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Interning at BDF was the best summer I have ever had. It felt like I finally found a place where I truly belong - that happy medium between dancer and technician that I have been longing to find for so many years.

Hannah Miller

This internship has exposed me to so many amazing people that it is almost impossible to not make a BDF connection wherever I go. Being able to see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into this festival is incredible and a valuable opportunity for anyone wanting to enter this field.

Calvin Franke

BDF is unique in the way that it is more intimate and communal, fostering an environment in which obtaining connections and knowledge in the dance world and beyond is organic.

Kristen Bernier

Internships

The BDF internship program offers an opportunity to work with professional artists, receive mentorship from staff, participate in classes, performances, and other events, and create lasting relationships with your peer group.

Single-room dormitory housing and meals are provided for the duration of the internship, along with participation in one dance class each day. Interns receive an honorarium equivalent to $100 per week on campus, which varies for each position – dates are listed below. Interns are responsible for planning their own travel to and from campus. There are no out of pocket expenses related to their engagement otherwise.

2024 Internship applications will be open November 29, 2023 – January 29, 2024.

Technical and Site-Specific Production

The Technical Production Internship is intended for young designers with a strong interest in dance production and stage design. Interns work closely with the Festival Production Manager and visiting artists’ production staff and design team members as part of the crew for the Festival’s public performance series. Interns hang and focus the rep plot, run sound, wardrobe, fly rail, and maintain the theater. In addition, interns assist in designing Bates Dance Festival in-house productions. Pending production schedule rigors, interns may enroll in one morning class during the Professional Training Program. All production applicants must have prior technical or stage management experience and a strong interest in dance and theater production. Five positions are available. June 29-August 6, 2024

Video Documentation Internship

Interns work directly with the Director of Video Archives to record all performances and related events, gaining experience in all facets of archival documentation. The internship focuses on camera work and video editing, which are necessary for proper documentation. Other skills gained: understanding the technical capabilities of high-definition cameras and film-editing software, concepts of dance documentation, interview techniques, proper titling, labeling and logging of material, editing dance, and related video footage. Applicants should include work samples of their video editing and documentation by submitting links for review. Candidates should have some experience with digital video, as well as experience in recording dance. This is an intensive internship with a lot of hands-on experience. Candidates should be prepared to actively work each weekday for two periods and many nights and weekends. Two positions available. June 29 – August 4, 2024

Video Promotions

Intern works directly with the Director of Video Promotions, in all promotional materials related to the festival. The focus of this internship is techniques for capturing and editing engaging content for short promotional videos. The intern will gain hands-on experience filming classes, workshops, performances, and other festival-related events, as well as editing short videos for social media platforms. Skills gained are: camera and gimbal operation, storytelling in video, interview techniques, proper titling, labeling and logging of material, editing dance and related video footage. One position available. June 29 – August 4, 2024

Administration

Interns work closely with the Festival Director, Admissions Director, Box Office Manager and the faculty to support the day-to-day activities of the Festival. Interns assist with general office management; creation and preparation of materials for students, artists, public engagement and events; program scheduling and logistics; artist services; documentation and store management and sales. When applying, please highlight specialized skills in those areas. Applicants must have good computer, organizational, verbal and written skills. Two positions available.  June 25 – August 5, 2024

Arts Education

This internship is geared to students of dance, music, theater, and visual art interested in arts education and preparing to teach K-12. Interns work side-by-side with the arts education faculty of the Festival’s Youth Arts Program (YAP). YAP overlaps with the three-week Professional Training Program, providing a diverse group of up to 60 local youth, ages 7-16, with daily dance, music, theater, literary and visual art classes. Interns provide classroom support for the faculty of seven, gaining valuable hands-on experience, and participate in daily staff evaluation and planning meetings. Interns are also contribute to the creation of the Festival Finale production.  Applicants must document previous experience working with youth, an interest in exploring the arts with children, an ability to work as part of a team, and good organizational and verbal skills. Four positions available. July 13 – August 3, 2024

Social Media

This intern is part of the media team, working with the Communications Manager, Videographers, and Photographer. The focus of this internship is to gain experience in managing many social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok – along with the festival’s e-newsletter via Constant Contact. Applicants should submit a work sample of their writing and social media work: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok pages managed, websites created, blogs written or graphic design examples. One position available.

Photography

The BDF Photography Internship is open to applicants looking to hone their skill and interest in dance/movement photography. Applicants should have their own camera to shoot, although some equipment may be lent. The BDF dance photography intern will be ask to shoot multiple performances, community events and classes around campus while taking up to two classes each day. Please include a link to your current work in your application. One position available. June 30 – July 28, 2024

Box Office

This internship works closely with the Box Office Manager to ensure smooth operation of all public ticketed events for Festival patrons, participants, faculty, staff and visiting artists.  Applicants must be comfortable greeting the public in person as well as in responding to phone and email inquiries.

A clear communicator, multitasker,  and problem solver, applicant is comfortable with community interactions at performances as well as special events throughout the festival.  Applicants must have good computer, organizational, verbal and written skills and be able to navigate the Eventbrite Organizer application on computer and phone devices  This internship is required to hold afternoon box office hours (Wed.-Sat), will work each ticketed event in the BDF Performance Series (includes weekends) and feel confident in the exchange of electronic and cash money transactions.  Applicants must have a driver’s license and be able to lift up to 25 pounds.  Pending schedule, this intern may enroll in two morning classes during the Professional Training Program. One position available. July 7 – August 4, 2024

Operations

This position works closely with the Festival’s Operations Manager, and is essential in the support and facilitation of daily operations including: studio set up and maintenance, faculty & student orientation to campus, student and faculty transportation, communication and coordination with Production staff. This internship offers the opportunity to interact with Festival students, faculty and staff, gaining experience in the backend work and support essential in carrying out the success of BDF programming. One position available. June 25 – August 5

To Apply

  1. Complete the online application via Acceptd, which includes a cover letter, resume and the names of two references.

There is a required non-refundable $35 application fee, plus credit card processing fee.