By TR Robertson
What if you were a young person who loved musical theatre and wanted to be a part of the productions but were not interested in actually being on stage performing? Moonlight Youth Theatre has an answer for you providing a hands-on shadow internship program allowing you to observe, train, and become involved in all aspects of the behind-the-scenes productions of musical theatre. Allison Tester, Marketing & Communications Manager for the Moonlight Cultural Foundation, said this program allows for youth to work “with dedicated professionals at an award-winning theatre organization and gain invaluable experience, build a resume, make connections, and have the opportunity to gain community service hours which are vital for college applications.” She also said each internship will look different for each person involved based on their interests and skills. This Internship Program began in 2016 and is the only program of its kind in North County. It is sponsored by the Vista Education Foundation.
The mentors who work with the young people are working professionals who have been involved in theatre in a variety of ways including acting, stylists and designers. Each show the Moonlight Youth Theatre puts on has a number of interns involved in the production. For this season’s productions “Willy Wonka Jr.” had 17 interns, “The Lightning Thief” had 6 and the upcoming “Seussical the Musical” has 18 interns. One aspect of working as interns, continuing not only with this program but working in other theatres behind the scenes for a career, is the chance to someday join the local branch of the technical theatre union, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, enjoying the benefits offered with this organization. Moonlight Stage Productions has hired several technicians from their internship program.
In an interview with Haley Steele, active in both on and off stage productions for 30 years, she discussed her involvement as an actor, choreographer, stage crew and hair and makeup designer. She is a theatrically trained hair and makeup artist and has worked in theatre all over North County. Haley said, “I have been designing hair, makeup, and wigs throughout Southern California for theatres for over 15 years and also teach classes at local theatres to educate students on theatrical makeup and wigs.” Haley began, in 2022, working with students in the Moonlight Youth Theatre Internship Program teaching a makeup class to students and parents for the production of “Moana Jr.”. For 2023, Haley has assisted with all of the MYT productions. When asked about working with the interns she said, “MYT’s mentorship program is unlike any other I have worked with and is one-of-a-kind in North County. The students have the ability to learn from real working professionals in the theatre industry, specifically in the fields they are interested in.” She also said she teaches the entire process of hair and makeup, including the importance of understanding the plot, characters, and time period of the production. Included in this is a meeting with the director of the show to understand their vision. This process also includes creating and designing each character on a look-sheet and face-sheet to get the designs approved. Haley said the most rewarding part of the Moonlight Youth Program is “the ability to work with amazing students with kids that want to be here and are eager to learn.” She also said the Moonlight Youth Theatre Internship Program provides a place for young people to work behind the scenes in these productions to understand all aspects of what is necessary to make a successful production.
Several of the Moonlight Youth Theatre interns discussed their involvement with the program. Elizabeth Tiernan has been an intern for several years working with 8 productions and Andrea Felix has been involved with Youth Theatre for 4 years, but only as an intern for this year’s “Seussical the Musical”. Andrea is interning as the Assistant Director for “Seussical” and Elizabeth has been working the costume design and helping with hair, wigs and makeup. Elizabeth is 14 years old and a student at Mission Vista High School and Andrea is 15 years old and a student at Carlsbad High School. When asked why they chose to be an intern, Andrea responded “I chose to work as an intern for MYT because I thought it would be a great way to see how things are done behind the table at auditions, rehearsals and more. It was an amazing opportunity to learn more about the world of theatre. I found a new passion for directing.” Elizabeth said, “I don’t like acting and this gives me the opportunity to be a part of theater without being on stage. I’ve learned basic stage directions and what is done behind the scenes. From costuming I’ve learned how to take measurements, how to sew on buttons, how to better use the sewing machines, how to make adjustments, and how to be creative with a budget.” Looking to the future, both of the teens thought working in the theatre was a possibility. Elizabeth said, “I think that it would be really fun to work on shows as a costume or hair and makeup director in the future.” Andrea responded, “I hope that later in my life I can be involved in theatre work other than acting. I would like to be involved with directing or marketing for theatres.” Both Andrea and Elizabeth said the experience of working with the MYT Internship Program has taught them valuable life lessons. They also said the program gave them a strong sense of community, leading to many friendships. From Andrea, “It has been one of the best opportunities I’ve had to learn so much more about theatre and what goes into it.” And from Elizabeth,
“Working at MYT is one of the most valuable things in my life right now. It gives such a strong sense of community, while also teaching such valuable lessons and I’m really glad to have this opportunity to work with MYT.”
It is clear the enthusiasm, maturity and dedication these two teens show for the MYT Internship Program must be infectious to others involved as interns. The life skills alone they learn are well worth any young person becoming involved in what makes theatrical productions a success. The mentors working with these young people are also to be congratulated for the inspiration and education they are passing on, showing what it takes to bring life to a musical production. To become involved in the internship program, go to www.moonlightstage.com, click on Moonlight Youth Theatre and you will find an application that can be printed out and mailed in or filled out online. Some of the positions available for internship are Direction, Music Direction, Choreography, Assistant Stage Management, Sound Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design, Properties Design, Make-up Design, and Orchestra. There is a participation fee required for the program.
The Moonlight Youth Theatre production of “Seussical the Musical” will be on the Moonlight Amphitheatre Stage October 13-15 and 19-21. Tickets are available at the Moonlight web site. Support Moonlight Youth Theatre and see the professionalism these young people bring to the stage both on stage and behind the scenes.
