La Jolla Playhouse is a place where artists and audiences come together to create what’s new and next in the American theatre, from Tony Award-winning productions, to imaginative programs for young audiences, to interactive experiences outside our theatre walls. We offer internships, in all artistic and administrative departments, for developing professionals to gain industry experience by learning side-by-side with extraordinary artists, administrators and technicians. Join a group of people who value creativity, collaboration and innovation while developing plays and musicals that impact people across the globe. Enjoy Playhouse performances, make valuable connections and hone skills that will benefit you in your chosen career.
La Jolla Playhouse internships are paid opportunities that take place at the Playhouse theatre campus located at University of California, San Diego. Internships are available year-round and touch every aspect of this exciting and fun business. If you believe La Jolla Playhouse is the right match for you, please submit an application online during one of our application windows.
Experience | La Jolla Playhouse offers a hands-on, immersive internship that will provide you with learning experiences, opportunities to develop professional skills, observe live processes and performance, and give you an inside look at career pathways in theatre.
Rehearse | During your internship at La Jolla Playhouse, you will form professional relationships that will expand pathways in your chosen field and beyond. Our entire staff is dedicated to providing a holistic, learning experience which includes working to ensure your individual goals are addressed and connecting you with the professionals and resources that will best benefit your specific goals.
Develop | You will have many opportunities to reach your learning goals by participating and contributing towards projects and processes here at La Jolla Playhouse. We commit to providing a nurturing yet challenging experience for you to develop skills through hands-on learning and observation. By the end of your internship, you will have a deeper understanding of the day to day functioning and mission of non-profit theatre.
Play | We invite you as an intern to play with us – to create, ask questions, speak loudly, advocate, grow, laugh, and learn with us through opportunities to connect at playhouse functions, ticketing opportunities in our theatre and within the community, and social events with the other interns in your cohort. Play is a fundamental value at the Playhouse. We laugh, collaborate, support, and create together as an institution. We believe we cannot create the new and the next in theatre without valuing our relationships with each other, and developing reciprocal relationships with our community.
The La Jolla Playhouse Internship Program is open to all developing artists and professionals who have completed their secondary education at time of application. If you are a high school student interested in becoming involved at La Jolla Playhouse, please consider learning more about our Teen Council.
Curious about Summer Internships Opportunities?
Sign up here to be the first to know about Summer Internships. Applications for Summer 2025 will open beginning January 22!
SUMMER 2025 IMPORTANT DATES:
Q: I’m considering putting Artistic as my first choice- what is the most popular first choice department?
A: By far, the most popular first choice department is our Artistic Internship, with hundreds of applicants ranking this internship as their top choice every season. If you are considering ranking Artistic as your first choice, we encourage you to consider ranking at least two other different LJP departments that you would be interested in working with on your application. We highly encourage all applicants to read through all internship descriptions, as each internship offers unique and exciting learning opportunities.
Q: I’m applying for multiple departments on my internship application- who should I write my cover letter to?
A: If you are applying to be considered for multiple internships within your application, feel free to address your cover letter to ” LJP Learning and Engagement”. If you are looking to apply with only one department in mind, we recommend taking a moment to look at the staff listing on our website and address your cover letter to director of the department.
Q: I see the Playhouse Internship Program is a paid program – exactly how much does an LJP Internship pay?
A: All interns at LJP are paid per city of San Diego minimum wage. Please check HERE for current rate.
Q: How many hours a week can I work, and what will I be doing during my time with LJP?
A: The number of hours, your schedule, and your educational goals will be decided between your intern supervisor and you. For Summer 2024, the number of hours per week will never exceed 30 hours, but we ask that you be available to work at least 15 hours per week. For Academic Year 2024, the number of hours per week will never exceed 20 hours, but we ask you be available to work at least 10 hours per week. Weekly educational intern seminars with LJP staff members will be built into your daily schedule and are considered mandatory to attend.
Q: I don’t live in San Diego, is there housing available through LJP?
A: We are unable to offer housing accommodations at this time.
Q: I see you offer internships within the production department, but are there internships within the production shops – like costumes or props – available?
A: We currently do not offer internships within production shops, but other opportunities may be available. Please email LJP Learning and Engagement at [email protected] to learn more.
La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Interns with a strong theatre background will benefit from exploring the day-to-day operations of an artistic department through administrative practice, rehearsal observation, and hands-on learning. By utilizing excellent computer, writing and organizational skills, they will be guided by Artistic staff to learn the process of casting shows, new play/musical development and artistic administration. Other duties may include assisting the Artistic staff in a new play workshop, reading and evaluation of scripts, dramaturgical research, and ongoing organization and maintenance of the Playhouse library.
A Company Management/General Management intern will engage in a high-energy department committed to the care of out of town and local artists. Interns in the Company Management/General Management department will gain hands-on experience with: coordinating transportation and housing for visiting artists, maintaining company owned housing units and vehicles, planning and executing special company events, contracting, interpreting and utilizing collective bargaining agreements, artist/agent relations, union relations and assisting artists with hospitality needs by serving as a liaison between La Jolla Playhouse and visiting artists. Company Management/General Management interns will meet and interact with staff from all departments at La Jolla Playhouse and a variety of professional artists. Interns who have an interest in the administrative side of theatre will enjoy refining their written and verbal communication, problem-solving and organizational skills. Company Management/General Management interns schedules vary and include evenings and weekends, to experience all stages of the production process.
A Learning and Engagement intern will be immersed in the daily operations of a vibrant, collaborative department and gain knowledge and experience in working with members of our extended San Diego community, including students and educators (K-12 and at the college/university level), military/veterans, adult learners, incarcerated youth and other community groups to whom the arts are less accessible. Through hands-on administrative experience, this position will gain knowledge of and provide support for: curriculum development, teacher professional learning, our Performance Outreach Project (POP) Tour for kids, student matinee, in school programs, community engagement, summer programs for youth, and adult classes. This position will also interact with and learn from our Teen Council and our Playhouse Leadership Council. A strong candidate will have passion for equitable arts access, collaborating on a team, and a spirit of creativity.
La Jolla Playhouse Communications interns have the opportunity to be closely involved in the inclusive workings of a world-renowned theatre’s communications department by learning the building blocks of marketing campaigns, participating in weekly department meetings, completing special projects that contribute to the team’s goals and objectives and representing La Jolla Playhouse at community events. A communications intern is a creative, self-motivated, collaborative individual who is passionate about gaining a deeper understanding of communications, marketing, advertising, and or public relations in the performing arts. This opportunity is a terrific chance to interact with and be mentored by seasoned professionals who have an in-depth knowledge of sales and marketing, public relations, institutional communications, multi-media design, social media and the performing arts. A strong candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience with Microsoft Suite and Google Suite and a working knowledge of major social media platforms.
A La Jolla Playhouse Philanthropy Intern can expect to increase their understanding of how to conduct a fundraising campaign, gain familiarity with special events, institutional marketing and public relations, as well as what resources different people – staff, artists, trustees, volunteers, audiences and the larger community – contribute to make not-for-profit arts organizations successful. They will assist with fundraising mailings, prospect research, impact reports, data entry and filing. This position will also help support and staff special events. A strong candidate will have an interest in theatre/arts administration and/or fundraising, enjoy writing, meeting people and creating new relationships, is open to learning new systems, is a friendly and positive communicator, quick to adapt to new circumstances and cares about diversity within the arts.
Production Management Interns will be exposed to the production process of a show from beginning to end. Throughout the course of their experience they will gain a strong understanding of all aspects of Production Management including design process, production process, rehearsal, tech and preview process, budgeting, scheduling, contracting, personnel management, time management, safety management and risk assessments. Production Management Interns will work with La Jolla Playhouse staff, Directors, Stage Managers, Designers, Actors, and Technicians and gain a deeper understanding of how these roles intersect in a not for profit regional theater. Further administrative learning opportunities include data entry, office correspondence, filing, and troubleshooting. A successful candidate will have a strong interest in Stage Management or Production Management.
Stage Management Interns will engage directly with professional union Stage Managers, Assistant Stage Managers, and non-union Production Assistants and University of California San Diego Stage Management Residents to learn about all aspects of the career path. Throughout the course of their experience they will gain a strong understanding of all aspects of Stage Management including running rehearsals, tech, and previews as well as running the show once it is open. An ideal Stage Management Intern has a strong interest in learning about all aspects of the Stage Management field.
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