INSIDE BROADWAY ROSE'S TECHNICAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Every summer, audiences experience the excitement of Broadway Rose’s largest productions. While the performers on stage often receive the spotlight, dozens of dedicated young theatre artists are working behind-the-scenes to make every performance possible.

This summer, Broadway Rose welcomed 43 paid technical interns, selected from 131 applicants, to support 32 different positions across Disney’s Newsies, Hadestown: Teen Edition, and Jack and the Beanstalk. From carpentry and costumes to lighting, sound, stage management, front-of-house, and running show crew, these interns are an essential part of every production.

Broadway Rose has offered its Technical Internship Program since the company’s founding in 1992, providing high school students, college students, and recent graduates with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience alongside working theatre professionals. More than an education program, the internship places students directly into the fast-paced environment of a professional theatre where they develop practical skills while contributing meaningful work to every performance.

“It may be surprising simply how much the interns are involved with our summer productions,” says Associate Production Manager Katie Landoni. “Nearly all the show crew roles are filled by interns. Yes, the program is an education opportunity­–but it is also a very real work opportunity, and these interns produce professional work.”

The program continues to evolve each year. This summer, Broadway Rose expanded its orientation into a two-day experience, giving interns the opportunity to explore both the Deb Fennell Auditorium and the New Stage before productions began. Through hands-on technical challenges, team-building games, and information networking, interns built connections with one another while developing practical theatre skills.

Recognizing a growing interest in theatrical design, the production team also introduced a new series of professional development sessions focused on scenic design, lighting design, costume design, and stage management. Led by Broadway Rose artists and designers, these conversations gave students the opportunity to ask questions, learn about career paths, and gain insight into professional theatre from experienced mentors.

The impact of the program reaches far beyond a single summer. Many interns quickly grow from learning basic skills to confidently applying them–and even teaching fellow interns what they’ve learned. That growth often leads to future opportunities within Broadway Rose itself. We have hired former interns to become assistant stage managers, costume designers, props designers, crew members, front-of-house staff, café employees, assistant house managers, and members of the administrative and box office teams.

The internship program has also experienced remarkable growth in recent years. After pandemic-related reductions that saw internship numbers fall to 24 students in 2022, participation rebounded to 47 interns in 2023, 43 in 2024, and a record 51 interns in 2025. This year’s class continues that momentum, drawing applicants from across the country–including one student from Massachusetts, and another who road-tripped from Colorado, and applicants representing three different countries.

For Broadway Rose, the internship program is an investment in the future of the theatre industry. Students leave not only with technical skills and professional experience, but with mentors, colleagues, and a network that can shape the next stage of their careers.

As audiences applaud each performance this summer, they’re also celebrating the work of the next generation of theatre professionals. Their talent, dedication, and willingness to learn help make Broadway Rose’s biggest productions possible­–and ensure the future of live theatre remains bright.

To learn more about our Internship program, visit our Technical Internships page. If you'd like to join us for next year's internship opportunities, remember to check back in January!