RHODE ISLAND YOUTH THEATRE

RHODE ISLAND YOUTH THEATRE

Name of Organization: Rhode Island Youth Theatre

Address: 2170 Tower Hill Road Saunderstown, RI

The mission of Rhode Island Youth Theatre is to provide children and teens with opportunities to CREATE, PERFORM, and EXPERIENCE musical theater. RIYT has a Fall, Spring, and Summer Theater school in which students who participate put on a show for their families and the community. RIYT also has a Young PlayRIYTs program where students can create and produce their own musicals.

Ages of youth served: 7-18

Name of Mentor: Ann O'Grady

Hours worked: Monday-Friday 8:30-3:30; Saturday 8:30-2; 7-10 and Sunday 8:30-2

Description of your role and duties: As assistant director, I blocked scenes with student actors, ran lines with students, and assisted the director during the rehearsals. As assistant stage manager, I assured the safety of students, performed scene changes during the shows, and kept production reports. As co-camp manager, I performed Quickbooks for the company, kept track of registration and emergency forms, filled out and gave out ticket orders, assisted the executive director, in all aspects of the shows, and kept production reports.

Description of the culture of the place: No set "office", only rehearsal and performance spaces. Ann O'Grady takes it upon herself to manage most of, if not all of, the company's administrative work. At RIYT, there is (usually) a board of directors, two co-camp managers, one to two directors/choreographers, one to two musical directors (usually one), and a stage manager and assistant stage manager. A few people take on many roles, Ann being one of them, and there is usually a staff meeting after every rehearsal about what has to get done for the show the next rehearsal. No set dress code. Children must dress comfortably in order to act, sing, and dance at all rehearsals; must wear sneakers or dance shoes (no opened-toed shoes at rehearsals).   

Additional Requirements: Depending on where the practices and shows are, travel time may take up to 20 minutes to 45 minutes to commute.

Special notes on process of getting this internship: I got  my internship because I had participated in the company in the past and I wanted to continue to work in the company after I was too old to participate (19 years old). If you are interested in interning for Rhode Island Youth Theatre, please contact me, and I will give you Ann O'Grady's contact information.

Other internship opportunities with this organization: Ann offers unpaid apprenticeships for students who wish to learn different jobs in the company and helps students receive jobs after working on two shows unpaid.

#theater #arts #riyt

Your name: Ryan Ross

Your cohort: Cohort 4

Your email address if others can contact you: ryross25@gmail.com