Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks – Community Engagement/Audience Development and Experience Intern
The deadline for this seasonal internship has passed.
Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is an abridged Shakespeare production that tours to 18 local parks, performing outdoors on a traveling stage. Since its inception in 2012, over tens of thousands people of all ages have experienced Shakespeare through this free program. The Community Engagement/Audience Development and Experience Interns will be key members of the Parks Team, working closely with the Project Managers and Community Engagement Consultant to build relationships with community stakeholders and to promote tour performances.
The department seeks two interns per summer, with one specializing in Community Engagement (initiatives with local artists, teens, and community stakeholders) and another in Audience Development and Experience (, press events, marketing, and audience engagement). These hands-on positions are an excellent way to learn about the design and implementation of a grassroots, community driven, marketing campaign. Community Engagement/Audience Development and Experience interns will develop valuable skills in communication, relationship building, time management, and event coordination. In addition to administrative work in support of tour engagement efforts, interns will also actively participate in community events and meetings and serve as a representative of the staff at tour performances.
Interns will work between 30-40 hours per week from June through the conclusion of the tour in late August with some weekend availability required, especially between July and August. Ideally, the successful candidates will be available to stay on for one week after the tour’s conclusion (exact date to be determined in Spring 2020). CST's Community Engagement/Audience Development and Experience internships offer a rich and challenging experience for qualified college students, recent graduates, and young professionals who are actively pursuing careers in professional theater, the performing arts, community engagement, or community organizing. Chicago Shakespeare is committed to building diversity and inclusion onstage and throughout the organization. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented groups.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Minimum one year of undergraduate education or equivalent experience in arts administration, direct marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, and/or community engagement/organization
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member
- A self-starter, with demonstrated ability to take initiative and juggle multiple projects with competing deadlines successfully
- A cheerful people person, comfortable greeting and accommodating audience members at Parks performances
- Computer literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs
- Experience in sales, promotions, or media desirable
- Experience in community organizations, volunteer work, or grassroots campaigns desirable
- Familiarity with Chicago neighborhoods a plus
- Bilingual (English & Spanish) a plus
- A valid driver’s license a plus
Internship Responsibilities
- Assist in execution of promotions, direct mail, and e-marketing projects for Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks
- Support Project Managers in the booking and coordinating of opening acts
- Schedule and attend meetings with community stakeholders
- Update mailing lists
- Assemble press kits
- Assist planning/hosting special events
- Conduct research for press releases, outreach, and special projects
- Design and manage a system for tracking marketing collateral
- Deliver promotional materials to partner organizations within the community
- Represent the tour at Night Out in the Park events across the city
- Assist with the management of our Neighborhood Host program—an initiative designed to engage local teens with the tour through part-time employment opportunities
- Identify and cultivate partners in the Access community, and work to ensure success of performances that offer Accessibility services
- Maintain social media connections and presence for Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour
- Support the creation and distribution of marketing materials offered in languages other than English
Benefits include:
- A modest travel stipend
- College credit as available through a student’s academic institution
- Complimentary tickets to CST performances
- A review of the intern’s resume and portfolio with CST Staff Members
- Invitations to company-wide events with actors, designers and other artists
- Free and reduced-price tickets to other Chicago theaters through "industry" offers
Unfortunately we are not able to provide housing.
Application Process
To be considered for an internship position with Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, please prepare the following to upload through our application form:
- A cover letter stating your specific interest(s) in Community Engagement/Audience Development and Engagement, your summer availability, and how you heard about the position. Please state which internship you are interested in: Community Engagement, Audience Development and Engagement, or both. You do not need to submit separate applications for the Community Engagement and Audience Development and Engagement internship positions.
- A current CV or resume
- Two letters of academic and/or professional reference
- If you wish to receive college credit for this internship, please include an outline of your school's requirements.
Questions? Contact Paige Whitson-Martini at parks@chicagoshakes.com.