Technical Internship Program
Within the TD&P program, the David Geffen School of Drama offers a one-year technical internship training certificate for those seeking to become professional scenic carpenters, sound engineers, projection engineers, properties supervisors, scenic artists, costumers, or production electricians. This certificate combines six graduate-level courses with closely guided and monitored practical production work. Interns receive individual attention, training, and supervision from their program advisers and work side-by-side with the School’s and Yale Repertory Theatre’s professional staff.
Interns complete two terms of the practicum course in their chosen area of concentration, as well as two terms of anti-racism training offered by the program or School. An assigned faculty or staff adviser guides each intern in selecting three additional courses each term (four each term in a non-production year). Interns may also audit one additional course as well as participate in the TD&P Seminar course both terms. Most courses offered as part of the program’s three-year M.F.A./Certificate program of study are open to technical interns. The courses cover a wide range of topics, including: shop technology, electricity, drafting, properties construction, projection engineering, sound technology, scene painting, costume construction, pattern-making, rigging, and theater safety. Interns are encouraged to consider courses from the Design program as well. In addition to practicum and course work, interns may be assigned one or two professional work assignments (PWAs) in their area, giving them some technical design, production planning, and management experience.
Those who successfully complete the program of study receive an Internship Certificate during the School’s May commencement ceremonies. Some interns decide to apply and then, if accepted, subsequently enroll in one of the three-year M.F.A./Certificate programs of study—usually Technical Design and Production or Design—sometimes receiving credit toward the degree for requirements already completed. Other interns choose to apply for a second one-year internship in the same or different discipline. Those who choose to enter the job market receive assistance from the program chair and faculty supervisors. Our alumni provide many job opportunities for professionally trained theater technicians.
Costume Intern aids in the construction of costumes for DGSD and YRT productions. Duties in the shop are tailored to each Intern's interests and abilities. The objective is to sharpen existing skills and develop new ones. This program trains folx who want to become drapers, as opposed to costume designers.
Portfolio Guidance
Portfolios may include but are not limited to the following: Renderings or costume sketches, photographs or slides of produced costumes, millinery, accessories, demonstrations of patterning, tailoring skills, figure-drawing, work in watercolors, acrylic, ink, etc.
Electrics Interns assist in hanging and focusing lights for DGSD and YRT productions. Electrics interns are instructed in budgeting and scheduling procedures, special effects problem solving, maintenance, and repair of lighting equipment. Interested and qualified interns may be invited to serve as the Production Electrician on a DGSD or YRT production when schedules permit. This program trains folx who want to become production electricians, as opposed to lighting designers.
Interns who have an interest in designing are encouraged to participate in the Yale Cabaret.
Portfolio Guidance
Portfolios may include but are not limited to the following:
System design draftings, photos, any documentation supporting script analysis. Examples of any creative work. Please also include any documentation supporting your project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills. Examples of this can include material breakouts for purchasing and labor assignments.
Projection Interns come here to learn how to build content and learn how to work in a large organization. Interns are able to take classes within the Projection Design program or Design program. This program trains folx who want to become projection engineers, as opposed to projection designers.
Portfolio Guidance
Portfolios may include but are not limited to the following: projection system draftings, photos, or any other supporting documentation. Examples of any creative and/or design or video work. Please also include any documentation supporting your project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.
The Prop Intern will assist in constructing and procuring properties for YRT productions and develop management experience. The Intern also has shop time for self-chosen projects that do not need to be show specific to develop personal area(s) of interest. Interested and qualified interns may be invited to serve as the Prop Manager on a DGSD production when schedules permit. This program trains folx who want to become prop artisan, as opposed to set designers.
Portfolio Guidance
Portfolios may include but are not limited to the following:
Sketchbooks, drafting, prop drawings, examples of your painting, scene painting, renderings or designs, woodworking skills or construction, metalworking, mold making, sculpture, soft good skills: sewing or upholstery, as well as items you have built: furniture, masks, puppets, costumes, craft pieces, and examples of craftsmanship.
The Scene Painting Intern paints scenery for DGSD and YRT productions. The Intern's existing skills will be used in the paint shop, and new skills will be developed. This program trains folx who want to become scenic artists, as opposed to set designers.
Portfolio Guidance
Portfolios may include but are not limited to the following: sketchbooks, drawings, paintings, production shots of your work, renderings, sculpture, designs, paint elevations, draftings, examples of soft good skills, and other non-theatrical artwork.
The Scene Shop Interns build scenery for DGSD and YRT productions alongside full-time staff carpenters. Interested and qualified interns may be invited to serve as Assistant Technical Director on DGSD productions. This program trains folx who want to become carpenters, as opposed to set designers.
Portfolio Guidance
Portfolios may include but are not limited to the following: drafting plates, technical drawings, production photographs, and close-up construction detail photographs (in‐progress or finished work) to show examples of the quality of your personal craftsmanship.
Sound interns participate in the installation of sound systems for DGSD & YRT productions alongside full-time staff. They receive guided hands-on experience with a broad range of industry-standard equipment and develop skills related to all aspects of sound system design & installation. Interested and qualified interns may be invited to serve as the Assistant Sound Designer / Sound Engineer on DGSD or YRT productions when schedules permit. This program trains folx who want to become sound engineers, as opposed to sound designers.
Portfolio Guidance
Portfolios may include but are not limited to the following:
Sound system draftings, photos, or any other supporting documentation. Examples of any creative and/or recording work. Please also include any documentation supporting your project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.