Technical Theatre

25th ANNIVERSARY SEASON 

June 15 – August 2, 2025
(dates for each position listed below)

The Trentino Music Festival is the premier training and performance festival in the world today. The festival presents 30 performances annually and includes training studios in Dance, Collaborative Piano, Musical Theatre, Opera, Orchestra and Technical Theatre.

Each summer the TMF produces staged performances or operas, musicals, and dance productions in addition to orchestral concerts, and outdoor gala concerts We have an incredibly talented faculty and staff of visiting artists and production professionals, each with an established and celebrated career in their field. This is a high-octane environment made up of top professionals and wonderful young artists. We are looking for people that are independent, inventive, confident, and capable of working in a fast paced festival environment.

INTERNSHIPS – All internships are summer positions for the dates specified under each position; during this time we will require full-time commitment and residence on site. Daytime as well as evening and weekend work will be required, according to rehearsal and performance schedule, but free time will be scheduled to rest and enjoy the beautiful surroundings or to travel to nearby historic cities such as Venice or Verona.

COMPENSATION – All internships include FREE TUITION & HOUSING & A $1,500 STIPEND (inclusive of travel). Local ground transportation is provided from VCE airport on arrival and departure days. Housing is shared with other members of the technical and production team.

LOCATION – Mezzano and Primiero (TN), Italy (nearest airports: Venice VCE, and Treviso TSF).

APPLICATION – To apply send a PDF cover letter, and most recent CV to steve@trentinomusicfestival.org specifying which position you are applying for in the subject line of the email.

Stage Management

MUSICAL THEATRE, (2 positions) – June 15 – July 13, 2025

DANCE, (1 position) – June 22 – July 17, 2025

OPERA (2 positions)  – July 6 – August 2, 2025

Each selected participant will be in charge of the rehearsal room for one production; taking blocking notes, filling out daily reports and liaising with other departments. Under the supervision of the Senior Stage Managers, and in collaboration with the Festival Scheduling and Production departments, they will fulfil other rehearsal-related duties as required, including attendance at stage managers’ and production meetings.

Upon moving to the theatre they will report directly to the Senior Stage Managers, who will assign tasks for technical rehearsals and performances. Experience calling shows using projections is a plus for all applicants. Musical theatre positions should have experience working with body mics.

There will be opportunities for formal and informal Q&A sessions with the festival’s administration and artistic team. Feedback and recommendations will be provided at the end of the festival for all interns.

Production Assistant & Technical Assistants (Sound & Lighting)

PRODUCTION (1 position) – June 28 – August 2, 2025

SOUND (1 position) – June 28 – July 13, 2025

LIGHTING/VIDEO PROJECTION (1 position) – June 28 – August 2, 2025

The production assistant will work closely with and under the supervision of the Festival’s Technical Director, assisting with load-in and load-out, and being assigned tasks for the successful running of staged productions.

The technical assistant with a sound bias will work under the supervision of the Sound Designer and Technical Director. In addition to working on the load-in and load-out of equipment (not exclusively microphones and speakers), they will initially focus on the Musical Theatre Studio productions and the outdoor galas, working backstage during rehearsals and performances, and assisting with setting up microphones and any other tasks assigned. Experience as a board-operator and with body mics is a plus.

The technical assistant with a lighting/video bias will work under the supervision of the Lighting/Video Designer and Technical Director. In addition to working on the load-in and load-out of equipment (not exclusively lights and projections), hanging, focusing etc, they will work as board-operator and assist during lighting sessions and technical rehearsals, and carry out assigned tasks during performances.

As with any fast-paced festival, overlap between technical positions can and will take place. Experience in multiple areas is a plus for all successful applicants.

There will be opportunities for formal and informal Q&A sessions with the Festival’s team of professionals in the different fields of live entertainment, and the interns will be able to follow closely the work of the Technical Director, Designers and Production Manager.

Costumes And Props

COSTUME & PROPS (2 positions) – June 22 – August 2, 2025

Selected participants will work under the supervision of the Costume and Props Coordinator, as well as the Technical Director.

During rehearsals, items for each production will be sourced and worked on as required, within the assigned budget and with a detailed worksheet created. This will be a hands-on experience in how to be resourceful, while staying within an artistic concept and working within fast-paced time constraints. Goals in this phase include managing varied workloads, creating/adapting items requested and managing last minute requests as unexpected curveballs arise.

The intern will work in the theatre, during lighting sessions, technical rehearsals and performances, filling roles backstage as prop and/or wardrobe crew, learning to manage quick changes and so forth. Goals in this phase include the management of load-in and load-out of each production in a rep context, coordinating with Stage Managers, managing of backstage space and working together as a collective backstage crew.

Once each production has finished performances, its props and wardrobe inventory will be catalogued, returned (when rented or borrowed), given to other productions (if needed), or stored. Goals in this phase include learning to catalogue items, closing a production and managing storage space.

This placement is ideal for an experienced student or young professional with good manual ability that wants to learn how a complex multi-production festival works. Basic make-up knowledge is a plus.

Orchestra Management

Orchestra Assistants (2 positions) – June 28 – August 1, 2025

This placement is ideal for someone who is interested in the inner workings of orchestra concerts and staged performances; an interest in conducting and/or orchestra management will be rewarded by working closely with renowned conductors and talented musicians. This is an ideal position for an individual who is looking to gain experience in the fast-paced industry of concert management and festival production. The Orchestra Assistants will have the support of our senior administrative and production staff, but will often need to work independently given the fast-paced and busy nature of the festival.

Formative goals in this internship are: learning to read, interpret and prepare pit plots from different conductors, understanding and finding solutions for rehearsal and performance requests for chamber and orchestra concerts, learning about the intricacies of orchestra scheduling in a busy festival environment and understanding the needs of different ensemble members and conductors.

The successful candidate’s major responsibilities will include – with the support of the senior staff:

• Assisting with basic library duties in preparing for the arrival of the musicians.
• Preparing the orchestra rehearsal and performances spaces before each rehearsal according to the appropriate pit plot, with the relevant number of stands, chairs etc;
• Working closely with the Music Director, conductors, and assistant conductors to ensure all members of the rehearsing or performing orchestra are present and ensure the conductor can arrive and start rehearsals on time.
• Setting up the orchestra pit for each staged performance, including changes from one piece to the next during technical rehearsals and performances;
• Being one of the points of contact for members of the orchestra with any issues, reporting to senior management and escalating when needed.

If the selected participant is interested in conducting or plays an instrument, coaching sessions with our Music Director and guest teaching artists can be arranged at no cost.

Learn what you love in Italy!!