Stage Management Intern - Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Seasonal | Full-Time | July 27, 2026 through May 9, 2027 | $15.00/hr | Open Until Filled
Orlando Shakespeare Theater is seeking a Stage Management Intern to join our production team for the upcoming season at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center. This is a full-time, 10-month position offering an early-career stage manager the opportunity to train and work alongside Equity stage managers in a demanding, professional regional theater environment.
About Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Now in our 38th season, Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) is one of the Southeast's leading professional theaters, located in the heart of Orlando at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center. With an annual operating budget of $6,000,000, Orlando Shakes produces a 10-show season spanning classic Shakespeare, contemporary plays, new American works, and our beloved annual production of A Christmas Carol. We employ professionals from across the country, including members of Actors' Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Our four performance spaces +mdash; the Margeson Theater (324 seats), Goldman Theater (118 seats), Santos-Dantin Theater (65 seats), and Mandell Theater (100 seats) +mdash; host a full year-round season alongside robust educational programming that serves Central Florida schools and the broader community. Orlando Shakes operates in partnership with the University of Central Florida (UCF).
About the Intern Training Program
Orlando Shakes is excited to relaunch its Intern Training Program, offering early-career theater artists the opportunity to earn professional credits and hands-on training to help bridge the gap between university theater and the professional world. Our program is designed for emerging artists - typically those who have recently completed an undergraduate degree - who are ready to take the next step toward a professional career in theater.
Program participants work alongside our resident production staff, guest designers, and directors, gaining real-world experience, industry contacts, career mentorship, and a deeper respect for all aspects of professional theater production. If you want to work and train at one of the nation's best Shakespeare theaters, this is the internship for you.
Position Description
The Stage Management Intern works alongside our Equity Stage Managers as an active member of the stage management team throughout the season. The intern assists in all aspects of pre-production, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and performances +mdash; gaining direct, real-world experience in every phase of the production process. The intern may serve as a Production Assistant in the rehearsal room, work backstage as a deck crew member, or operate a show from the tech table as assigned, building a versatile professional foundation across the full spectrum of stage management practice.
Responsibilities Include:
- Assist with pre-production tasks including the creation and distribution of paperwork, contact sheets, rehearsal schedules, and production calendars
- Set up and strike rehearsal rooms, including marking floors, arranging furniture, and maintaining a well-organized rehearsal environment
- Assist with the daily running of rehearsals, including tracking blocking notes, distributing sides, and maintaining rehearsal reports
- Maintain and distribute stage management paperwork throughout the rehearsal and production process
- Manage rehearsal props and track all prop assignments in coordination with the props department
- Attend and assist at all production meetings, design meetings, and department calls as required
- Participate in all technical rehearsals, functioning as a production assistant, deck crew, or operator as assigned
- Work backstage as a running crew member or in the booth as a show operator for performances, as assigned
- Assist with the production+rsquo;s prompt book, calling scripts, and show documentation
- Assist in maintaining AEA compliance documentation and scheduling records under the supervision of the Equity Stage Manager
- Assist in all load-ins and strikes across the season
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Production Stage Manager or other management designee
Requirements:
- Recent undergraduate degree in Theater, Stage Management, or a related field, or equivalent training/experience
- Genuine interest in pursuing a professional career in stage management
- Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
- Clear and professional communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to remain calm, focused, and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced rehearsal and production environment
- Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar) and basic word processing
- Collaborative, discreet, and dependable; able to maintain confidentiality in a professional environment
- Ability to safely lift 50 pounds and work on your feet for extended periods
- Night and weekend availability required; must be available for the entire season
- Must have reliable personal transportation; housing is not provided
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience as a stage manager or production assistant in a university or community theater production
- Familiarity with Actors+rsquo; Equity Association rules and the AEA stage management track
- Experience creating stage management paperwork including contact sheets, rehearsal schedules, blocking notation, and run sheets
- Experience with QLab, theatrical communications systems (Clear-Com), or show calling
- Fluency in a second language is a plus
Program Details
- Full-time, 10-month seasonal positions (July 27, 2026 through May 9, 2027)
- $15.00 per hour
- Night and weekend availability is required
- Housing is NOT provided; you must have your own transportation to and from work
- You must be available for the entire season in order to be considered
- Summer positions are not currently offered
Our Commitment to Diversity
Orlando Shakespeare Theater is committed to diverse and inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, ages, and perspectives. We particularly welcome Orlando and Florida-based candidates as part of our commitment to supporting our local artistic community.
How to Apply
Send a current resume, cover letter, and references (with email contact) as a single PDF to jobs@orlandoshakes.org. Please include "Your Name" and "Stage Management Intern" in the subject line.
No Phone Calls Please.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater is an equal opportunity employer.
