Summer Internships
Each summer, ADF offers internships in all areas of arts administration and production. Administrative internships provide hands-on experience for those interested in arts management. Production interns work on the crew for the summer performances.
All interns work in an invigorating arts environment, as an integral part of the ADF staff. Each intern plays an important role in carrying out ADF’s mission to serve dance, dancers, choreographers, and artists in related fields.
Teaching Opportunities
ADF School Intensives
As a general rule, the ADF School does not accept unsolicited teaching inquiries. We take the selection of faculty seriously and are constantly examining the dance landscape for exemplary educators.
ADF Samuel H. Scripps Studios
If you are interested in teaching a weekly class or a special workshop at ADF’s Studios, please send your performance/teaching resume and proposed class description to studios@americandancefestival.org. We offer a variety of classes for all ages and levels. Typically, the weekly class schedule is set several months in advance, and special workshops are scheduled on an ongoing basis.
ADF prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Volunteer at ADF
Over the years, ADF Volunteers have proven to be an invaluable part of our community. From distributing marketing materials to hosting faculty members, your help is immeasurable. We invite you to join us and support one of North Carolina’s cultural gems.
Benefits of being an ADF Volunteer:
- Experience ADF as an insider and discover the behind-the-scenes.
- Meet fellow dance artists and enthusiasts from around the world.
- Share your passion for modern dance by utilizing your skills.
- Enjoy complimentary perks as a token of our thanks!
Volunteer Opportunities
Office/Events Volunteers
Year-round opportunities. Different opportunities will require different amounts of time and hours, possibly including short training sessions.
Ideal volunteers will be personable, dependable, detail-oriented, and modern dance enthusiasts.
Responsibilities may include:
- Administration
Answering and transferring incoming phone calls, sorting and distributing incoming mail, filing documents, preparing large mailings, and assisting specific departments as needed. Operating office machines such as computers, printers, and scanners may be needed. - Special Events
Assisting ADF staff with special dinners, events, and parties. Volunteers may help with decorations, set-up and break down, sending invitations, food service, and more. - Language Translation
Translating written materials as well as interpreting at tech rehearsals, in press interviews, for the school office, and more. Various languages may be needed. - Promotion
Distributing promotional materials (season brochures, posters, postcards, etc.) to local merchants, libraries, bars, restaurants, public bulletin boards, and more. - Ushering
Handing out programs, showing patrons to seats, and assisting with front-of-house activities before and after performances at various venues. - Store
Selling ADF merchandise at theaters before performances and during intermission. All proceeds support ADF tuition scholarships. - Driving
Picking up and dropping off faculty, choreographers, performers, and VIPS at the airport and transporting them to Duke’s East Campus.
To become an Office/Events Volunteer, please complete this form.
Please contact us at heidir@americandancefestival.org with any questions.
4 hours = 1 complimentary ticket
ADF's Scripps Studios Work/Study
Ideal volunteers will be personable, dependable, and modern dance enthusiasts.
Responsibilities may include:
- Helping set up and break down for informal showings
- Running check-in for adult and youth classes
- Performing simple office tasks
- Cleaning lights
- Watering plants
- Assisting Studio Manager and Studios Assitant as needed
To become an ADF Studios Work/Study, please complete this form.
Please contact Annabel Lopez at studios@americandancefestival.org with any questions.
ADF Studios Work/Study receive free studio drop-in classes in exchange for their work.
ADF's Scripps Studios Camp Volunteers
ADF’s Samuel H. Scripps Studios is introducing a teen volunteer program for our summer Youth Dance Camps beginning this summer!
- 16 years old by June 1, 2024
- Available for one 40-hour week in June or July
- Parent/guardian confirmation
- 1 letter of recommendation
Ideal volunteers will also be personable, dependable, and modern dance enthusiasts.
Responsibilities may include:
- Setting up activities and classroom materials
- Signing students into class
- Supervising campers
- Assisting teachers
- Tidying up the space
To become an ADF’s Studios Camp Volunteer, please complete this form.
Please contact Annabel Lopez at annabel@americandancefestival.org with any questions.
ADF Studios Camp Volunteers will receive free studio drop-in classes in exchange for their work.
Community Hosts
Summer: 1-7 weeks in June and/or July
Consider opening your home to the extraordinary faculty, musicians, and artists who travel to Durham each summer to be part of ADF!
To become an Community Host, please complete this Community Housing form.
Please contact school@americandancefestival.org with any questions.
Hosts offering free housing will receive 2 tickets of their choice to ADF’s 2025 Season for each week of housing offered.
Alternatively, ADF also welcomes subletting opportunities. If you have a space you are interested in subletting, please complete the same form above.