Internships

As the situation continues to evolve, ADF’s COVID policies and protocols will be updated in accordance with NC Governor Cooper’s office, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), CDC guidelines, and Duke University. These policies and protocols will change, and we appreciate patience and cooperation. To be successful, we need full participation in risk mitigation protocol from our students, staff, faculty, and parents/guardians. In exchange, we will provide transparent communication and clear updates as changes occur. A complete list of COVID policies and protocols will be available in spring 2023.

The two Archives interns work with the ADF archivist in the documentation of the summer festival and in the preservation of ADF’s historical records. Duties include accompanying the ADF videographer to performances and rehearsals, editing performance video, duplicating and distributing video, assisting with the processing of archival collections, responding to requests from researchers and ADF staff for archival materials, and providing other assistance as needed. An interest in the history and preservation of modern dance, computer experience, attention to detail, and basic knowledge of Premiere (or other video editing software) is required. Experience with videography is useful but not necessary. Evening and weekend work required. $1,850 stipend.

The Communications & Marketing intern assists in all aspects of the Communications & Marketing office, including material distribution and coordinating marketing events throughout the Triangle. Will help promote the season via ADF’s social media channels. Responsible for collecting and archiving press clippings. Also assists with VIP transportation and other projects as assigned. Must have excellent writing and editing skills, be creative, flexible, extremely detail-oriented, and work well in a fast-paced environment. Familiarity with graphic design software a plus. Evening and weekend work required. $1,850 stipend.

The Development & Executive Support intern work closely with the Director of Grants & Development Operations and the Executive Director. Main duties include special event planning and support, coordinating visits and local transportation for VIP guests, report and proposal writing, prospect research, coordinating ADF tours, designing and managing e-blasts and PowerPoints, and general administrative support. Other responsibilities include donor correspondence and database entry. The intern in this position works closely with ADF community partners to garner and manage in-kind donations for use during the season. The Development & Executive Support intern must be detail-oriented, organized, and have strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks. The Intern must also be able to conduct themselves professionally with donors and VIPs and be comfortable in public and social settings. Evening and weekend work required. Business casual attire required. Must be 21 or over. $1,850 stipend.

The Festival Services Intern assists the Festival Services Coordinator with providing event support and hospitality services to students, faculty, staff, and guests. Primary responsibilities include assisting in planning and implementing school events and activities; supporting festival-wide events; organization of the festival services storage, inventory, and supplies; and assisting with all on-campus housing, dining, ID cards, keys, and maintenance for the ADF community. Physical responsibilities include set-up, execution, and break down of events and driving a 12- to 15-passenger van. Must be able to work independently and handle concurrent tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate has experience in the hospitality industry or events; excellent customer-service and organizational skills; excellent attention to detail; and proficient Google Workspace and Microsoft Office skills. Must be comfortable with a fair amount of daily physical labor. Early morning, evening, and weekend work required. Must be 21 or older. $1,520 stipend.

The Wyse* Finance intern works closely with the staff in the ADF Finance Office on payments, deposits, and generating and analyzing reports. They will learn about bookkeeping and gain experience using Quickbooks Accounting software. They will also be an integral part of the ADF Store with the responsibility of sales at the store and the theaters, managing inventory, and preparing reports. May assist in other departments as needed. Must be detail oriented, have mathematical proficiency, and possess strong organizational skills. Experience with Microsoft Excel required. Experience with MindBody software preferred. Interest in the arts preferred. Evening and weekend work required. $1,850 stipend.

*This internship is funded by Cynthia Wyse.

The Graphic Design intern assists the Communications & Marketing Associate on various print projects including but not limited to the creation of ads, programs, flyers, and other marketing and development materials. Web design work can include creating weekly e-blasts as well as assisting with updates on the ADF website. This position also assists the Communications & Marketing department with projects and at events. This fast-paced, deadline-oriented position allows for the opportunity to build an excellent design portfolio. Knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop required. Some web knowledge is helpful, but not required. Applicants should provide samples of their graphic design work. Evening and weekend work required. $1,850 stipend.

The Performances Interns work under the direction of ADF’s Performances and Special Projects Coordinator and are responsible for providing detailed administrative support for the 2023 season dance companies as well as the choreographers featured in the Footprints program. Interns ensure timely and clear communication between artists, production crew, and relevant ADF departments. Regularly responsible for transporting company members to and from the airport and residency activities in personal vehicle or passenger van. Ideal candidates should have great organizational and interpersonal skills, an ability to juggle a variety of tasks in a rapid environment, and the flexibility to perform last-minute tasks as necessary. Early morning, evening, and weekend work required. Experience with Google suite as well as Microsoft Word and Excel required. Must be 21 or over and possess a valid driver’s license. $2,120 stipend.

The Program & Administrative Intern assists the Program & Administrative Coordinator and the Director of Education with the execution of school programs and administrative needs during the festival. Primary responsibilities include providing program-specific support to the Dance Professional Workshops and Pre-Professional Dance Intensive as well as general administrative support to all programs; assisting in the coordination of school events, activities, and showings; creating and distributing documentation and communication materials to participants, including through the festival app; and providing logistical and administrative support for school opening weekends, auditions, class registration, orientations, and check-ins. Physical responsibilities include set-up, execution, and break down for school-related events and driving a 12- to 15-passenger van. Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team and handle concurrent tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate has experience with events and/or arts administration; excellent customer service and organizational skills; excellent attention to detail; and strong Google Workspace and Microsoft Office skills. Early morning, late evening, and weekend work required. Must be 21 or older. $1,520 stipend.

The School Operations Intern assists the School Operations Coordinator with coordinating and maintaining all studio spaces and technical needs for the ADF community. Primary responsibilities include assisting with studio scheduling and space needs, equipment distribution, school operations storage and inventory; coordinating transportation for students, faculty, and guests; and assisting with school projects and events. Physical responsibilities include set-up, execution, and break down of production/technical needs for school-related events and driving a 12- to 15-passenger van. Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team and handle concurrent tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate has experience in facilities or scheduling; excellent customer-service and organizational skills; excellent attention to detail; and proficient Google Workspace and Microsoft Office skills. Must be comfortable with a fair amount of daily physical labor. Experience with basic technical equipment is a plus. Early morning, evening, and weekend work required. Must be 21 or older. $1,520 stipend.

The Special Projects Intern works under the direction of ADF’s Performances and Special Projects Coordinator and provides support to ADF’s International Choreographers Residency (ICR) program, the Faculty and Musicians Concert(s), the Footprints program, and other projects assigned to the Performances office. Responsibilities include but are not limited to assisting with the preparation and execution of all ICR programming including ICR rehearsals and showcase, providing administrative support for the Faculty and Musicians, transporting ICR participants and artists to and from the airport, completing store runs, and coordinating auditions, rehearsal space, and other logistics relating to special performance company events. Ideal candidates should have great organizational and interpersonal skills, an ability to juggle a variety of tasks in a rapid environment, and an aptitude for detailed work. Must have the flexibility to perform last-minute tasks as necessary. Experience with Google suite as well as Microsoft Word and Excel required. Prior stage and/or house management experience is a plus. Early morning, evening, and weekend work required. Must be 21 or over and possess a valid driver’s license. $1,790 stipend.

The Studios & Community Engagement Intern will work closely with the Manager of Studio Programs & Community Engagement to facilitate summer operations of the year-round studio operated by ADF, including classes, camps, workshops, community outreach, and space reservations. Primary responsibilities will include assisting with logistics for a full roster of summer camps, including planning activities, managing check-in, creating parent packets, coordinating supplies and schedules, tracking attendance, camper supervision (including before and after care). Additional responsibilities include coordinating and attending community outreach events as needed, studio facility management and supervision, volunteer management, off-site event or class registration, and camper performance opportunities (Pilobolus). Must be detail-oriented, adaptable, and have strong interpersonal communication skills. Previous work with children preferred. Evening and weekend work required. $1,985 stipend.

As the situation continues to evolve, ADF’s COVID policies and protocols will be updated in accordance with NC Governor Cooper’s office, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), CDC guidelines, and Duke University. These policies and protocols will change, and we appreciate patience and cooperation. To be successful, we need full participation in risk mitigation protocol from our students, staff, faculty, and parents/guardians. In exchange, we will provide transparent communication and clear updates as changes occur. A complete list of COVID policies and protocols will be available in spring 2023.

Applications must be postmarked or e-mailed by February 15, 2023.

Interns are expected to be available for the duration of the program.

Production (June 1-July 26, 2023)

Work on the crew for the 18-plus performances of the ADF season. Responsibilities will vary from show to show, including stage management, wardrobe, sound, electrics, and carpentry. Experience in dance production is preferred. $2,200 stipend. Weekend and evening work required. Time off will be determined by the Production Director.

To apply, submit a completed application form, cover letter,
resume, and two letters of recommendation to:

adf@americandancefestival.org
or
American Dance Festival
Box 90772, Durham, NC 27708

Interns are responsible for their own transportation, food, and housing.

• All interns must have a valid driver’s license. A car is needed for some internships (please read internship descriptions to know which positions require this).
• Interns will be required to purchase a parking permit to park on Duke University’s East Campus. Price TBD by Duke University.
• Apartments and rooms are available for rent or sublet in the local area, and it is the intern’s responsibility to arrange accommodation. More information about housing resources will be provided upon acceptance to the program.

Sarah Tondu, Managing Director, directs the intern program. Interns are supervised by the ADF staff member of their chosen department. ADF maintains a permanent year-round staff of twelve that expands as the summer season approaches.

ADF’s Production Manager, David Ferri, directs the production internship program. David Ferri is the Lighting Designer and Technical Director at Vassar College. He has worked with prominent choreographers such as Pina Bausch, Shen Wei, Doug Varone, Jane Comfort, Eiko and Koma, David Rousseve and Ballet Preljocaj. He has been the Production Manager for the prestigious American Dance Festival since 1996. Recipient of 1987-1988 Bessie Award for his design of Doug Varone’s “Straits”, and 2000-2001 “Bessie” Award for Sustained Achievement in Lighting Design, Mr. Ferri was also resident lighting designer and technical director at PS 122 in NYC from 1985-1991.

by Production Inter Yuta Kataoka

My name is Yuta Kataoka and I am a senior at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. I am majoring in Liberal Arts Multidisciplinary Studies, concentrating in Dance Production Management and Hospitality Management. This summer at the American Dance Festival being a production intern was the best learning experience I could have ever wished for. Every week we worked about two shows while working with professional companies and their production crews. Throughout the summer I was able to connect with these people in the industry. I got to work with a group of talented interns and crewmembers who are also aspiring to enter the dance world. Working as a production intern helped me understand what it is like to work in this industry and it made me want to keep working in this profession.

I was fortunate enough to experience most of the elements that are included when working in the theatre; deck crew, wardrobe, rail, light board operator, sound board operator, lighting design, and stage management. As we work on the shows throughout the summer, the production crew comes together and anything is possible; from making it rain in the theatre to laying down and taking up the marley floor within ten minutes during the show.

7:00am – Get ready for the day!
8:00am – Dance class of the day.
10:00am – Head to assigned theatre.
10:15am – Arrive at theatre.
10:30am – Coffee Break!
10:45am – Back to work.
12:30pm – Lunch break!
1:30pm – Continue cueing, spiking the floor, assisting
3:45pm – Break time
4:00pm – Run through pieces
6:00pm – Dinner break!
7:00pm – Dress rehearsal
9:00pm – Clean up and set up for top of the show tomorrow
10:00pm – The company leaves the theatre and we do one last sweep.

The American Dance Festival – held in Durham, North Carolina – is an international dance festival that attracts students, faculty, performers, and choreographers from around the world. The studios and administrative offices are spread across Duke University’s East Campus. Performances by visiting dance companies occur in Reynolds Industries Theater on Duke University’s West Campus, the Rubenstein Arts Center and Page Auditorium on Duke University, Durham Performing Arts Center, and various local venues. Learn more about Downtown Durham here!