North Texas Performing Arts is unique in offering its students the tremendous opportunity to gain internship experience in exciting and challenging roles in support of NTPA operations in both compensated and uncompensated positions.
These internship opportunities allow the students to gain valuable life skills and build a better future. In a recent national survey, 60% of employers stressed the importance of students focusing on their careers in high school, and 90% agreed that internships can greatly assist with this. Internships allow students to begin building their own professional networks, and create references for college admissions and other opportunities. Interns gain hands-on skills and provide experience with professional skills including interviewing, teamwork and accountability and provide that “resume builder” that will put NTPA students a step ahead of others their age.
Compensated ACE Internships
Active ACE (Acting Company for Excellence) Members may be eligible for compensated internship roles in support of camp or class operations. Qualified ACE’s (generally limited to Conservatory students that have completed their theatre certification) may apply for compensation for production support roles including choreography, assistant-directing, technical or backstage support. To receive internship credit, an ACE MUST GAIN PRE-APPROVAL from the local Managing Director.
After fulfilling their ten-hour annual service requirement, ACE Members can earn up to $6 per approved hour in tuition credit, and for senior ACE Members there is no limit to the number of hours a student can accumulate or earn. Junior ACE Members can receive no more than 80 compensated intern hours (equivalent of approximately $500 in credits) annually. Unused credits for all ACEs expire annually each Spring on May 31st, and so must be applied to show tuitions by that deadline.
ACE’s interested in internships earning tuition compensation must complete the ACE Internship Application Form BEFORE commencing work for which they intend to be compensated. All positions MUST be prior approved by the Managing Director as a compensated role. After receiving approval and completing the hours of the intern activity, the ACE must submit their hours via an ACE Compensated Hour Approval Form to the Director/Teacher, Managing Director, and Creative Director for approval. Compensated hours may not be used as credit for any other intern requirement within NTPA, including an Academy student’s intern requirements.
| Role | Tier A | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting Design / Programming, could include Board Operations | $150 | $100 |
| Choreography | Per show, not to exceed $60 | Per show, not to exceed $36 |
| Music Director | Per show, not to exceed $60 | Per show, not to exceed $36 |
| Assistant Stage Manager/Director | $150 | $100 |
| Kids | $180 | |
| JR | $240 | |
| Full Length | $300 |
Non-Compensated Internships
Qualified NTPA students may work as Interns in support of various theatre operations in non-compensated roles with the prior approval of the Managing Director of the theatre location. These internship opportunities allow students to begin building their own professional networks, and create references for college admissions and other opportunities. Interns gain hands-on skills and provide experience with professional skills including, teamwork and accountability and provide that “resume builder” that will put NTPA students a step ahead of others their age.
Students interested in these internships must complete the ACE Internship Application Form and must be approved by the location’s Managing Director. Upon completing the work effort, a student may request a letter of reference or confirmation of work performed from the Managing Director.