Internships - Networking and Searching

[oprachrstenor]

I am currently a BFA student at University of Memphis (UofM) Department of Theatre and Dance and I am looking for feedback on a couple of questions regarding internships. UofM now requires internship for all undergraduate students and in our department the internship needs to be approved in advance by our faculty advisor and the department staff.

First question...networking. I realize that my instructors are a great resource. Can anyone point me in a good direction to look for networking resources? I am still familiarizing myself with the forums on here and on the SMA website. (I am an associate member.) I am particularly interested in stage management and opera. (I have sung with our local opera company, Opera Memphis, for the past nine seasons and it is my ultimate goal to stage manage and direct opera, although not exclusively.)

Second question...when to start searching. I am hoping to have an internship beginning in summer of 2011. When is it a good time to start sending out resumes and letters? How far ahead do companies plan out their seasons and internship needs?

I am trying to be as proactive as possible. I would greatly appreciate any assistance or direction available. Thank you.

Jeff Harwood

[SMrose]

My experience w/ opera seasons is that planing starts way in advance.  The larger the company, the earlier the planing (as singers need to be contracted/booked among other personnel needs). I'd send my resume out now informing the contact person that you will be graduating on "such and such date" and you're looking ahead.  Check and see if there is any summer opera you could work with this year. You can search wikipedia/list of opera companies.

[oprachrstenor]

Thank you so much, SMRose!

I have begun to search the web for stage management internships with opera companies. I have found some opportunities that have be bouncing off the walls! There are a couple of opportunities that I am salivating over: Glimmerglass and Washington National Opera. There other some other opportunities out there that would be good experience. However, they are uncompensated and our department frowns on uncompensated internships/apprenticeships.

I have also been talking with the artistic director for Opera Memphis. Opera is a very small world and everyone knows virtually everyone...according to him. So I'm going to put a bug in his ear and see if he would be willing to act one of my references.

I'm looking at Summer 2011 or even the Fall or Spring semester of the 2011/2012 school year. I definitely want to get some more design courses under my belt and SM experience with various productions at school and in the community... would like to pad my resume a little more before I send it off.