Interns Learn, Work and Play in Professional Setting

heatre is one of the few professions where apprentices can still learn from those who practice their art. The internship program at Peninsula Players Theatre is part of a tradition, which runs as deep as the roots of the theatre itself. Since the Players launched its first season in 1935, interns, then called apprentices, have been given the chance to work side-by-side with professionals, learning the craft by observing and participating in it.

“The interns at Peninsula Players work with professional actors, managers, and technicians for 13 weeks in all aspects of theatre, making us unique among internship programs,” explains executive business manager Audra Baakari Boyle. The program’s diversity and atmosphere attracts interns yearly from across the country. Mixing work and responsibilities, interns are offered a chance to build up résumés, try different areas in theatre production, and make contacts with working actors, designers and managers.

Not only does each of the interns work in the box office and scene shop, but also rotate into areas which include production work such as lighting, properties, costumes, house management, stage management, concessions, and acting. “Working in theatre necessitates being well-rounded, and having experience in a professional setting helps one to communicate with one’s co-workers,” said Baakari Boyle. “Our internship program is a wonderful opportunity to find out if theatre is a career you would like to pursue.” Those participating in our intern program in recent years came from a variety of places including Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, California, Colorado and as close as Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Looking to learn in a professional setting, each intern brought his or her talents to the Players. Most used their internships to explore the atmosphere of professional theatre. The Ac-tors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, accredits the intern program. Interns can earn points to-ward membership in the union and/or college credit through their summer work at Peninsula Players.

From the Players production of The Be My Baby featuring Jeff Award Winners Carmen Roman and Greg Vinkler, three members of the Players professional acting company. The Jeff Awards are Chicago’s version of the Tonys. Carmen and Greg were awarded best actress and actor awards. Carmen won for her portrayal of an English professor afflicted with ovarian cancer in Wit. Greg received his Joseph Jefferson (“Jeff”) award for the title role in King Lear .Greg played Doc in the Tony award-winning Broadway revival of “West Side Story” and Carmen is Aunt Connie on ABCs Betrayal. Below is Jennifer Knox as Roxie in the musi-cal Chicago.

Peninsula Players Theater Internship Information for

America’s Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre

Peninsula Players accepts eight production

and two administrative interns each season.

About Internships at

Peninsula Players

he Peninsula Players, America’s oldest professional resident summer theatre, is now accepting applications for our 2014summer intern positions. We seek eight to 10 college/university students with production or management in-terests to become members of our company beginning in late May or early June. In addition, some staff positions will become available to summer interns in September for our 2014 Fall Season closing October 19. Production Interns will rotate on a show by show basis between technical and managerial areas, and a few will have the chance to rotate as the assistant stage manager and work with our professional Equity stage manager and actors in rehearsal. Production Interns will on a daily basis be involved with building and running our five-show season, each with a two to three week run. Areas of concentration include: stage carpentry, electrics, sound, wardrobe, properties and scene painting. Production Interns participate in all areas of production including pre-show assignments and show duties. Administrative Interns concentrate on all aspects of theatre operations including public relations, marketing, house management, box office management and assisting the Managing Director, Development and Events Coordinator and Business Manager. Up to five interns who are interested in acting or stage management may have the opportunity to assistant stage manage one of our shows. Any small roles that cannot be filled with non-union ac-tors may be cast from interested interns. However, please note no roles are guaranteed since we must first fulfill our obligations to Equity. Interns and staff work in the concession stand and beer garden, direct traffic in the parking lots and house manage pre-show. Intermission, show duties and post-show as-signments are also made. Credit for the Equity Membership Candidate Program may be gained through work at the Penin-sula Players. College credit may also be earned. The intern must make his/her arrangements with the college/university. Peninsula Players believes in providing a well-rounded experience for our interns, which is why we have created our workshop program. Five to seven workshops will be held during the summer with members of our professional company. For example, in past seasons Artistic Director Greg Vinkler held a workshop on performing Shakespeare while Carmen Roman worked with interns on their audition monologues. Both Greg and Carmen are award-winning professional actors. We have also hosted workshops on stage make-up, stage combat, improvisation, stage rigging, and preparing for a career in theatre.

Continued from page 1

Interns Learn, Work and Play in Professional Setting

Working in a resident company is a bonus for

interns who need to make contacts in the busi-

ness. With approximately 45 people living and

working together, the company becomes a sup-

portive network. “We offer a unique relation-

ship--working, living, and eating with theatre

professionals,” Baakari Boyle said. “Everyone

in our theatre company lives on property: ac-

tors, interns, directors, designers, technicians,

stage managers and administrators. Interns get

to know everyone involved in the creative pro-

cess because they’re not living a separate life.”

The interns work hard while at Peninsula Play-

ers, but as the assignments vary, the interns gain

the most diverse experience of the company.

This follows the founders’ goal for the intern

program wherein Peninsula Players provides a

professional working atmosphere for future the-

atre artists.

For more information about the internship program con-tact Audra Baakari Boyle at

920-868-3287

Continued on page 4

PENINSULA PLAYERS INTERN APPLICATION

Name: ___ (M F ) Age: Present Address to June 1: (e-mail) Tele # ( ) Permanent Address (if different from above): Tele # ( ) Current school Name: Year in school: Major: Expected date of graduation: Faculty Advisor: (phone#) Advisor’s e-mail: Dates of Spring Break

Please prioritize your interests in theatre at this time? (Please list 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th through all areas)

Scenic Stage Management_____ Publicity_____ Other ______________ Costume/Wardrobe______ Admin/Box Office______ Sound______ ___________________ Electrics Properties_______ Acting______ ___________________

These selections will help determine experiences of participants in the Peninsula Players Intern Program.

If accepted, please list your availability dates. Start date: Will you be able to stay through Labor Day?________ Until Mid-October?________What is the latest day you can stay?

Peninsula Players is a camp-like living and working environment with a work load requiring physical labor such as lifting or be-ing mobile on uneven terrain. Can you lift at least 40 pounds? We are located in a rural setting, is there any health issue we should be aware of?

Do you have dietary restrictions? If so, please explain:

Do you have a valid driver’s license? Yes No

Do you have a car available to you during your internship? Yes No

********************************************************************* ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Attach resume of relevant information: theatre classes, work on crews, acting assignments, roles played on stage, other

related experiences, etc. A cover letter with personal statement about what your expectations are and why you are applying for internship at Peninsu-

la Players.

Enclose a non-returnable recent photo of yourself. A snapshot is satisfactory.

Two references from people acquainted with your theatre, and/or management/business experience

If letters not included please provide their names, address, phone and e-mail below. 1. 2.

Please feel free to provide us with any additional information, which you feel, will help us in evaluating your application.

All of the above must be on file by April 1, 2014 for applicant to be considered. Send to:

Audra Baakari Boyle, Business Manager, Winter address (Nov.-April): PO BOX 1499, Superior WI 54880

Summer (May-Oct.): 4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek, WI 54212 For more information contact Audra at 920-868-3287

Indicate in cover letter if you are interested in the administrative or production internship.

Photos include: the all-weather pavilion, The Game’s Afoot, with Paul Slade Smith, Chicago featur-ing Monique Haley, Ericka Mac, Jennifer Knox, Travis Porita, Lucy Zukaitis, Angie Schoofs Stemberg , Gary Carlson, Callie Johnson and Will Skrip photo by Len Villano, The cast of Sunday in the Park with George ,and nestled in a cedar forest — Mother Nature is our lobby.

About our Internships continued from page 2

Due to the season schedule, interns who can stay at least though Labor Day are given first priority of employment. We real-ize this causes a hardship on the student whose college term begins early. Sometimes special arrangements for late entry can be made with the educational institution and occasionally interns who must leave before Labor Day may also be offered posi-tions. The Peninsula Players offers an intensive and rewarding experience for students preparing for careers in theatre. Interns gain knowledge by working side-by-side with theatre professionals on a daily basis. Alumni of our program can be found through-out the industry. Many had their first taste of professional theatre here. Our Equity acting company, designers, directors, pro-duction staff and administrators are all working professionals from theatres across the country. All of our employees live in housing on the grounds and eat meals together in the lodge. This has provided interns with the opportunity to work and live with working professionals and to develop friendships that can become important contacts for future employment in theatre. If you are interested in our program please return the enclosed application to me by April 1. If you have difficulties obtaining references by that date, they may be forwarded later. Thank you for your interest in Peninsula Players. Cordially, Audra Baakari Boyle Business Manager

To learn more about Peninsula Players Theatre Visit our website at www.peninsulaplayers.com or phone 920.868.3287