Theater & Arts Internship Support Program
Supporting youth access to theater, performing arts, and community-based arts internships.
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Program Overview
Creating real-world access to theater and arts internships
The FRI Theater & Arts Internship Support Program is a pilot summer initiative that helps high school students gain real-world experience in theater, performing arts, and community arts.
FRI supports selected theater nonprofits, community arts organizations, and independent artists through an Internship Hosting Grant of approximately $500 to $1,000 per internship position. The grant helps cover mentorship, supervision, training, project coordination, and educational programming.
FRI also supports student recruitment, application review, and internship matching, connecting students with opportunities in theater production, performance, stage management, arts administration, marketing, community outreach, design, directing, playwriting, and event coordination.
Where We Work
Connecting students with vibrant regional arts communities
The program will initially focus on Greater Boston, the DMV area, and New York City, three regions with strong theater ecosystems, nonprofit arts organizations, community arts spaces, and independent creative communities.
By starting in these areas, FRI aims to connect students with meaningful arts experiences while supporting smaller organizations that need additional resources to host and mentor interns.
In the future, FRI hopes to expand into more cities and artistic fields, building a broader regional arts access network.
How It Works
A structured pathway from host application to student showcase
The program follows an application-based model. Eligible hosts may include theater nonprofits, youth arts organizations, community theater groups, educational arts organizations, independent theater artists, directors, designers, producers, and playwrights.
Selected hosts submit an internship description, mentorship plan, student learning outcomes, timeline, and number of available positions. FRI reviews applications based on educational value, mentorship quality, inclusivity, feasibility, student safety, and community impact.
After host selection, high school students may apply to specific positions, share relevant experience or portfolio materials, and participate in a matching conversation or interview. During the summer, students work with host organizations or artists, receive mentorship, contribute to real projects, and document their learning through reflection or portfolio work.
Expected Impact
Building a more accessible and sustainable arts ecosystem
The program is designed to support student growth, nonprofit capacity, and community arts access.
Students gain hands-on experience, mentorship, creative confidence, and exposure to possible pathways in theater and the creative industries. Host organizations and independent artists receive support for supervision, training, and project coordination, helping them expand youth engagement and community outreach.
At the community level, FRI hopes to strengthen local nonprofit arts ecosystems, encourage collaboration, and make arts education more accessible.
