Northern Sky Production/Acting Interns
Summer Internships: May 23 – August 29, 2027
Work hard. Make theater. Embrace the elements. Find your community.
A summer internship at Northern Sky Theater is an opportunity to become an essential part of a vibrant, collaborative professional theater company in one of Wisconsin’s most beautiful settings. Our interns don’t just observe the process; they roll up their sleeves, contribute their talents, tackle challenges, and help make the magic happen, night after night.
Working closely with our stage management and production teams, interns gain hands-on experience across nearly every aspect of theater operations, including scenic and prop setup and strike, wardrobe maintenance, rehearsals, prompting, backstage run crew, marketing, social media, and community outreach. We strive to match responsibilities with individual interests and strengths while encouraging everyone to explore new areas of theater-making.
For interns interested in performing, understudy assignments may be available, along with occasional opportunities to audition for roles in our productions. Special events may also offer additional performance experiences.
The Work, the Weather, and the Adventure
Make no mistake: this is a physically demanding, fast-paced summer. Our rehearsal period is intensive, with long days, late nights, and plenty of hands-on work at both our outdoor amphitheater in Peninsula State Park and our indoor Gould Theater. Outdoor theater means working in whatever Wisconsin weather sends our way: blazing sunshine, chilly evenings, wind, rain, and mosquitos. You’ll get hot, you’ll get cold, and yes, you’ll get wet. Flexibility, stamina, initiative, teamwork, and a healthy sense of humor are essential.
But there are extraordinary rewards. You’ll work alongside dedicated theater professionals who value your contributions, share their knowledge, and understand that great theater is built through collective effort. And on those glorious summer evenings, when the breeze rolls in off Lake Michigan and the stars come out over the amphitheater, there’s no place quite like Northern Sky.
Once productions open, interns become integral members of the backstage run crew, handling nightly setup and strike, production operations, dressing room and wardrobe maintenance, and other essential responsibilities. Understudies and performers participate in weekly brush-up rehearsals. Interns also contribute to targeted marketing and social media initiatives.
The performance season generally allows for more daytime flexibility, offering opportunities to explore Door County, enjoy nearby beaches and trails, participate in workshops, and attend readings of new theatrical works.
The Details
- Contract dates: May 23 – August 29, 2027
- Compensation: $300 weekly stipend, plus housing provided by Northern Sky
- Schedule: Up to eight performances per week, Monday through Saturday; Most Sundays off
- Transportation: Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle required
- Work environment: Indoor and outdoor professional theater, including physically demanding work in variable weather conditions
More Than a Summer Job
Many Northern Sky interns return for additional seasons, and some have grown into other professional roles within our company. We recognize that interns are vital to the success of our productions, and we’re committed to providing a supportive, challenging, and rewarding professional experience.
If you’re ready to work hard, get your hands dirty, embrace the unexpected, and become part of a creative community that genuinely loves making theater, we’d love to have you join us.
To apply, follow this link: Northern Sky Internship Application Form 2027
See you under the stars!
Please contact Artistic Director Molly Rhode or Production Manager Lisa Schlenker with questions at submissions@northernskytheater.com
Check out our “What Are The Interns Doing Today” playlist here!