Jobs
Internships
The Theatrical Residency Program
The Playwrights Horizons Theatrical Residency Program offers excellent practical experience and training for a career in the arts. Being a resident at Playwrights Horizons enables you to work side by side with some of the top professionals in the American theater. Residencies are offered in Directing, Stage Management, Casting, Development, Literary Management, Musical Theater, Marketing and Props.
Because our residents provide invaluable support to the running of our institution and are treated like staff members, a residency at Playwrights Horizons will give you marketable experience in your chosen field as well as professional contacts that will help you get a "foot in the door." We're most proud of the fact that many alumni of our residency program have gone on to become some of the most active directors, writers, composers, and arts administrators in theater. In addition, many current staff members are former residents—including Tim Sanford, our Artistic Director.
in their own words
Listen to an interview with the Playwrights Horizons 2011/12 Season Residents (Marketing, Directing, Literary, Casting, Musical Theater, Development, and Stage Management) discussing their experiences at Playwrights Horizons. A co-production by 2011/12 Season Marketing Resident Lianne DiFabbio, 2012 Summer Marketing Resident Dave Ciano, and 2012/13 Season Marketing Resident Katie Stoppiello.
Upcoming Deadlines:
At this time there are no residencies available for Summer 2013. Please continue to check our website as residencies may open up. We have begun accepting applications for 2013/14 Seasonal Residencies.
The deadline for DIRECTING and STAGE MANAGEMENT residencies has passed. Thank you for submitting your applications, we will be in touch with applicants we would like to interview.
May 1, 2013: Development Communications, Marketing, Musical Theater, Literary, Casting and Props Resident applications due.
Playwrights Horizons, its staff, and the artists who grace its stages, together form a perfect environment for anyone interested in how great theater gets made. During my year as Musical Theater/Artistic Resident, I made impressive connections, got valuable career advice, and witnessed breathtaking art take shape in the rehearsal room.
—- Bobby Lopez, 1997/98 Artistic and Musical Theater Resident, Composer & Lyricist- Broadway: The Book of Mormon; Avenue QSEASONAL RESIDENCIES
Seasonal Directing, Stage Management and Props Residencies may begin as early as the end of July depending on show schedules. Other Seasonal positions are available in Casting, Development, Literary Management, Marketing and Musical Theater and run from late August through May.
SUMMER RESIDENCIES
The availability of Summer Residencies vary year to year depending on the needs of our office. At the present time no residencies are avaiable for Summer 2013. Please check back frequently for updated information on summer residencies.
Playwrights Horizons has been the single most influential institution on my career in the theater. I applied to their Directing Resident program the minute I graduated college because I was interested in developing new American plays, and Playwrights Horizons was the home for the writers I admired and the development of their work. Immediately upon moving to New York, I was sitting in a room with great playwrights, actors and directors, assisting some of the finest directors working Off-Broadway and learning the whole landscape of the professional theater. It was a monumental education. Ten years later I was lucky enough to be asked back to direct a play for Playwrights Horizons, and that play, Circle Mirror Transformation, launched my career. And it all started with The Directing Resident Program.
—- Sam Gold, 2000/01 Directing Resident. Director- PH: Circle Mirror Transformation, Kin, The Big Meal, The Flick; Broadway: Seminar.RESIDENT POSITIONS
Below are descriptions of each of the Playwrights Horizons residencies. When applying, please indicate whether you are applying for a summer or seasonal position. You may apply to more than one residency.
PROPERTIES
The Properties Resident acts as assistant to the Prop Master on six productions constructing props, shopping, performing research, updating paperwork and attending productions meetings and rehearsals. Experience with wood working, fabric, painting, and general crafts encouraged. Driver's license required. Please include samples of work.
Development
*UPDATED* The Development Communications Resident will be an integral member of a six-person development department that raises close to $4M a year, with a focus on communications to various constituents including donors, the Board of Directors and the general public. There will also be substantial administrative duties and some donor event responsibilities. The outreach components will include interfacing with the Playwrights Horizons' marketing department and designing email blasts, Playbill copy, website and social media outreach. Working with databases and executing mailings is also essential. Knowledge of InDesign, Photoshop (or Adobe Creative Suite), iMovie, Microsoft Office and databases required.
Directing
The resident acts as an assistant to the director — performing research and attending production meetings, design meetings, rehearsals, and preview performances. Specific duties vary depending on the nature of the show and the needs of the director. Two positions are offered on a seasonal basis. Residents rotate shows, each working on two Mainstage productions and one Sharp Theater production. Two full-time seasonal positions are offered. This residency is not available during the summer.
Stage Management
The resident acts as a second assistant to the Equity Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager throughout each show's four week rehearsal period. Common duties are tracking properties, blocking, scheduling, script changes, prompting, etc. During technical rehearsals and the run of the show, the resident works backstage. Residents rotate shows, each working on two Mainstage productions and one Sharp Theater production. Two full-time seasonal positions are offered. This residency is not available during the summer.
Casting
The resident acts as an assistant to the Casting Director and Casting Associate, helping to coordinate and run auditions. Specific duties include communicating with agents and artists, preparing audition materials, maintaining casting files, and attending casting meetings, readings and plays. This residency begins in early August.
Literary Management
In addition to general administrative tasks, the resident assists the Director of New Play Development and Associate Literary Manager in evaluating and responding to script submissions, maintaining the playwright database, coordinating in-house readings, and scouting readings and productions.
Marketing
The Resident will be an integral member of a five-person Marketing team with responsibilities in all areas of subscription and production marketing campaigns including: creating interactive media and printed materials; assisting with target market research, social networking initiatives, and special events; coordinating grassroots efforts; communicating with subscribers, universities, merchants, and NY theaters; and spearheading other projects.
Musical Theater
The resident assists the Director of Musical Theater with evaluating musical theater submissions, coordinating in-house musical readings, scouting readings and productions, and general administration of the musical theater office. One part-time seasonal position is offered. This residency is not available during the summer.
Playwrights Horizons was my first open door. My duties included two stints as an assistant director, first on Keith Reddin's HIGHEST STANDARD OF LIVING, followed by Alfred Uhry's DRIVING MISS DAISY. Andre Bishop was in his office with Wendy Wasserstein or Chris Durang and Ira Weitzman asked me to write coverage on not one but three un-produced Sondheim musicals. The lessons and inspirations of that year continue to be foundational in my life and work to this day. It was my first artistic home.
—- Christopher Ashley, 1986-87 Directing Resident. Artistic Director, La Jolla Playhouse; Director- Broadway: Memphis; XanaduHOW TO APPLY
If you would like to apply for a seasonal residency, please send your resume and cover letter to:
Meg Whitaker Shelly
Playwrights Horizons
416 West 42nd Street
New York NY 10036
Or via e-mail to mshelly@phnyc.org.
At this time we are only accepting applications for Casting, Properties, Development, Marketing, Literary Management and Musical Theater. Thank you for your interest!
For me, a career in the theater was something I hadn't even envisioned as a possibility. But I can clearly remember sitting in my rolly chair in the corner of the literary office of Playwrights, watching my bosses doing these jobs I didn't even realize existed. You could actually make a living reading and thinking critically about plays. It may seem silly, but that concept blew my mind and expanded my perception of what was possible. On top of that, I spent the year receiving a rigorous theater education.
—-Kim Rosenstock, 2003-04 Literary Resident. Playwright- Tigers Be Still; Fly By Night; 99 Ways to F*** a Swan; TV: New GirlFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for Seasonal Residencies in Stage Management and Directing is April 1, 2013. All other Seasonal Residency applications are due May 1, 2013.
I'm interested in multiple Residencies. Can I apply to more than one?
You may express interest in more than one residency in your cover letter. However, each residency varies a great deal, and we find that the most successful applicants are ones who find themselves drawn to a specific area of arts administration or production and are able to articulate their suitability for one specific Residency.
Are the residencies full-time?
Yes. On average, residents work 5 days per week during normal business hours (10am-6pm). When involved with a show, production residents work the 6 day rehearsal/ performance schedule.
Are the residencies paid?
Yes. Positions pay a $35 daily stipend. Full time residents will also receive a monthly metro card. Other benefits include numerous free or discounted tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
Can I work a second job to support myself?
Occasionally residents find other ways of supporting themselves throughout their residency outside of office hours (10am-6pm) or their rehearsal schedule. Strong consideration should be given to the financial implications of being a full-time resident. Production positions may allow time for outside work during the down periods between shows.
I'm not from New York. What about housing?
Unfortunately, we cannot offer housing to our residents. Past residents have found affordable housing by staying with relatives or friends, finding a share, house-sitting, etc. If you don't have housing prospects already, you should be prepared to deal with it before committing to a residency.
Is prior experience required?
We look for people who have demonstrated a passion for working in the arts and who are at a point in their careers/education to strongly benefit from the experience we offer.