A New Era Begins LMC Introduces Summer Theatre Internship Program Lees-McRae College has announced the formation of its first-ever Summer Theatre Internship Program. Photo by Mark Mitchell By Mark Mitchell The roots of the school trace back to 1900, the roots of the program took hold in 1984, but now in 2007, a new era has begun as Lees-McRae College has announced its first Summer Theatre Internship Program. The program will be broken down into three sessions; Session I-June 20-July 9; Session II-July 9-27; and Session III-July 27-Aug. 7. Theatre and performing artists aged 16-21 are invited to hone their skills working with the school’s summer theatre. College level academic credit, housing, and meals are available for an additional charge. Interns will be integrated throughout the school’s company, and will provide support for summer theatre operations. “While we have had interns before, this is our first structured internship program,” said Janet Barton Speer, PhD, the chair of the school’s division of performing arts and the artistic director of the Lees-McRae Summer Theatre (LMST). “This will be a great learning experience for high school students. This will allow them the chance to work with professionals.” The mission of the LMST internship program is to provide young, aspiring performing and theatre artists with practical experiences and opportunities to further their knowledge and skills in the profession. Interns will have the opportunity to work in the following areas throughout their summer experience; House management; Summer theatre office; Ensemble work in selected shows; Publicity; Costume shop; Scene shop; Painter; Electrics shop; Spot operator; and Set crew. “We want the interns to be able to try many aspects of the theatre,” said Danielle Baisden, LMST Internship Program Coordinator. “We don’t want to limit the options to a few because we want to appeal to as many people as possible.” The following is a listing of costs at a glance: · Interns will be paid $100 per session. · The internship cost is $200 (covers materials, supplies, field trips and administrative costs). · Meals are $324 (optional). · The cost of college credit, which is optional, will be determined at a later date. Housing is also available for all interns, which will consist of community living residence halls that include double and triple-occupancy bedrooms, shared bathrooms, and coin-operated laundry. “It will be exciting to have high school students on campus,” said Baisden. “They will get an idea of what the college experience is really like. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun to work with them.” The opportunity to implement an internship program is one that Speer said has been in the works for years. “I’ve had people calling for years, asking what opportunities do we have for high school students,” said Speer. “It is a opportunity that involves trust from the parents and the students.” The application deadline for the internship program is April 2. There will be 12 vacancies for LMST interns. Interns will be selected once the LMST staff has reviewed the application materials and has conducted phone interviews. All interns will be selected by April 16. Application criteria includes the following: · Applicants must be 16-21-years-old. · A neatly completed application form. · One-page resume highlighting the applicant’s performing arts and theater experience. · Three letters of reference from non-family members; reference must be made to communication skills, talents, character, work ethics and support of abilities to work in the areas of performance, management and/or technical theater. · A minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher. The LMST will showcase three musicals this summer; Damn Yankees-July 1-8; Showtune-July 20-26; and West Side Story-Aug. 1-6. “We are excited for the first year of our internship program,” said Speer, “but my vision is for our program to become so well known over the next few years that we will have an even higher interest.” To contact the school regarding the internship program, you may call (828) 898-3478 or write to: Lees-McRae College, Summer Theatre & Internship Program, P.O. Box 128, Banner Elk, NC, 20604, Attention: Danielle Baisden. Those interested in applying for the internship via the Internet may do so by filling out an on-line application form. The address for the on-line form is www.lmst.lmc.edu/intern.