College Students, Recent Grads Make a Difference Every Summer at The Muny

More than making copies and running errands, interns fill vital roles at The Muny.

“From stage management to marketing and everywhere in between, Muny interns are fully integrated into our entire organization,” says Muny Director of Education Tali Allen. “We rely on them to manage projects, organize people, learn from skilled craftspeople and so much more.”

Applications for our 2024 season will be accepted through Jan. 29. Muny internships are paid, and students must be available June 3 through Aug. 20 (some positions may begin May 30).

Typically, more than 200 students from colleges worldwide apply for 35 to 40 positions.

“There are so many different departments to learn in, and they’re all incredibly equipped with experienced and knowledgeable people,” says Sara Akihiro, who worked as a marketing intern in 2023 while studying special education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “There’s so much to learn in your realm and in different areas you may not have initial interest in.”

Akihiro plans to return this summer to The Muny development department.

Jaron Cole, who studied musical theatre and arts administration at Elon University in North Carolina, was a Muny producing intern in 2022. He says he was most inspired by how calm things were, even in the most challenging moments.

“It was amazing to see so many people working together with one shared mission and one shared goal,” Cole says. “COVID, two floods, production challenges — it was all hands on deck, all voices heard and collaboration at every level. Because of this experience, I was able to leave with such a clear vision of what this industry is supposed to look like.”

Gregory Almanza was a directing intern in 2022 and 2023 while studying directing at Webster University. He values the family atmosphere he experienced in his time at The Muny.

“It’s not just a single opportunity but rather a connection that will take you anywhere you let it,” Almanza says. “Few companies offer a directing internship that allows you to be in the action, observing and working. More importantly, your mentors trust you.”

Dorathy Johnston was a costume design intern in 2022. After graduating from Webster University with a BFA in costume design, she worked as a costume production assistant on the Beetlejuice national tour.

“Whether I was helping with fittings, sorting rentals, storyboarding costumes scene by scene or keeping track of rack tags and dividers for each cast member, it was an incredible summer,” Johnston says of her Muny internship.

Almanza and Johnston were recipients of Carol B. Loeb Fellowships. Each fellow is also paired with a professional mentor for one to two years after working at The Muny.

Johnston says it’s exciting to have real-world insights in an industry that can be challenging.

“Having just graduated, there are people who are ‘supposed’ to be our mentors,” she says. “Thanks to Mrs. Loeb, I’m grateful to have this important connection to someone who can really help me evaluate my choices and make good decisions about my career.”

Internships at The Muny are open to rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as seniors who are about to graduate. New in 2024, producing and directing positions are available to MFA graduate students. Learn more at muny.org/education/internships.

Muny internships are made possible through the Crawford Taylor Education Initiative, which serves more than 2,000 students in 10 programs.

A version of this article originally appeared in the winter 2022 issue of Behind the Booms, a newsletter for Muny Partners.