Trainee will hone their ability to read and analyze plays through a dramaturgical and producing lens, sharpen their oral and written communication skills, broaden their knowledge of the theater industry and new play landscape within and beyond New York, and obtain insight into how a major theater company programs a season and forges artistic relationships.

We are seeking highly organized, motivated, passionate theatre lovers with a keen interest in theatre administration and new play development, and with strong analytical, writing, and communication skills. Knowledge of Windows, MS Office Suite, and AirTable is strongly recommended.

Previous Literary trainees and interns have gone on to work at other non-profit organizations and agencies, such as Playwrights Horizons, La MaMa, Samuel French, WME, Bret Adams Ltd, and The Gersh Agency, and to complete graduate studies in playwriting and dramaturgy.

Marketing

MTC Marketing is a fast-paced, exciting work environment.  We work with every department at Manhattan Theatre Club, along with our press team (The Press Room), our advertising agency (Serino Coyne), our web design agency (AKA) and various actors, directors, playwrights, managers and agents.  Marketing trainees are a key part of opening nights, helping to facilitate press lines and aiding Marketing senior staff.

 

The Marketing Trainee is a key member of our small team, and will get a broad overview of marketing for Broadway and Off-Broadway. This is a varied position requiring excellent organization, communication and design skills. Primary responsibilities include managing departmental approvals for select marketing materials; creating email blasts; website and social media admin; capturing photography and video for social channels; resizing artwork/photography; designing promotional graphics; and performing a variety of administrative tasks. Additional responsibilities include creating bespoke office signage; staffing opening nights, press events and other events; pulling CRM lists; and helping maintain MTC’s 30 Under 35 program. By the end of the trainee experience, you will have developed project management skills that would make you an asset to any arts marketing department, with real-world experience in marketing material approval processes, digital admin, basic visual design, and navigating the ins and outs of a busy office environment.

 

We seek passionate, creative, versatile individuals with a can-do attitude. Excellent communication skills are necessary, including copywriting. Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite programs, including Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, is preferred but not required.

 

Previous Marketing trainees and interns have gone on to work in marketing offices at arts nonprofits including Second Stage, The Public and Lincoln Center Theater.

Production Management

The Production Department is responsible for the planning, budgeting, scheduling, staffing, and execution of all MTC productions from initial concept through strike. Additionally, the Production office manages the technical execution of MTC Special Events, readings, and workshops. The Production Department is also responsible for working with the Facilities Manager to maintain the spaces both at MTC’s administrative offices and two theater venues, which includes daily and weekly operating tasks, capital improvement projects, and repairs and improvements.

The Production Management Trainee plays an active role in supporting the Production Management team, production staff, and the overall needs of MTC. This position is primarily located at our administrative office, with daily and weekly tasks as well as long-term projects. The trainee is heavily involved in creating and maintaining schedules and spreadsheets, as well as processing production-related invoices and payroll, assisting the department with the everyday needs of running a production, and coordinating the needs of designers. They also play a key supportive role within the MTC office, offering support for admin staff needs and requests from studio renters; this often pertains to office operation or hospitality.

The Production Management Trainee will leave MTC with a solid understanding of the intricacies of technical production, a foundational knowledge of theatrical unions, and an overview of the various technical and production aspects involved in putting together a show in New York City.

Excellent organizational skills, critical thinking skills, and comprehension are a must in this fast-paced office. Applicants should be detail-oriented, curious, self-motivated, able to work independently, and bring a positive attitude to their daily work. A working knowledge of MS Office Suite (including Outlook) and Google Suite is necessary. Individuals with a background in technical theatre or stage management should definitely consider this position.

Production Management Trainees have moved on to stage management and assistant production management positions at other major NYC theatrical companies or in the event production industry.

Special Events

As the Special Events Trainee, you will gain valuable, real-world experience while reporting to the Special Events Assistant and Special Events Manager. By working closely and in depth “behind the scenes” for each event, the trainee will become an integral member of the special events team and learn how a season of fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events come together.

In conjunction with the Special Events Manager and the Special Events Assistant this position is responsible for coordinating all aspects of Manhattan Theatre Club’s special events which include but are not limited to Opening Night Performances & Parties, Patron Dinners, ADC Cocktail Receptions, Fall Benefit and Spring Gala Fundraising events.

The Special Events Trainee will assist the team by processing RSVPs, completing event confirmation calls, prepping and organizing all event materials in addition to general administrative tasks, and other duties as assigned.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, open-minded and detail-oriented team-player. This traineeship requires excellent customer service skills, an ability to problem solve, along with strong attention to detail and positive attitude. Interest in fundraising, events, marketing, and theatre are a HUGE plus!

Please note that the Special Events position is only offered in the Early Career Professional Training track.

How to Apply

Prepare Your Application

The application deadline for the 2024-25 Early Career Professional Training track is Monday, May 27 at 11:59pm EDT. All components of the application must be received by this deadline in order for it to be considered complete.

You will need to:

-Select the one or two departments to which you are applying.
-Share general interview availability for weekdays between June 17-July 18.
-Respond to four personal statement questions directly into the application form (no more than 225 words per response):
—–What specifically about MTC’s mission, history, or place in the theatre landscape drives you to apply for this program and why?
—–How have your educational and/or work experiences led you to be interested in the department(s) you selected?
—–What specific knowledge and/or skills do you hope to develop further as a result of on-the-job training in the department(s) you selected? How might this professional development experience benefit your career?
—–How do your personal values and life experiences energize your aspirations as an arts administrator?
-Submit a PDF of your résumé.
-Share the names and contact information for two references. [Note: we will not contact references unless you move to the interview phase of the hiring process.]

Strengthen Your Application
  • Reflect upon your desire to apply for this program and understand on a deep level why you’d like to pursue on-the-job training at Manhattan Theatre Club.
  • Read the position description(s) carefully and tailor your personal statement responses and résumé to the description(s) based upon your relevant skills and experiences.
  • We want to get to know you and your authentic self through your personal statement responses. Please avoid using resources such as ChatGPT while completing this application.
  • Be sure to respond to all aspects of the personal statement questions.
  • You may wish to consult this resource from Harvard College as you construct your résumé.
  • These positions are administrative in nature. Please do not submit acting résumés and/or headshots.
  • We love that our applicants have projects and materials that go beyond the résumé and personal statement responses. In order to keep the process equitable, we ask that you share only what we have requested.
  • Proofread your application materials. You may wish to enlist a trusted copyediting friend or family member in this process.
Join an Open House (Optional)

We will host online open houses for potential applicants to learn more and ask questions about the 2024-25 Early Career Professional Training track. These events will take place via Zoom. They will not be recorded. Please click on the below date/time to register for the open house you’d like to attend. You may attend more than one open house.

Tuesday, May 7 from 5-6pm EDT
Saturday, May 11 from 1-2pm EDT
Thursday, May 16 from 6:30-7:30pm EDT
Wednesday, May 22 from 7-8pm EDT

Submit Your Application



Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for MTC internships?
  • We do not accept applications from high school students.
  • A college degree is not required.
  • We strongly encourage individuals with non-theatrical work experience in fields related to specific internships to apply. In your personal statement responses, be sure to connect your transferable skill set from your previous experience(s) to the position(s) for which you are applying.
How many departments can I apply to?

You may apply for up to two departments.

What is the difference between the Early Career Professional Training track and the Summer Internship track?

The Early Career Professional Training track is an intensive, hands-on experience in which participants will spend a total of nine months in a specific department. This track is geared toward participants who are looking to sharpen their existing administrative skills before taking on full-time employment.

The Summer Internship track is a hands-on experience that takes place from May – September. This track is suited for participants who are seeking an earlier introduction to arts administration in order to prepare for more intensive experiences such as our Early Career Professional Training track.

May I apply for both tracks?

As both tracks run at different times, you may apply for both. However, please read through each program description to ensure they are suited to you, your skills, and your availability. Ideally, a strong candidate will have completed an internship or equivalent professional experience before applying to the Early Career Professional Training program.

May I be hired for both the Early Career Professional Training track and the Summer Internship track?

You may complete the Summer Internship track and apply for the Early Career Professional Training track the following year or later.

You may not complete the Early Career Professional Training track and then apply for the Summer Internship track.

Does MTC hire part-time trainees or interns?

No, all trainee positions are set at 35 hours per week. 

What is the timeline for the application process?

We begin to schedule interviews a week or two after the deadline and as late as two months after the deadline. All applicants who submit a complete application by the deadline will be notified by MTC whether or not they are selected for an interview and/or internship position.

How do you hold interviews?

All interviews are conducted via Zoom.

How many applications does MTC receive?

Every year MTC receives approximately 600 complete applications for the summer internship and approximately 250 for the Early Career Professional Training Program. For each track, we interview between 50-70 candidates. It should be noted that each position is not necessarily available every semester.

Do you provide feedback on applications or interviews?

Due to the high volume of applications and candidates interviewed, we are unable to provide feedback on your materials or interview.

Does MTC hire international interns?

Yes, MTC does hire interns from outside the U.S. International applicants must secure an Exchange Visitor or Foreign Student visa to work at MTC; however, MTC is unable to sponsor visa applications. We can supply a letter of employment and/or description of training to a third-party organization that does sponsor the applicant. Inquire about visa application procedures with the U.S. Embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) is also a good organization to contact regarding student work/travel visas.

Does MTC provide housing?

MTC does not provide housing or housing assistance to trainees or interns. We encourage individuals to look at the various crowdsourcing social media groups that exist for locating housing in New York City.

Does MTC hire trainees or interns on a permanent basis following the program?

While nearly 20% of MTC’s permanent staff are alumni of the program, we do not make any commitments to hire our trainees or interns into permanent staff positions.

I’m interested in the summer internship, but I have to return to school in mid-August. Does that disqualify me?

Not necessarily. Please be transparent in your application materials about your availability (start and end dates) for the summer internship.

I still have questions…


About Paul A. Kaplan

Paul Alan Kaplan was a theatrical producer and lover of theater. His Oscar parties and film trivia knowledge were legendary. He amassed a wonderful collection of Al Hirschfeld cartoons and Playbills. Pursuing his interest in show business, Paul was an associate producer of As Is, a drama about the impact of AIDS by William M. Hoffman. The play opened at the Circle Repertory Company in 1985 and moved to Broadway’s Lyceum Theater. He was also the executive producer of the 1986 movie “Parting Glances.”  He was a long-term philanthropic supporter of and volunteer at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center. Paul graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1977, where he wrote a review of the first production of Steven Sondheim’s Company for the college newspaper. For the next nine years Paul worked for the Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Center Ltd., named for his father. Above all, Paul was generous, fun, life-affirming, gregarious, and had a contagious laugh. Paul died in 1991 at the age of 36.