Student Opportunities

This page is regularly updated during the academic year (August–May) with auditions, internships, jobs, and other opportunities that may be of interest to our students. If you would like to list an opportunity or resource, please email tdps@berkeley.edu

Please Note: Listings do not imply endorsement of any organization or individual by the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Whenever possible, we will do basic vetting of opportunities and provide links to information about the sponsoring organizations.

Jump To A Section:

Auditions & Performance Opportunities

Classes & Workshops

Discounted & Free Tickets

Grants, Scholarships, Prizes

Internships & Fellowships

Jobs & Gigs

Publications & Writing

Study Abroad/Away

Volunteering

Auditions & Performance Opportunities

Radical Civics: Call for Student Storytellers

Deadline: Feb. 20, 2025

Radical Civics is a pilot program launching in 2025, designed to foster empathy and bridge-building across campus communities through storytelling, interactive experiences, and practical skill-building. This initiative aims to transform how colleges address intolerance and build stronger community connections across diverse student groups. We are running an in-person event on the Berkeley campus in March that leverages 1–2 student performances followed by a small group discussion. Radical Civics Submission Form

Berkeley Shakespeare Company: Video Auditions for Julius Caesar

Deadline: March 9, 2025

This is a volunteer opportunity in which actors receive 100% of the donations made by audience members. Video submissions are due by 11:59pm on March 9. In-person callbacks will be held on March 15, 7–10pm and March 16, 11am–3pm. Performances will be at Live Oak Theater in Berkeley for the last three weekends of June. BSC Audition Form

World Arts West Dance Festival: Open Call for Artists

Deadline: March 17, 2025

WAWDF seeks to present dance forms from around the world that are rooted in cultural traditions. Dances that reflect all aspects of culture, including sacred or spiritual dances, social dance, secular or improvisational dance, dances from life cycle events, contemporary reimaginings or fusions and innovative work based in traditional dance forms. WAWDF will take place in Fall 2025 in the Bay Area and the theme is “Dance as Health and Healing.” Submissions will be accepted from January 13 to March 17, 2025. Learn more at WorldArtsWest.org

Audition & Casting Resources:

Classes & Workshops

UC Berkeley: Affect Theater Workshop

Register by March 6, 2025

AffectTheater is a research, writing, and devising technique created by Greg Pierotti and Cristiana Giordano. In Affect Theater, we work with non-theatrical source material to construct narrative and non-narrative events for the stage or the page. Our Affect Theater workshop aims at extending this way of writing to other disciplines and their forms of textual production. The workshop will be held on Friday, March 7, 1–5pm in B-4 Dwinelle Hall. Open to UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff. Registration Form

American Conservatory Theater: Summer Training Congress

June 20 – Aug. 1, 2025

For over 30 years, the STC has laid a strong foundation for early-career actors, many of whom have gone on to thriving professional careers in theater, film, and television across New York, regional venues, and beyond. This program also serves as an excellent summer complement to BFA and BA college theater programs. Learn more and apply at ACT-SF.org

Bodies of Empowerment: Free Monthly Dance Classes

Hosted at Joe Goode Annex in San Francisco, BOE strives to provide welcoming and inclusive space where you can explore your favorite ways to move. Our monthly dance classes are taught by master teachers offering their knowledge of a wide range of movement styles and techniques. BOE.Dance

Ongoing Classes & Work Exchanges:

Discounted & Free Tickets

Berkeley Playhouse: $20 Student Rush Tickets

Rush tickets can be purchased for $20 at the door at a performance’s showtime. Tickets are based on availability. A valid student ID must be shown for entry. BerkeleyPlayhouse.org

Berkeley Rep: Under 35 Discount

Half-price tickets for anyone under the age of 35. ID required to be shown at will call before performance, one ticket per one ID; based on availability; available online, by phone, and in person. BerkeleyRep.org

Cal Performances: $10 or Half-Price Student Tickets

Cal Performances (UC Berkeley) offers $10 student tickets to select performances. UC Berkeley students can also get 50% off tickets to any show. For details, visit CalPerformances.org

The Marsh: $10 Student Tickets

Use promo code STUDENT for $10 student tickets to any show at The Marsh (Berkeley & San Francisco). TheMarsh.org

Shotgun Players: $12 Tickets for Ages 25 & Under

Shotgun Players (Berkeley) offers $12 MAD Tickets to anyone 25 and younger. Use discount code MADTIX to reserve tickets to any performance. ShotgunPlayers.org

Grants, Scholarships, Prizes

UC Berkeley: Judith Lee Stronach Baccalaureate Prize

Deadline: March 3, 2025

The Stronach Baccalaureate Prize supports Cal graduates to undertake a public service, creative, or community-based research project in the year following graduation (Fall 2024, Spring and Summer 2025 graduates eligible). Recipients are awarded up to $25,000 for projects that serve the public good and heighten awareness of social issues. Learn more at Stronach.Berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley: Psychedelics in Society & Culture Fellowships

Deadline: March 3, 2025

We invite applications from UC Berkeley-affiliated individuals or groups, including undergraduates, graduate students, lecturers, faculty, and postdoctoral researchers. The BCSP PiSC fellowships provide grants of up to $45,000 to support projects across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Learn more at Psychedelics.Berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley: Summer Undergraduate Research & Fellowship Program (SURF)

Deadline: March 14, 2025

SURF provides $5,000 stipends to students carrying out substantial research projects over the summer months. In addition to funding, SURF fellows are placed into research clusters with near-discipline peers and attend a series of workshops that are intended to support their research process and build community amongst the fellows. Learn more at SURF.Berkeley.edu

Center for Race & Gender: Student Grants Program for Research & Creative Projects 

Deadline: April 15, 2025

CRG welcomes proposals from both undergraduate and graduate students to support research or creative projects which focus on race, gender, and their intersections in a wide variety of social, cultural, and institutional contexts. Learn more and apply at CRG.Berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley Scholarship & Prize Resources:

Internships, Fellowships & Residencies

Bridge Live Arts: Community Engagement Residency

Deadline: March 3, 2025

The Community Engagement Residency offers year-long support (September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026) for historically marginalized dance and movement artists to engage in a creative process within their self-defined communities. The core values of the residency are equity, dialogue, process, artist autonomy, intersecting art-making and activism, and building meaningful relationships among artists. BridgeLiveArts.org

Berkeley Repertory Theatre: Next Generation Fellowship Program

Deadline: March 9, 2025

The Berkeley Rep Next Generation Fellowship offers immersive training in theatre production and arts administration, prioritizing applicants from underrepresented communities. The program focuses on cultivating diverse future leaders in American theatre. Learn more at BerkeleyRep.org

La Jolla Playhouse: Paid Summer Internships

Deadline: March 14, 2025

La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego, CA) is looking for interns in the following departments: Artistic; Company & General Management; General Management; Learning & Engagement; Marketing, Communications, Public Relations; Philanthropy & Special Events; Production Management/Stage Management. Apply at LaJollaPlayhouse.org

Seattle Rep: Professional Arts Training Program

Deadline: March 31, 2025

Apprentices gain technical expertise, leadership skills, and industry connections by working alongside seasoned professionals on Seattle Rep’s renowned productions. In addition to hands-on training in their chosen field, Apprentices have the opportunity to participate in seminars, job shadowing, management and OSHA training, social-emotional learning coursework, and more. SeattleRep.org

Flyaway Productions: GIRLFLY Summer Internship

Deadline: April 1, 2025

We are hiring a college-age intern to support our youth arts program. We want to work with a dance artist who is interested in the intersection of performance and community empowerment. The internship includes administrative, artistic, and interpersonal input. Program dates are July 7 to July 31 in San Francisco. Pay is $25/hr for 100 hours. GIRFLY Internship Description

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival: Summer Internships

Rolling Applications

Are you looking to launch your professional theater career AND serve your community? San Francisco Shakespeare Festival seeks motivated, professionally-oriented students and young people to join our summer intern company. SF Shakes internships are open to anyone 16-25 years old and/or a current student. Our interns are paid to perform various tasks in support of our summer programs. Interns will work an average of 20 hours/week and be paid $18.67/hr. Apply at SFShakes.org

Santa Cruz Shakespeare: Summer 2025 Apprenticeships

Rolling Applications

We provide apprenticeships in acting, administration and marketing, design, directing and dramaturgy, production and stage management. Our 2025 Summer Season includes three main stage performances (Pericles, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Into the Woods) and one Fringe show that features the talents of the apprentices. Learn more at SantaCruzShakespeare.org

New Conservatory Theatre Center: Teaching Artist Apprentices

Rolling Applications

NCTC in San Francisco is seeking emerging theatre artists who would be interested in joining our team and sharing the gift of theatre with children. We are seeking mainly those who have graduated, but upperclassman are also welcome to contact us. Our teaching artist team enjoys the following benefits: pay of $55–$60/hour; Comps to all NCTC mainstages, as well as comps to other SF theatre companies; Coaching with NCTC Education; Collaboration with their peer artists. If interested, contact Will Mattingly, will@nctcsf.org

UC Berkeley Internship Resources:

Recurring Internship/Fellowship Opportunities:

Jobs & Gigs

Berkeley Rep: Seasonal Stage Crew

Rolling Applications

Berkeley Rep seeks seasonal stage crew to join our team for the 2024-2025 season. Under the direction of the stage supervisor, the stage crew is responsible for running scenery and properties show tracks competently and responsibly, leading to a successful, safe, and smooth running of technical rehearsals and shows. Pay: $24.50 per hour. Learn more at BerkeleyRep.org

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: Seasonal Event Staff

Rolling Applications

Join the 2025 Event Staff team and help manage outdoor performing arts programs and private rental events in Yerba Buena Gardens. This is an excellent opportunity to be a part of a thriving artistic and cultural scene in the heart of San Francisco. Located on Mission Street (between 3rd & 4th), Yerba Buena Gardens Festival takes place from May to October and features world-renowned performances of music, dance, theater, poetry, and children’s programs—all FREE to the public. Apply at YBGFestival.org

Lenora Lee Dance: Assistant Stage Manager / Technician

Rolling Applications

We are looking for an experienced stage manager, production assistant or theatre technician to support the load in and shows for our upcoming production of A Bridge To Now. Dates: March 20–31. Exact Hours to be confirmed including evenings and weekends. Pay: $30 per hour, depending on experience. LLD Job Description

A.S.E. Global Bridges: Summer Staff for Youth Dance Programs

Posted: Jan. 30, 2025

A.S.E. is seeking responsible and outgoing individuals to join us as Program Assistants in Connecticut from June 30 to August 9. This opportunity is ideal for students with a passion for performing arts, arts administration, education, or international relations, particularly those with an interest in global languages and cultures. Pay of $3,000 – 3,500, housing and meals, and days off. View the A.S.E. jobs flyer

San Francisco Mime Troupe: Stage Manager for Summer Show

Posted: Jan. 23, 2025

Seeking Stage Manager (AEA or non AEA) for 40 hours/week with pay of $810/week. The script will be developed during the rehearsal process, starting May 26. The show runs July 4 to August 3 with a possible two-week extension. This will be a touring production playing in Bay Area parks and some out of town locations. Please submit resume and cover letter to info@sfmt.org. State in subject line "Name, Stage Manager Applicant."

View SF Mime Troupe's Job Posting

Ever Dance Fitness: Part-Time Group Fitness Instructor

Posted: Jan. 23, 2025

Ever Dance Fitness (San Francisco) is a high-intensity, dance-based workout that combines cardio and strength training to create a joyful experience for all members. We are seeking a dynamic, engaging, and reliable Group Fitness Instructor to lead our 60-minute high-intensity dance-based workout classes. To apply, please submit your resume and a short video showcasing your dance style to hello@everdancefitness.com 

Learn more at EverDanceFitness.com

Marin Theatre: Hiring Dressers & Deck Hand

Posted: Jan. 16, 2025

Marin Theatre in Mill Valley, CA is hiring dressers ($27/hour) and a deck hand ($25/hour) for its upcoming production of Waste. The positions begin the week of January 26 and continue through closing on February 2. Work is full time during tech and previews, then shifts to Wed–Sun, mostly evenings and weekend daytimes. View Marin Theatre's job posting

Silicon Valley Shakespeare: Design & Technical Positions for Spring/Summer 2025

Posted: Jan. 16, 2025

Silicon Valley Shakespeare is seeking talented theatre creatives and professionals for our 2025 FREE Shakespeare in the Park and Sanborn Repertory Season. We're hiring scenic, lighting, and sound designers, board operators, stage and assistant stage managers, wardrobe crew, and more. Learn more at SVShakespeare.org

Contra Costa Civic Theatre: Assistant Directors & Music Directors

Posted: Jan. 8, 2025

Contra Costa Civic Theatre (about 7 minutes from Berkeley) is looking for Assistant Directors and Music Directors for our spring musicals and plays for 7–12 year olds! Assistant Directors are responsible for a variety of duties—this could include leading character work, working scenes with smaller groups of actors, collaborating with the director on staging, leading games and activities, and classroom management. Music Directors are responsible for teaching music to actors (typically unison with limited harmony). This will also include a tech assignment during show week, such as monitoring actors backstage or running lights. Rehearsals take place 1–2 times per week after school. Rate: Starting at $20/hour for teaching as well as prep. Apply by sending a short bio and your resume to arivers@ccct.org

Williamstown Theatre Festival: Seasonal Jobs

Posted: Jan. 8, 2025

Williamstown Theatre Festival (Massachusetts) has a proud tradition of producing world-class theater while nurturing the next generation of theatre professionals. Each summer, we assemble a talented team across various production areas, including stage management, technical direction, costume design, lighting, sound, and more. Jobs tailored to early-career technical theater professionals and students will be posted soon. View the festival job listings

Ongoing Job Opportunities & Resources:

UC Berkeley

Bay Area:

National & International:

Publications & Writing

Blindspot Collective: Call for Musical Theater Submissions

Deadline: Feb. 8, 2025

Blindspot Collective is collaborating with UC San Diego to workshop and present a fully staged new musical. We are seeking submissions from both emerging and established musical theatre writers for our Young Artist Collective, an annual program that supports the development and production of new musicals that resonate with young performers. Selected writers will receive a $2,000 honorarium and have their work developed and produced. Learn more at BlindspotCollective.org

Left Coast Theatre Company: Call for Short Plays

Deadline: Feb. 10, 2025

We are looking for 10-15 min scripts that focus on LGBTQ+ stories for our next staged reading, "He Said, She Said, They Said." Juicy gossip, messy breakups, steamy secrets, hilarious misunderstandings, we want it all!! The 6 or 7 selected scripts will be part of a staged reading in April. Learn more at LCTC-SF.org

Playwrights Realm: Writing Fellowships & Scratchpad Series

Deadline: Feb. 10, 2025

The Playwrights Realm Writing Fellowship Program awards four early-career playwrights in the NYC area with nine months of resources, workshops, and feedback designed to help them reach their professional and artistic goals. The Scratchpad Series aims to address geographic and economic limitations for early-career playwrights from around the United States. Scratchpad playwrights receive a week-long development workshop with top professional collaborators. Learn more at PlaywrightsRealm.com

Summer Playwrights Festival: Call for Submissions

Deadline: Feb. 15, 2025

The Summer Playwrights Festival mounts 20–30 staged readings of new plays in 10 exciting days (July 11–20) at The Road on Magnolia in North Hollywood. The festival is one of the largest staged reading festivals in the nation, with playwrights from across the country and around the world participating. Each reading is followed by a talkback with the playwright, director. Learn more at RoadTheatre.org

Capital Stage: Playwrights' Revolution

Deadline: March 7, 2025

Capital Stage (Sacramento, CA) invites playwrights to submit their original full-length works for staged readings held in July 2025. This new play festival seeks to develop playwrights and innovative storytelling. Submissions are open until March 7, 2025, or 350 max submissions is reached. Learn more at CapStage.org

ReOrient Festival: Call for Short Plays

Deadline: April 30, 2025

Golden Thread Productions seeks submissions for the ReOrient Festival of Short Plays 2026. ReOrient showcases the diversity of voices and aesthetics from the Middle East and its worldwide diaspora in a curated festival of short plays produced biennially in San Francisco. Plays should be 10–30 minutes in length. We welcome submissions from playwrights of Middle Eastern heritage writing about any topic, or playwrights of all backgrounds writing about the Middle East. Learn more at GoldenThread.org

Recurring Writing Opportunities:

Study Abroad/Away

UC Santa Cruz: M.A. in Theater Arts

Deadline: Feb. 3, 2025

UCSC's 12-month M.A. in Theater Arts prepares students for professional achievements in one or more of the following areas: interactive media design and performance, stage design, directing, dramaturgy, performance, performance scholarship, arts management, choreography, technical theater, and stage management. Learn more at Play.UCSC.edu

UC Santa Cruz: Advanced Contemporary Performance Practice within a Global Context (Lyon, France)

Program Dates: June 16–27, 2025

This UCSC Global Seminar allows students to earn 6 UC quarter units while attending the internationally renowned Camping festival in Lyon, France. Students will attend two weeks of workshops with world-renowned choreographers and have the chance to attend peer-led classes with other schools in attendance. View the program website

Other UC Programs:

Volunteering (Arts-Related)

UC Berkeley:

  • CREATE (Creative Residencies for Emerging Artists Teaching Empowerment) invites Berkeley undergraduates to teach classes in visual arts, theater, dance, and/or creative writing to meet the enrichment needs of local schools and community organizations.
  • Dance the Bay strives to make dance accessible for all audiences by providing dance classes for preschool and after school programs, in addition to hospitals and senior homes. 
  • Splash at Berkeley brings local high school students to the University of California, Berkeley for a day of unlimited student-led learning. Participating students take courses in both conventional and unconventional subjects taught by Berkeley students.

East Bay:

San Francisco: