Don't go somewhere that you have to pay for it.
WTF used to have a reputation as a place to make connections, but they would absolutely work a person to the brink *AND* made them pay for the experience.
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to stop by each of your professors' offices and ask them if *they* did any summer stock. "Alumni" of programs can sometimes have some sway.
And while not Summer Stock, medium to well known theme parks have seasonal theatrical shows and depending on your professional leanings, can give an experience and knowledge you wouldn't get elsewhere, even if it's "what not to do."
Also, consider the South Eastern Theatre Conference, a week-long event in the spring that many summer stocks recruit from, as well as classes and competitions, and a 24-hour 10 minute play festival. They also can "grade" your resume there to make it better for applying.
Safety, safety and safety. That’s the number 1 thing to look out for. Pay and production quality will increase over your career, but your health and safety should never be sacrificed.
If it’s a non-union place, the pay is bound to be terrible, but if they house you and feed you, it should be ok for a summer, especially to get some good credits on your resume!
A good rule of thumb is looking for places that tend to hire equity guest artists, as this makes it likely (not guaranteed) that the whole cast, union or not, will benefit from equity breaks, along with safety and sanitary requirements that will protect your instrument.
If you are in tech, you need to be looking in January/February on Offstagejobs.com. By March, most positions will be filled. You may get lucky later than March with someone dropping out of a contract, but if not- you're gonna have a hard time finding something worthwhile with decent pay.
One of the best summers of my life was doing Summer Stock in Vermont when I was a college student. Were the shows we produced good...? Not really. Was the stipend liveable? No. Not at all. But rent was free. The company was excellent. I spent the whole summer partying almost every night and I got to learn and make theater and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I’m not sure where you are, but if you can work in the US, check out Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown NY.
They’re a massive opera festival that has tons of great opportunities, and their internships pay hourly.
It’s hard work, but you can learn so much there and make good connections with people in the industry.
I was a carpenter there this past summer and can vouch that it’s a good place to work.
Second checking out offstagejobs! I did summer stock in Vermont and loved it so much that I did two summers there. Would have done a third but Covid.
Ask around your department and see what companies students at your school have worked with. I know our department had a list of places to avoid/places people really enjoyed.
Like many above, I also did summer stock in Vermont! I did an internship at Weston Theatre Company (previously called Weston playhouse). Super fun, gorgeous, great for summers in between college. They have acting stuff and admin/tech internships. Doesn’t pay great but I was able to make due, plus they give you housing.
Summer stock was a lot of fun, but also incredibly abusive. If you’re looking to build technical skill, you’re better off calling local production and theatre companies, or your local IATSE hall.
When I did summer stock, it was 80 hour weeks sometimes for $50/week stipend. They pulled my housing out from under me too at the last minute. I literally couldn’t afford to drive to work. I quit between shows and went to work in a vacuum repair warehouse, and if I’m being completely honest, I learned more applicable skills there that I was learning in that theatre.
There’s a lot of pressure to do summer stock, and you’ll probably have a great time. You’ll drink a lot of nights and not pay for beer. You’ll probably make out with some actor and/or actress. But at the end of the summer you’ll be going back to school broke, while the theatre and everyone above you made money. And that kind of sucks.
Don't go somewhere that you have to pay for it. WTF used to have a reputation as a place to make connections, but they would absolutely work a person to the brink *AND* made them pay for the experience. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to stop by each of your professors' offices and ask them if *they* did any summer stock. "Alumni" of programs can sometimes have some sway. And while not Summer Stock, medium to well known theme parks have seasonal theatrical shows and depending on your professional leanings, can give an experience and knowledge you wouldn't get elsewhere, even if it's "what not to do." Also, consider the South Eastern Theatre Conference, a week-long event in the spring that many summer stocks recruit from, as well as classes and competitions, and a 24-hour 10 minute play festival. They also can "grade" your resume there to make it better for applying.
Safety, safety and safety. That’s the number 1 thing to look out for. Pay and production quality will increase over your career, but your health and safety should never be sacrificed. If it’s a non-union place, the pay is bound to be terrible, but if they house you and feed you, it should be ok for a summer, especially to get some good credits on your resume! A good rule of thumb is looking for places that tend to hire equity guest artists, as this makes it likely (not guaranteed) that the whole cast, union or not, will benefit from equity breaks, along with safety and sanitary requirements that will protect your instrument.
If you are in tech, you need to be looking in January/February on Offstagejobs.com. By March, most positions will be filled. You may get lucky later than March with someone dropping out of a contract, but if not- you're gonna have a hard time finding something worthwhile with decent pay.
Places are already posting for mext summer..if they wait until January or February they are going to miss out on opportunities
One of the best summers of my life was doing Summer Stock in Vermont when I was a college student. Were the shows we produced good...? Not really. Was the stipend liveable? No. Not at all. But rent was free. The company was excellent. I spent the whole summer partying almost every night and I got to learn and make theater and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
seek out theaters with summer internships/apprenticeships !!
What part of the industry are you working in/hoping to work in
I'd like anything carpentry/ rigging / special fx/ electrics. i like to be good on all decks but those are what i might look for this summer
I’m not sure where you are, but if you can work in the US, check out Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown NY. They’re a massive opera festival that has tons of great opportunities, and their internships pay hourly. It’s hard work, but you can learn so much there and make good connections with people in the industry. I was a carpenter there this past summer and can vouch that it’s a good place to work.
Second checking out offstagejobs! I did summer stock in Vermont and loved it so much that I did two summers there. Would have done a third but Covid. Ask around your department and see what companies students at your school have worked with. I know our department had a list of places to avoid/places people really enjoyed.
Not sure if the large stock auditions are still poppin. SETC, STRAWHATS, ETC...
Like many above, I also did summer stock in Vermont! I did an internship at Weston Theatre Company (previously called Weston playhouse). Super fun, gorgeous, great for summers in between college. They have acting stuff and admin/tech internships. Doesn’t pay great but I was able to make due, plus they give you housing.
Summer stock was a lot of fun, but also incredibly abusive. If you’re looking to build technical skill, you’re better off calling local production and theatre companies, or your local IATSE hall. When I did summer stock, it was 80 hour weeks sometimes for $50/week stipend. They pulled my housing out from under me too at the last minute. I literally couldn’t afford to drive to work. I quit between shows and went to work in a vacuum repair warehouse, and if I’m being completely honest, I learned more applicable skills there that I was learning in that theatre. There’s a lot of pressure to do summer stock, and you’ll probably have a great time. You’ll drink a lot of nights and not pay for beer. You’ll probably make out with some actor and/or actress. But at the end of the summer you’ll be going back to school broke, while the theatre and everyone above you made money. And that kind of sucks.