APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR OUR 2026 SEASON!

Join the Chester Theatre team for a summer of great performances of thought-provoking plays at the crossroads of Massachusetts’s Berkshires and Pioneer Valley.

Last season our 4 shows garnered 5 Berkshire Theater nominations and 2 wins, and 2 productions were named the 10 Best of the Year in the Berkshire Eagle.  Be a part of the small theater that the New Yorker said produces “some of the most adventurous programming in the area.”

Start Date: arrive by May 23, 2026

End Date: August 27, 2026

Hours: 40 hours a week

Stipend: $200 per week ($2800 in total)

Housing: Accommodations in a fully furnished, five-bedroom house within a five-minute walking distance to theater, rehearsal spaces and office. Full kitchen, living area and two bathrooms, with in-unit washer and dryer. On street parking is available. Some bedrooms are shared between 2 interns.

Travel: Transport from Bradley International Airport or Springfield Union Station to Chester can be arranged. There is no travel stipend.

Chester Theatre relies on a small, dedicated team of artists, technicians and staff to create award-winning theater.  Interns are an integral part of the Chester family.  As an intern, you will meet with the artistic directors and other guests for regular round table discussions about theater-making and career preparation.  Opportunities to see productions at other western Massachusetts theaters come up throughout the summer.

PRODUCTION INTERN
Production Interns are an integral part of our productions.  We are looking for interns with interest and experience in electrics, set construction, props, costumes.  A production intern generally has one main track in the areas above. However, each internship is developed according to the skills and interests of our applicants.  Please let us know the area(s) you are most interested in.

All production interns can expect to:

• Be called for all load-in and strikes throughout the season
• Assist with the load in and set up of theater at beginning of the season, and the strike of the theater at the end of the season.
• Serve on a running crew
• Assist the production Manager on tasks as needed
• Be trained in the basics of front-of-house activities and be called on if needed.

Other duties, depending on your particular internship:

• Assist the Production Electrician with show prep, hang, focus, load-in, strike for all shows.
• Serve as Sound and Light Board Operator for all shows.
• Assist the Costume Designers in the selection and maintenance of all costumes
• Wash any necessary costume elements between shows.
• Assist Scenic Designers and Technical Director in the construction and implementation of scenic elements.
• Assist with finding or building props.

Reports to: Production Manager and, where appropriate, the Production Electrician, Technical Director, and Designers.

STAGE MANAGEMENT INTERN

Stage Management interns take on the essential role of Assistant Stage Managers to our Equity Stage Managers. Interns will be assigned to at least 2 productions. Experience with stage management is strongly encouraged.

Expectations include:

• Assist the production Manager on tasks as needed

• Assist Equity Stage Managers during rehearsals for your assigned shows, performing daily setup and cleaning, track props and scenery and taking line notes.
• Running backstage for all performances of assigned shows, including daily setup and cleaning, as well as assisting in stage presets and changes.
• Attend production meetings as needed.
• Be called for all load-in and strikes throughout the season
• Assist with the load-in and set-up of theater at beginning of the season, and the strike of the theater at the end of the season.
• Serve on a running crew
• Be trained in the basics of front-of-house activities and be called on if needed.

Reports to: Production Manager, Equity Stage Managers.

ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN

Administrative Interns make up the patron-facing portion of our intern company! In addition to helping the administrative team, an administrative intern will take the lead in our box office and front-of-house activities.

• Assist in the day-to-day of theater administration
• Answering box office phone calls and placing ticket orders
• Shepherding program information—bios, notes, etc.—from drafts to printing.
• Designing, printing, and folding programs.
• Assisting with box office and front of house during all shows.
• Managing concessions.
• Be called for all load-in and strikes throughout the season
• Assist with the load in and set up of theater at beginning of the season, and the strike of the theater at the end of the season.

Reports to: Managing Director, Production Manager

To apply please send a brief cover letter, resume, and three references to: Chester Theatre at info@chestertheatre.org. Please indicate if you have any known conflicts with the listed contract dates.