The BDF internship program offers an opportunity to work with professional artists, receive mentorship from staff, participate in classes, performances, and other events, and create lasting relationships with your peer group.
Single-room dormitory housing and meals are provided for the duration of the internship, along with participation in one dance class each day. Interns receive an honorarium of $100 per week on campus and can typically take 1-2 classes daily, which varies for each position – dates are listed below. The exception to this are Technical Production interns, who will receive an honorarium of $200/week and are not guaranteed a daily class, pending production schedules. Interns are responsible for planning their own travel to and from campus. There are no out of pocket expenses related to their engagement otherwise. All stipends are paid after the festival has concluded.
Technical and Site-Specific Production
The Technical Production Internship is intended for young designers, stage managers, and technicians with a strong interest in dance production and stage design. Interns work closely with the Festival Production Manager and visiting artists’ production staff and design team members as part of the crew for the Festival’s public performance series. Interns hang and focus the rep plot, run sound, fly rail, and maintain the theater. In addition, interns assist in designing Bates Dance Festival in-house productions. Pending production schedule rigors, interns may enroll in one morning class during the Professional Training Program. All production applicants must have prior technical or stage management experience and a strong interest in dance and theater production. 5-6 positions are available. June 27 – August 3, 2027
Video Documentation Internship
Interns work directly with the Director of Video Archives to record all performances and related events, gaining experience in all facets of archival documentation. The internship focuses on camera work and video editing, which are necessary for proper documentation. Other skills gained: understanding the technical capabilities of high-definition cameras and film-editing software, concepts of dance documentation, interview techniques, proper titling, labeling and logging of material, editing dance, and related video footage. Applicants should include work samples of their video editing and documentation by submitting links for review. Candidates should have some experience with digital video, as well as experience in recording dance. This is an intensive internship with a lot of hands-on experience. Candidates should be prepared to actively work each weekday for two periods and many nights and weekends. Two positions available. July 7 – August 1, 2027
Video Promotions
Intern works directly with the Director of Video Promotions, in all promotional materials related to the festival. The focus of this internship is refining technical skills for capturing and editing engaging content for festival videos. The intern will gain hands-on experience filming classes, workshops, performances, and other festival-related events, as well as editing promotional videos. Skills gained are: camera and gimbal operation, storytelling in video, interview techniques, proper titling, labeling and logging of material, and editing dance and related video footage. One position available. July 7 – August 1, 2027
Administration
Interns work closely with the Festival Director, Director of Training Programs, Box Office Manager and the faculty to support the day-to-day activities of the Festival. Interns assist with daily general office management; creation and preparation of materials for students, faculty, artists, public engagement and events; program scheduling and logistics; artist services; documentation; housing; and store management and sales. When applying, please highlight specialized skills in those areas. Pending schedule needs, interns may enroll in either the morning or afternoon sessions of the Professional Training Program. Applicants must have good computer, organizational, verbal and written skills. One position available. June 22 – August 2, 2027
Arts Education
This internship is geared to students of dance, music, theater, and visual art who are passionate about arts education and preparing to teach K-12. Interns work side-by-side with the faculty of the Festival’s Youth Arts Program (YAP). YAP provides meaningful arts education to up to 60 local youth, ages 7-16, with daily dance, music, theater, and visual art classes. Interns gain valuable, hands-on experience by providing classroom support, supervising student groups, attending planning and intervention meetings, and assisting with the production of the Finale show. Interns work either in the morning or the afternoon, able to take morning or afternoon PTP classes in the opposite time, and are expected to attend 1-3 dinner or breakfast meetings per week. Applicants must document previous experience working with youth, an interest in arts education, a talent for collaboration, and good organizational and verbal skills. Six positions available. July 10 – August 1, 2027
Social Media
This intern is part of the media team, working with the Communications Manager, Videographers, and Photographer. The focus of this internship is to gain experience in managing many social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok – along with the festival’s e-newsletter via Constant Contact. Applicants should submit a work sample of their writing and social media work: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok pages managed, websites created, blogs written or graphic design examples. One position available. June 26- August 1, 2027
Photography
The BDF Photography Internship is open to applicants looking to hone their skill and interest in dance/movement photography. Applicants should have their own camera to shoot, although some equipment may be lent. The BDF dance photography intern will be asked to shoot multiple performances, community events and classes around campus while taking up to two classes each day. Please include a link to your current work in your application. One position available. July 7 – August 1, 2027
Operations
This position works closely with the Festival’s Operations Manager, and is essential in the support and facilitation of daily operations including: studio set up and maintenance, faculty & student orientation to campus, student and faculty transportation, communication and coordination with Production staff. This internship offers the opportunity to interact with Festival students, faculty and staff, gaining experience in the backend work and support essential in carrying out the success of BDF programming. Must have a driver’s license and be able to lift 25 pounds. Will also need to complete golf-cart certification and 15-passenger van certification upon arrival. 1-2 positions available. June 22 – August 4, 2027
To Apply
- Complete the online application via Acceptd, which includes a cover letter, resume and the names of two references.
- Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- There is a required non-refundable $35 application fee, plus credit card processing fee.
