Hemsley Lighting Programs - Internship Description

Program Description Application





















“There is the opportunity to work alongside some of the nation’s best lighting designers, study their individual style and technique and observe them work under pressure….This is quite simply the best possible internship in lighting today.” F. Mitchell Dana Professor, Rutgers University





















“There is the opportunity to work alongside some of the nation’s best lighting designers, study their individual style and technique and observe them work under pressure….This is quite simply the best possible internship in lighting today.” F. Mitchell Dana Professor, Rutgers University

The Gilbert V. Hemsley, Jr. Internship In Lighting is open to Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts graduates in lighting design. An open call for entries is advertised in published and online editions of Lighting & Sound America, Live Design, Lighting Dimensions, and ARTSEARCH.com among other sources. The program is not open to those still attending an institution of higher education or wishing to receive academic credit. Interested applicants are asked to submit a resume, a one-page statement of personal goals and anticipated benefits from the internship, and three letters of recommendation. The selection committee for the Internship Program is a fluid mix of board members and lighting designers from our constituent theater companies supplemented by prominent educators and designers from the New York professional community. Past committee members have included such distinguished participants as Alan Adelman, Ken Billington, John Conklin, Penny Jacobus, Jeff Harris, Stan Pressner, Duane Schuler, Ellen Sorrin, Mark Stanley and Ken Tabachnick. The panel reviews each application, interviews the top six applicants (interviews are in early April) and selects one candidate to participate in a nine-month internship with lighting designers from Lincoln Center Festival (June and July), New York City Opera (August through mid-November), and New York City Ballet (mid-November through February). The intern is immersed in all aspects of the lighting design process, including concept meetings, design presentations, technical rehearsals and live performances and is given ample opportunity to interact with costume designers, production managers, choreographers, conductors, and other artists involved in the process of mounting a work for the stage. Opportunities are also afforded to observe and assist lighting designers in a wide range of projects beyond the New York State Theater, enabling the intern to continue to build upon and expand his or her contacts in the field.

An impressive and growing list of aspiring lighting designers have completed the nine-month internship, one per year since 1984. They have come from lighting design programs at Carnegie Mellon University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Missouri-Kansas City and Southern Methodist University among other schools from coast to coast. Most have gone on to pursue successful lighting design careers or work in related fields and all credit the Gilbert Hemsley Lighting Internship with giving them a successful launch in the field.

There is a modest monthly stipend made available to the interns for assistance with living expenses in New York City. More details can be located in the application section.

Internship Application