Vantaggi
Centerstage's professional internship program is one of very few in the United States that offers both housing and a stipend for young theater artists. Especially for those of us seeking career experience in production, Centerstage is a supportive environment that gives its interns the real experience of working on a production team. As a costumes intern in 2012-13 and a props fellow in 2013-14, I gained incredible self-confidence and knowledge. Expect to be respected and trusted to have a crucial duty in your chosen department. As a costumes intern, I assisted in the building of period garments and got a firsthand glimpse into their design. As a props fellow, I used every tool at my disposal to produce upholstered pieces and many hand props - all with expert guidance. Working in a place like Centerstage is important experience for anyone seeking a carer in theatrical production.
Svantaggi
Interns should definitely be self-motivated and be communicative with shop heads and mentors. This isn't so much a con about Centerstage itself, but a con of being a theater artist as a whole in that if you don't put effort into networking, a theater internship is less likely to lead to jobs. Full-time work in theater production is competitive and relatively rare, so be proactive. In a location like Baltimore, it's harder than say, NYC to make a living, so if you're in an internship at Centerstage consider how you can make the most of it.