Theater Internships
TA 498 - Graduate Theater Internship
Michael Hackett, Professor
The Theater Intern Program was created in 1966 to provide theater students with an opportunity to work with public interest groups, various entertainment organizations, and private enterprises. Each student's internship is a variable-time ten-week assignment in the local community. In the past students have been granted internships from the following sample list of organizations:|
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If a student would like to be involved in the internship program, he/she must be approved by the Theater Department. The program is open to any full-time M.F.A. or Ph.D. Theater student. Once a student has been approved for the internship program, he/she must choose the organization with which he/she would like to intern. Students must make direct contact with the internship coordinator at the organization and secure the internship. The Theater Department has a list of organizations and contact information from past internships thought students are not limited to those organizations. There is also a general list of university-wide internships in the Center for Experiential Studies located at 160 Powell Library, (310) 825-7867.
In their internships students work with academic administrators to research and learn about issues related to theater, film, and television. Past internship experiences have involved preparing reports, attending committee meetings, organizing casting calls, interacting with feature film marketing employees, participating in artist selection for films, providing script coverage, and working as professional office staff in the day-to-day duties of the organization. These internships offer students the opportunity to explore situations, exchange ideas, and gain experiences through first-hand involvement in an entertainment/arts environment. Many past internship participants are now working in positions that were established as a direct result of their participation in the program.
The internship program is offered Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer quarters. The program is open to any regularly enrolled Theater graduate student in good standing. Internships must start no later than the second week of any given quarter. Interns must enroll in the internship class during the quarter they are doing the internship. (Retroactive credit is prohibited.)
Requirements
Participating students must provide the following before the internship:
An acceptance letter (on company letterhead) from the sponsoring organization that states the following:
- Length of internship. Internship dates must coincide with Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer quarters.
- A full description of job duties.
- The specific area(s)/departments where the student will work.
- The student's weekly hours (12, 18, 24, or 30).
- The name of the student's direct supervisor (who should also sign the letter).
When the internship is completed, the student must submit documentation on the culmination of his/her work. This documentation may take utilize several different formats-written reports, design sketches, project brochures, videos, etc. The culminating project must summarize the complete internship experience and what the student learned from it. This document must be turned by 5 pm on the last Thursday of each quarter.
Both items must be handed in to the Theater Department in order to obtain a PTE number.
Deadlines for each quarter are as follows:
Fall Quarter: Thursday, December 8, 2011
Winter Quarter: Thursday, March 15, 2012
Spring Quarter: Thursday, June 7, 2012
If you plan to enroll in a summer session, please contact the Department about registration deadlines.
Credit
Credit is assigned based on the number of hours worked each week during the ten-week internship. Units are based on the following scale:
- 12 hours per week (120 hours total): 4 units
- 18 hours per week (180 hours total): 6 units
- 24 hours per week (240 hours total): 8 units
- 30 hours per week (300 hours total): 12 units
Any additional questions or problems should be directed to:
Internships
UCLA Department of Theater
Phone: 310-825-7008
303G East Melnitz
FAX: 310-206-1603
Box 951622
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622
Email: theaterintern@tft.ucla.edu
Theater Undergraduate Internship
This course provides students with an opportunity to gain field experience in theater, film, television and entertainment organizations. Each student's internship is a variable-time assignment in the profession. Students in this course have internships at many entertainment organizations, including:|
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Students must select an organization and make direct contact with the internship coordinator at the organization to secure an internship. The Theater Department maintains a list of organizations and contact information; however students are not limited to those organizations. There is also a list of internship opportunities at the Center for Experiential Studies located at 160 Powell Library, (310) 825-7867. Theater 195 is offered Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters as well as in the Summer session. Enrollment must be completed by the end of the second week of the quarter in which internship activity occurs.
Requirements
Before the Internship
1. Completion of the Internship Proposal Form.2. Theater 195 Course Contract, which can be found on your MYUCLA webpage, under Contract Courses. Please list Michael Hackett as the instructor.
3. A two-page typed essay detailing what the student hopes to gain from the internship experience.
4. An acceptance letter (on company letterhead) from the sponsoring organization that states the following:
- Length of the internship. Internship dates must coincide with Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer quarters.
- Description of internship activities.
- The specific area or department within the organization where the student will work.
- The student's weekly or total hours.
- The name of the student's supervisor.
In order to enroll in this class, these four items must be submitted to the Department of Theater by the end of the second week of classes.
During the Internship
Once the internship has begun students must submit a one-two paragraph typed weekly journal summarizing the internship activities. These journals can be emailed, faxed or hand-delivered to:
Internships
UCLA Department of Theater
Phone: 310-825-7008
303G East Melnitz
FAX: 310-206-1603
Box 951622
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622
Email: theaterintern@tft.ucla.edu
At the Conclusion of the Internship
When the internship is completed, students submit a three-five page typed essay describing the internship experience and what knowledge or insight was gained. This essay must be turned by 5 pm on the last Thursday of the quarter. Deadlines for each quarter are as follows:
Fall Quarter: Thursday, December 8, 2011 Winter Quarter: Thursday, March 15, 2012 Spring Quarter: Thursday, June 7, 2012
If you plan to enroll in a summer session, please contact the Department regarding deadlines for registration.Credit
Credit is assigned based on the number of hours worked each week during the ten-week internship or the total number of hours worked. Internships may be taken for a maximum of eight (8) units:
8 hours per week (80 hours total): 2 units
16 hours per week (160 hours total): 4 units
20 hours per week (200 hours total): 6 units
24 hours per week (240 hours total): 8 units
Grading Structure
40% Weekly Journals
40% Final Essay
20% Timely submission of Internship requirements
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