INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Hershey Theatre is the premier theatre venue for events in Central Pennsylvania, presenting National Touring Companies of Broadway and other touring and local theatrical entertainment. In continuous operation since 1933, the Hershey Theatre has hosted film and theatrical entertainment ever since, which gives it a unique and storied history.

Hershey Theatre is a division of The M.S. Hershey Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by Milton Hershey in 1935 and dedicated to providing cultural and educational opportunities for residents of Central Pennsylvania. The M.S. Hershey Foundation also supports Hershey Gardens, Hershey Museum, Hershey Community Archives and Chocolatetown Square.

Hershey Theatre offers two internships: one in Marketing and Public Relations and one in Operations and Production. Both internships are part-time, unpaid, and available during the fall and spring semesters of the school year for college junior and seniors. Hershey Theatre is an operating performance venue and interns will be expected to be available to work nights and weekends.

To apply please send a letter and resume to:

     Hershey Theatre
     Attention: Personnel Coordinator
     P.O. Box 395
     Hershey, PA 17033
     Email address: Htheatre@Hersheytheatre.com

Interns are accepted into the program after review of submitted materials, discussion with applicant's institution and interviews with staff.

Administrative and General:

1. Make sure that all required paperwork is given to the Personnel Coordinator prior to beginning the internship.
2. Keep a log of daily assignments that were completed and activities that were participated in and number of hours worked.
3. Be available to work nights and weekends in various capacities.
4. The Personnel Coordinator at the theatre will be the contact person for all interns. Any problems or situations that may arise should be directed to that person.
5. Stay in contact with school representative and follow any requirements that the university/college have set up.
6. Interns will be expected to help with general office and clerical duties as assigned.
7. Interns should also become familiar with the history of Hershey Theatre.
8. All interns will have opportunities in the following areas during the internship time period:
      Facility management
      Event operations
      Production and event planning
      Box office procedures
      Theatre tours
      Visit all foundation entities, those being the Museum,
      Gardens, and Archives
      Show advertising
      Public Relations
      Arts administration/show booking/budgeting

Listed below is a general description of the two internship opportunities that are available at Hershey Theatre.

Marketing and Public Relations Internship:

1. Community relations (which may include attending various meetings, delivering posters and heralds, etc.)
2. Help with mailings for news releases and Ovation Newsletter.
3. Learn to write news releases for shows and classic films.
4. Learn to arrange/schedule press conferences and phone and TV interviews.
5. Learn how to set up a classic film series and their ordering and return or film.
6. Represent Hershey Theatre at various meetings and community outreach such as the Hershey Partnership and Foundation meetings.
7. Help plan, execute and participate in educational programs.
8. Help with various show publicity.
9. Shadow on an actual show night to observe settlements with company managers.
10. Learn how groups are contacted and how to process group orders.
11. Help with public relations and marketing assignments.
12. Spend time with Hershey Theatre’s advertising agency.
13. Listen to and possible participate in radio interviews.
14. Other duties as assigned.

Operations and Production Internship:

1. Learn about certain specifics concerning shows such as union requirements, riders, etc.
2. Observe load in and load outs of shows.
3. Shadow the department heads.
4. Discuss IATSE and how it works here.
5. Go on a complete tour of the theatre and help with tours.
6. Observe a show (while performance is going on) from backstage .
7. Learn about the physical aspect of the building.
8. Long range plans as directed by the operations manager.
9. Work as member of the stagehand crew.
10. Facility Management, which includes:

    Inventory

    Contract supervision

    Concessions operations

    Front of House operations

    Capital Projects

11. Other duties as assigned