Providing young artists with opportunities to enhance their skills in creativity, artistry, and professionalism through internships and programming.
About the Joanne Woodward Internship Program
Westport Country Playhouse is home to one of the nation’s preeminent theater internship programs. The training of emerging professionals in theater has formed a vital part of our mission since our program began in 1941. Each year, production and theater administration interns are given the opportunity to work directly with senior staff and gain crucial on-the-job experience in a vibrant and innovative professional theater. Weekly intern seminars feature a variety of guest speakers, including Playhouse staff members, visiting designers and artists, commercial producers, and more.
Thank you to the White Barn program of the Lucille Lortel Foundation for their support of the 2026 Woodward Intern program.
For 2026, we are offering the following internships:
- Marketing – The Marketing team at Westport Country Playhouse is responsible for driving ticket sales, nurturing community relationships, and presenting a clear, consistent, and welcoming face to audiences, talent, and the community. Ticket sales represent a vital part of the financial health of the Playhouse, and we employ tactics including paid advertising, geo-location ads, search engine marking, social media, and more. Interns will have the opportunity to work with seasoned marketing and nonprofit leaders, in addition to the opportunity for cultural enrichment from attending and supporting plays, musical and comedy performances. Click here for a full job description.
- Development/Fundraising – The Development Intern serves as assistant to the development department, which encompasses special events and engagement with donors. The Development Intern assists all aspects of the development team, including planning and implementation of donor cultivation events and other fundraising activities, research individual and institutional donor prospects, gift entry and database administration, and assists with administrative functions and maintaining fundraising data for the organization. This position may include evening and weekend work as needed. Click here for a full job description.
- General Production – The General Production Internship serves as an opportunity to be involved in the daily tasks of the production department, which manages all productions and events on the Playhouse stage. The General Production Intern assists all aspects of the production department, including budgeting, contracting, payroll, scheduling, hospitality, and more. This position may include evening and weekend work as needed. Click here for a full job description.
- Artistic & Education – The Artistic & Education Intern provides key support for the Education & Artistic offices. The intern will be responsible for reading play submissions as well as searching out new plays that could be of interest for the Playhouse. Additionally, the intern will assist with education programming and outreach over the summer months. We hope the Artistic & Education Intern will gain experience in how a non-profit theater functions as a creative hub within and for the community. This position may include evening and weekend work as needed. Click here for a full job description.
The program will run from May 26 – August 7, 2026
Stipend: $680 per week (equivalent to CT minimum wage)
These internships are in-person and work will occur at the Playhouse. This application is for all internships offered. Please submit only one application – even if you are interested in applying for more than one department. See individual job descriptions above for more details.
Please note that you must be 20 or older and have a high school degree (or equivalent) to apply. Connecticut residents are encouraged to apply.
Having a car during the internship is highly recommended. Intern housing is approximately 6 miles from the Playhouse and public transportation is difficult and may not always be running after work events.
All Westport Country Playhouse employees are encouraged to be fully vaccinated (including boosters) against COVID19.
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COMPENSATION
Interns will be paid a stipend of $680 per week (equivalent to current minimum wage for the State of Connecticut).
HOUSING + HOURS
Interns reside in provided housing for the length of their term; each intern will have their own room. The intern residence is located approximately six miles from the Playhouse in Fairfield, Connecticut. Transportation to work is the responsibility of the intern. Having a car is recommended as public transportation might not always be running during work hours. Work hours are based on the needs of each department.
HOW TO APPLY
The deadline to apply for the 2026 Woodward Internship program is Monday, March 2, 2026.
Please email your application (found by clicking here), resume, and cover letter to resume@westportplayhouse.org with the subject line: 2026 NAME OF INTERNSHIP Intern Application
Questions?
Please reach out to our education department at resume@westportplayhouse.org.
My time with the Playhouse helped me to feel more confident in myself as an arts administrator, and I had the opportunity to work with industry professionals who were passionate about helping me learn! I was able to work on relevant projects, and was encouraged to bring my own ideas to the table. I loved my time with WCP!
Sydney Wyatt
2020 Marketing Intern
Working for WCP gave me first-hand experience I couldn’t get anywhere else! I started in the first day of my internship by creating specific goals of what I wanted to learn, and the team at the playhouse made sure I reached them. In my development internship, I learned about interacting with donors, board members, and patrons; gained exposure to Tessitura software; and got to do some hands-on event planning, data entry, and customer service.
Kiley S.
2024 Development Intern
This experience of working at the Playhouse is one I will cherish forever. The community was welcoming and I felt at home on the first day! The opportunities, people, and other interns I met during my time here created a family that I can always rely on.
Megan Coatney
2020 Development Intern
Westport Country Playhouse is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.
All Westport Country Playhouse employees are encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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