Katie Becker, Chicago
Coe College graduate, acting intern '07
The acting internship with RTSF provides a smooth transition from the academic to the professional world. Within two months, I became part of a professional company and, more importantly, part of a theatrical community. I met ardent lovers and supporters of the arts, contacts that I will cherish throughout my career. My technical skills sharpened my work in the costume shop, my knowledge of the theatre world expanded through conversations with company members and the intern classes offered, and my approach to acting became more professional. I am indebted to Riverside Theatre for my positive experience this past summer.

Mary Bryant
University of Iowa graduate, acting intern '06
I gained invaluable experience through my internship with Riverside's Shakespeare Festival. The various intern classes (ranging from Scansion to Dramaturgy to Taxes to Suzuki method) were extremely helpful. The professional company was a joy to work with, and I found my understudy assignment particularly rewarding.  I learned so much from the professional actor I was understudying, whether I was observing her as she worked, or talking with her about the character and language. I would highly recommend this internship to anyone who wants to wet their feet in the professional world of theatre.

Marianna Caldwell
St. Ambrose University, acting intern '06
My experience with the Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival not only built my skills as an actor, but as a costume designer, company member, marketer, and all around artist. The company made our work as interns seem invaluable, and went out of their way to encourage and help us. Working on Mainstage productions with professionals was an incredible opportunity for a young actor, and a great doorway into how the professional world runs. The RTSF internship is a well-rounded experience for becoming a well-rounded artist.

William Callahan
Fordham University, acting intern '05
My weeks interning at Riverside Theatre were some of the most formative of my (short) career as an actor. I quickly learned to appreciate the fact that as an intern I could spend so much time watching amazing and experienced actors rehearse and collaborate on the production. This time observing was as gratifying as the time I spent on stage. I think that the unique position interns are in - as a vital part of both the professional company and also the smaller intern company - allows you the best of both those positions. Lastly, the staff and company Riverside assembles are, besides being so professional and as hard-working as the interns, always friendly and happy to talk and offer help.

Joseph Curnutte, NYC actor
Graduate of Cornell College and Actors Theatre of Louisville Apprentice Program, acting intern '04
The RTSF internship gave me my first Shakespeare experience. And a joyous one it was. From watching how the professional actors prepare to take on their respective roles, I learned the discipline that it takes to be a success. Through our weekly intern classes, I found techniques elemental to the performance of Shakespeare - we covered a myriad of subjects from text analysis to clowning. Our understudy assignments allowed us to delve more deeply into Shakespearean character study. I feel that by working diligently to accomplish my responsibilities, I gained valuable experience and grew significantly as a young artist. 

Adam Jones
Kirkwood Community College, costume intern '05
My experience with RTSF is one I highly cherish. I met many talented and warm-hearted individuals whom I sincerely hope I have the pleasure of working with again. I was treated with the same respect and dignity every company member received. Most importantly, everyone at RTSF is a member of a huge
loving family, and you make many new friends.

Danielle Karczewski
University of Iowa, acting intern '07
This internship provides you with the rare opportunity to watch, listen and learn constantly. Being around the professional company taught me so much about not just the art and craft of acting, but also the business of networking and selling yourself in the theatrical world. More than anything, this is an internship for people who are committed to doing theatre for the rest of their careers and want to optomize their skills in order to make that happen.

Dale Mackey
Grinnell College, acting intern '06
The internship program is so thoughtfully constructed and carefully executed that I was constantly impressed with the level of respect and trust the interns were given.  The professional company members are kind, appreciative, and always willing to give up their valuable time to talk, answer questions, and offer feedback and support.  As an intern, I was involved with almost every facet of the festival this summer and so I was able to see the material consequences of my hard work on a daily basis.  My host family added another amazing layer of support and growth to my stay.  As I take stock of my time here, I realize that I’m leaving with a strong sense of accomplishment, several strong friendships, invaluable knowledge and experience, and the conviction that I am meant to pursue a career in theatre.  I can only hope that I continue to work with artists as kind, professional, devoid of ego, committed to their work, talented, generous, and all-around exceptional as those I’ve encountered at Riverside.

Ryan Meharry
University of Missouri-Kansas City, acting intern '05
I had always heard that most theatre companies treat their interns as indentured servants. Riverside must be one of the rare exceptions. There was not a single moment where I felt overworked and/or underappreciated. The way we interns were valued as highly everyone else made for a fantastic working atmosphere. My Riverside internship not only bolstered my fledgling resumé, but also rekindled my desire for a life in the theatre. This was hands-down the best experience I've had in theatre at any level.

Carla Pasker
University of Northern Iowa, stage management intern '06
The experience I had with Riverside during the summer of 2006 was life changing and unique. It gave me the opportunity to follow and learn from professionals in my field and experience first hand, the job. Not only did I learn the technical aspects of stage managing . . . but I learned valuable life skills. These skills included patience, confidence in my abilities, and making quick, important decisions. I would recommend this experience to others because of the skills learned and opportunities for growth that you cannot learn in a lecture class or textbook.

Amanda Petefish-Schrag
Northwest Missouri State University Theatre Professor, directing intern '03
I really cannot say enough good things about the directing internship at RTSF. It was the perfect completion to my MFA work in that it allowed me the freedom to practice my craft while being guided by wise and experienced professionals who not only aided my development while at RTSF, but have frequently offered professional advice and support in the years following my internship. The value RTSF places on educating young professionals is quite extraordinary and is reflected in every detail of the Festival from the interns’ schedules to the experienced and extremely generous company members they bring in every year. Now that I am teaching college theatre, I have no hesitation in telling my own students to take advantage of the fantastic opportunities available to them as RTSF interns. It is truly an environment that fosters healthy growth for young artists by challenging them creatively and respecting all that they have to offer.

Ryan Seifert
Winona State University, technical intern '07
My internship was a great chance for me to work with a professional company. I got the opportunity to watch many great people work. I learned a great deal from being able to watch the lighting designer work and see his process. I think that this summer has given me a good idea of what to expect in the professional world. The intern classes were very exciting because individuals who were already working in the business taught them. The knowledge that they shared with us will be helpful in starting my own career. The outdoor space was also wonderful to work in.

Bethany Woodard, Chicago
Knox College graduate, directing intern '07
The directing internship with RTSF was an amazingly positive experience, as well as an excellent professional credit. Not only did I get to learn by watching multiple directors craft multiple projects, I was given the opportunity to work directly with cast members to help shape certain scenes and characters. I was immediately treated with respect, trust and eventually friendship by the company members. These remarkable professionals created a safe environment in which to learn by doing. My time at Riverside has helped me make contacts from around the country, and to be more aware of regional theatre at large. I would strongly recommend the internship to anyone committed to their own education in the art of directing.

Jeff Worden
University of Iowa, acting intern '05
Not only is the Intern program a great way to actually get your foot in the door of an Equity playhouse, but to actually be around working actors from New York, Chicago, and elsewhere was a whole new learning experience in itself. The amount of the business and craft that you can soak up is just fantastic. I would suggest this internship program to anyone who is seriously considering a career in the theatre - you just can't let learning opportunities pass by and think you can succeed in a field like this.

Amanda Ytzen
Northwestern College graduate, costume intern '04 and costume shop manager '06
Before this experience, I had the dream of becoming a theatre professional. Now at the end of the summer, I am able to look back and see all I have accomplished. I have not only improved my craft but also learned that working in theatre takes more than skill. It takes perseverance and love.