Literary Trainee

Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC), a Tony Award-winning nonprofit theatre dedicated to producing innovative theatre of the highest quality by American and international playwrights, with a focus on presenting New York, American, and world premieres, invites applications for the Paul A. Kaplan Theatre Management Program’s 2024-25 Early Career Professional Training Track Literary position. For over 50 years, MTC has been the creative and artistic home for America’s most gifted theatrical artists, producing works of the highest quality by contemporary American and international playwrights. MTC is an anti-racist organization that respects and honors all voices, and upholds the values of community and equity.

The Paul A. Kaplan Theatre Management Program provides a unique opportunity to learn about producing not-for-profit theatre both on and off-Broadway through intensive on-the-job training. Program participants are assigned projects and responsibilities that contribute to the day-to-day running of the company. Additionally, support from supervisors and mentors ensure that participants are not only gaining valuable skills, but also receiving continuous advice and feedback.

The experience is further enhanced by an educational seminar series led by the industry experts on MTC’s staff as well as career development coaching with our human resources team. Program alumni go on to work in the industry at theatre companies producing on Broadway, off Broadway, and regionally; in casting offices, production companies, and theatrical advertising agencies; and, in allied arts and cultural organizations across the country.

The Literary Traineeship at MTC offers aspiring literary professionals a robust introduction to the day-to-day operations and planning of a not-for-profit literary office.

The MTC Literary Department reads and evaluates a large volume of scripts each year to consider them for production or development at MTC. With the Artistic Department, we curate a diverse and wide-ranging season of work for MTC’s stages. The Literary Department also puts together our annual spring Ted Snowdon Reading Series, a free, public reading series of new plays in progress; and commissions new plays from many writers each year.

As an MTC Literary Trainee, you will participate in the daily operations of a high speed literary office; read and evaluate scripts; compile daily digests of theatre news and reviews; maintain MTC’s play submissions database; attend weekly department meetings; update tracking calendars of productions happening elsewhere; assist with and attend MTC play readings; cover readings elsewhere on behalf of MTC; share thoughts on MTC readings and productions; and interact with artists and with MTC staff across departments. The Literary Trainee will hone their ability to read and analyze plays through a dramaturgical and producing lens, sharpen their oral and written communication skills, broaden their knowledge of the theater industry and new play landscape within and beyond New York, and obtain insight into how a major theater company programs a season and forges artistic relationships.

We are seeking highly organized, motivated, passionate theatre lovers with a keen interest in theatre administration and new play development, and with strong analytical, writing, and communication skills. Knowledge of Windows, MS Office Suite, and AirTable is strongly recommended.

Previous Literary trainees and interns have gone on to work at other non-profit organizations and agencies, such as Playwrights Horizons, La MaMa, Samuel French, WME, Bret Adams Ltd, and The Gersh Agency, and to complete graduate studies in playwriting and dramaturgy.

All Early Career Professional Training positions are full-time and in-person, 35 hours per week. MTC’s office hours are Monday through Friday from 10am-6pm. Currently, our office is remote-optional dependent upon work priorities on Fridays. There will be some evening or weekend commitments during the season. The standard schedule for most Trainees will be Monday-Thursday from 10am-6pm (with 30-minute unpaid lunch break) and Friday from 10am-3:30pm (with 30-minute unpaid lunch).

These are full-time, non-exempt positions paid at $577.50 per week (35 hours per week at $16.50 per hour). The 2024-25 program will begin on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 and end on or around May 23, 2025.

Trainees are eligible for a benefits package which includes: choice between two group health plans with options for spousal, family, and/or domestic partner coverage; basic life and long term disability insurance; paid time off (sick and personal), voluntary dental, vision, and flex savings plans for healthcare, dependent care, and commuting expenses. Additionally, trainees will have access to MTC’s affinity spaces and receive complimentary tickets to productions at MTC and at other arts organizations.

The application deadline for the 2024-25 Early Career Professional Training track is Monday, May 27 at 11:59pm EDT. All components of the application must be received by this deadline in order for it to be considered complete.

A complete application consists of:

-Select the one or two departments to which you are applying.

-Share general interview availability for weekdays between June 17-July 18.

-Respond to four personal statement questions directly into the application form (no more than 225 words per response):

—What specifically about MTC’s mission, history, or place in the theatre landscape drives you to apply for this program and why?

—How have your educational and/or work experiences led you to be interested in the department(s) you selected?

—What specific knowledge and/or skills do you hope to develop further as a result of on-the-job training in the department(s) you selected? How might this professional development experience benefit your career?

—How do your personal values and life experiences energize your aspirations as an arts administrator?

-Submit a PDF of your résumé.

-Share the names and contact information for two references.

Please visit https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/education/internships/ to learn more about the program and each available trainee position, to register for an open house, and to submit an application.

Manhattan Theatre Club believes that equity, diversity and inclusion should be essential elements of all activity within the organization.  We have made it a priority to create and maintain an environment that is attractive to and supportive of all individuals regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender identity, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, military or veteran status, etc. MTC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.