“I didn’t know what to expect on my semester away in NYC and I didn’t know if I was ready for what I would learn, but interning at NPTC was exactly what I needed. I was able to experience different parts of the theatrical process, from table reads to fully realized stage readings, and the different roles it takes to make these things happen, from assistant producer to light board operator. I’m at the very beginning of my career and the lessons I learned at NPTC and the connections I made are extremely valuable to me. I learned to be a more confident person and to know the worth of my art. As an intern, I felt like I was a priority and that my learning and my gaining experience was important. My time as an intern at NPTC will stay with me through the rest of my professional career, but most importantly my life.”

“My time at New Perspectives as an intern has been an invaluable experience. I was entrusted with organizing the applications for the Women’s Work Short Play LAB and being the main point of contact for both the applicants and the evaluators. I even got to be an evaluator myself. I have received countless lessons and knowledge from Melody throughout the semester. She is someone I look up to as a woman in the theatre industry and I credit her with the amount of confidence I have gained in the past three months. I had the honor of meeting and working with the League of Professional Theatre Women and their Gilder/Coigney International Award winner, Petrona de la Cruz, and the pleasure of being a Production Assistant for New Perspectives’ joint production of A Walk in Yaya’s Garden with Blackberry Productions. I met so many incredible people, especially my fellow interns and Penny Deen, a NPTC Program Assistant, who made me feel endlessly supported and fostered an environment where we can all be and bring voices to women in theatre.”

“As a young adult sort of wandering around the theater community, finding New Perspectives gave me a clear path of where I can go with my career. My time at New Perspectives helped me realize what a career in theatre can look like, and how to make theatre with the goal of positive social change. I got to participate in everything, from sitting in on rehearsals to running light cues to creating social media content, to running front of house, and much more! Now, I can view and create theatre in a socially conscious way, while observing every aspect of the production.”

“ My experience at New Perspectives introduced me to the business side of the entertainment industry as I took on assignments where I communicated with companies, such as the New York Times and Nonsense NYC, to get them to advertise the Silver Linings Festival— which I had the opportunity to be an Assistant Stage Manager and do lighting cues. I also developed essential skills such as attention to detail and how to communicate with others in a professional setting thanks to Melody’s leadership.”

“My summer at NPTC was an extremely valuable and educational experience. I was mainly assigned to the On Her Shoulders database, where I researched, compiled, wrote, and edited biographies of women who wrote plays throughout history (from 900-1970). I enjoyed this work immensely; as a Theatre and English major attending a historically women’s college, I was eager to learn more about women’s crucial contributions to dramatic history. I also had the opportunity to sit in and assist with one of the short plays featured in the Women’s Work Short Play Festival, Silver Linings, designing some sound components and tracking script changes. Melody is incredibly generous and trusting with the interns. Over the course of the summer, I was repeatedly encouraged to voice my thoughts and opinions about the production process and even contribute to the development of events for the League of Professional Theatre Women. NPTC is nurturing, without holding your hand. It is a place, especially for young women, you feel confident speaking your mind and know it will fall on receptive ears. ”

“During my internship at New Perspectives, I felt immediately embraced in a supportive environment where I soon learned that taking on multiple projects and immersing myself in new experiences was the norm. While I came in anticipating I would only participate in work related to one aspect of theatre, I am beyond grateful that I received limitless opportunities to get involved in marketing, content creation, and sitting in on the rehearsal process. Even when a task felt daunting or unfamiliar, I received endless support and guidance from those around me to try something new and view each
opportunity as a learning experience that would teach me valuable skills I could use beyond my internship. Even as an intern, I felt a part of the organization as I was encouraged to engage in every opportunity theater and NPTC had to offer.”

“Interning at New Perspectives Theatre Company has been such a transformative experience for me. I have learned so much about theatre history, and the importance of putting yourself into situations where you can absorb new knowledge about the world. As someone who has much passion for the creative arts and psychology, I was able to foster a deeper relationship between the two through the work that I was entrusted with. I learned to become a better speaker, writer, and advocate for myself, through the many different assignments I would be tasked with. The team at New Perspectives is phenomenal, and I never once felt like I was on a one-person team; the relationships I have been able to build during my time at New Perspectives is something I will never forget.”

“Interning at NPTC for the summer was overwhelming beyond expectations, offering a comprehensive view of the theater industry.I am thankful for receiving and experiencing opportunities to assist and costume design on our assigned productions, diligently work with the artistic and technical teams, and provide additional production support for the entire company. I also was given the chance to dive into the business world of the industry by focusing on marketing for NPTC. Without hesitation, I would highly recommend this theater internship to others, emphasizing the comprehensive experience that fosters technical skills, personal growth, and a deep appreciation for the creative process.”

“Working at NPTC has been such a great opportunity. I explored stage management and was able to stage manage a one woman play for the One Act Festival at Chain Theatre and assistant stage manage the 2023 Meganne George Women’s Work Short Play Festival.
I met many skilled theatre professionals and have been granted with so many opportunities outside of the internship because of my time with NPTC. The internship is very hands-on and Melody is so wise. She will help you grow not only as a young professional but also as a person. I am so grateful for my time with the company and the other interns. I am excited to see what is next for me in theatre! ”

“My internship at New Perspectives Theatre Company has truly been a life changing experience. My internship was like a buffet where I could get a taste of the various aspects of theatre and production. What I appreciated the most was that one could craft the internship to their interests by planning and pursuing projects of their design. Thanks to the generosity of Melody, I was able to perform a staged reading of my first full-length play at the theatre. Furthermore, thanks to the rich network of the NPTC, the interns were able to see different productions and meet many talented people in the industry. The internship was truly a holistic and unique experience that enriched my understanding of theatre. After a summer at New Perspectives, I have the tools, the community, and most important of all the confidence to pursue theatre as a career. Thank you very much!”

“My internship at New Perspectives Theatre Company was an incredibly enriching, demanding and learning experience. I mainly worked on transcribing some of the recordings of Theatre from the Streets and was assigned to be present and assist in the rehearsals of one of the plays for the Meganne George Women’s Work Short Play Festival. Nonetheless, I also got the opportunity of further exploring and assisting in different aspects of theatre that, as an actor, I rarely gave myself the chance of diving into. One of the aspects I mostly appreciated about NPTC, was how I was never limited to one specific task during my internship; in fact, I was constantly encouraged to explore other areas of theatre-making that would remind myself of the importance of collaboration in theatre spaces. In addition to the work I carried out throughout my summer at NPTC, I made beautiful connections with the other interns who possess a deep passion for the arts and were always open to embark on any task with eagerness. Lastly, I had the honor of being part of an artistic community that reinstated my love and appreciation for theater and those who recognize and cherish its intangible value.”

“While working for New Perspectives, I was entrusted with many important and interesting tasks. I worked as a Production Assistant for our production of How to Melt Ice, which meant I was heavily involved in communicating with the actors and got to participate in design meetings. Besides this, I worked on our On Her Shoulders database, which serves as an archive of female playwrights. I did research, wrote biographies, and added them into the database. From these tasks, I learned so much about the industry. I also learned a lot from Melody, who is always willing to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with the interns. She is such a valuable resource to learn from for young people looking to pursue a career in theatre. I would highly recommend this internship to anyone interested in theatre, as I know NPTC ensures that their interns leave with more industry knowledge than they came in with.”

“My time at New Perspectives helped me understand the depths of theatre at the intersection of social change. I worked as a production assistant for the Women’s Work Short Play Lab and through this opportunity, I got to see female playwrights and directors showcase their work and embrace controversial topics like climate change, racism, sexual assault, and the end of the world. Through the program, Theatre from the Streets, I witnessed impactful discussions about artistic censorship and authoritarianism in countries like India, Venezuela, and Palestine. Both of these experiences showed me how theatre has a deeper purpose when it’s spreading awareness and telling the story of those who are silenced. So, thank you New Perspectives for giving me perspective on how I want to serve my community through my art form. Thank you Melody for always telling it like it is and for instilling confidence within me. Thank you to my fellow interns who I loved spending time with and learned from tremendously. And thank you to everyone I had compelling conversations with - I’ve grown because of it. ”

“Through this internship I was responsible for assisting in all areas of production design for New Perspective Theater Company’s Summer 2022 Women’s Work Short Play Festival. Tasks as the Assistant Production Designer included: being the lead scenic paint charge, drafting and creating the unit set for all 6 short plays, focusing and hanging lights, establishing interpersonal relationships with directors and stage management teams, programming and running sound and projection cues in qLab, organizing and taking inventory of all costume and prop pieces, and being an active member of all production meetings. Throughout my summer I learned how to excel in all of the responsibilities I was given through effective and efficient communication, as
well as gain confidence as both a woman and female bodied person beginning their career in the theater industry.”

“My experience at NPTC was overall very positive and beneficial to me. I was a general intern and helped out with Theatre From The Streets, the 30th Birthday Party, and the Short Play Festival. I was able to see how a small nonprofit theatre is run behind the scenes that involved not only putting on shows but also communicating, listening, and working with other people. Being at NPTC helped me as someone who wants to go into technical theatre by allowing me to be involved with the productions such as the Short Play Festival and learning about communication between theatre staff. I also was able to learn how to be more assertive and non-apologetic. ”

“My internship at New Perspectives was an invaluable experience that I highly recommend to anyone interested in a career in theater. Melody is an attentive mentor who takes a personal interest in teaching and advising her interns; I really appreciated the opportunity to learn from such an accomplished industry professional who is so knowledgeable about every part of the field. Some aspects of my internship included writing and editing playwright bios for the On Her Shoulders database, assisting during rehearsals and Lab meetings, and being a production assistant and stage direction reader for the May Mini Festival. These helped me gain research, writing, and graphic design skills, as well as taught me about playwriting and directing techniques. New Perspectives is a theater company that truly actualizes its values through its meaningful programs and art, and I am so grateful for my educational and empowering internship that I had there!”

“In my time at NPTC, I served as the apprentice for the Women’s Work Play Labs, created social media posts for Instagram and Facebook, and edited videos to be shown at some events NPTC was participating in. As a young writer, I appreciate being brought into the development process of the diverse new works of the members of the NPTC labs. Seeing how a variety of writers work was inspiring and informative to me. I gained new skills in social media and developed more confidence as a video editor. I appreciated the conversations I had with Melody and my fellow interns debriefing the lab meetings. I felt like we had some great dramaturgical conversations. I liked having the freedom to be creative with my video project and social media posts. I felt respected and trusted while working for NPTC.”

“The best parts of my internship were making collages, getting to know colleagues, and meeting new people. Thank you for making this whole experience possible.”

“New Perspectives has changed my life. My time here has been exciting, productive & insightful. The tools I have learned here, specifically from Melody, I will carry with me for the duration of my career. I was fortunate enough to be involved in many projects in different roles and through these opportunities have grown as a theatre artist and person. Using theatre as a tool for social change is important, and not done enough. There are always many things to be worked on, that tend to be very diverse from each other, but intriguing and educational. Here the skills to combine activism and performance are gained. It was the perfect balance of hard-work & insightful, light-hearted banter. I will forever be thankful for my time in the NPTC family. ”

“From the start, NPTC’s grit, honesty, and sincere shared support touched and moved me. The company develops and presents timely new works but without superficial sensitivity, as can sometimes be the case in similarly-driven spaces. NPTC acknowledges the real challenges faced by women in theatre and tackles them headstrong, with strategies and devotion developed over decades inside the industry. Melody once said: “Think like a man, to be able to write and produce like a woman,” which resonated with me deeply and I’ll carry onwards. In order to even start conversations around justice, we’ve got to weasel into the rooms first. I remember leaving that day already feeling inspired, excited, and compelled.”

“It felt exciting to have a live show going on and having everyone play their own part to make it successful was great to see. After having this experience I would be interested in possibly pursuing another opportunity at a theatre company as a behind the scenes person making sure everything goes smoothly. ”

“As an NPTC intern, I was introduced to everything. From how to format a word document to how to be the light board operator, I was able to learn a variety of skills that will not only help me in the theater, but also in any other professional environment. Therefore, my time at New Perspectives has begun to build the ever important foundation it takes to survive in any space that demands focus and skill in order to succeed. I can truthfully say that my time at New Perspectives reinforced my passion for the arts and built my confidence in expanding my skill into larger projects and more courageous career goals. Thank you, New Perspectives, for taking the time to nurture young, passionate teens into the ever growing, ever changing theater.”

“Having the chance to intern at NPTC was absolutely fulfilling for me as a business major. In my major, it often lacks creativity and the arts that I so desperately seek, so by being able to combine my creative hat with social media along with the business-y side with administrative work, I felt like I had the perfect balance I needed and clarified what I truly want to do with my life. ”

“During my time as the artistic intern at NPTC, I was able to work on the Short Play Lab where I frequently read play applications, put in my feedback, and was an active observer in the virtual director and playwright meetings. I found myself under the wing of Melody and Catharine and am so grateful to consider them both as mentors. After graduating from college with a passion for playwriting, I was looking for theater experience but left NPTC with so much more. I learned the value of having an artistic community, what it means to stay organized and hustle in this industry, and met unique and gifted individuals I hope to stay connected with.”

“My internship with NPTC was such a great experience. I was able to help produce six readings of new plays by women playwrights for the Women’s Work Short Play Lab as well as research about past women playwrights for the On Her Shoulders Program. I gained valuable experience in stage management and social media coordination, both of which are important for my future career goals. It was really refreshing to be surrounded by women and to learn from them in so many different ways and I was able to make lasting relationships with people who I look forward to working with in the future. Thank you so much NPTC.”

“As someone planning to pursue a career in the arts, the internship was a great opportunity for me to understand how a non-profit theatre is run. The connections I made within and outside of NPTC were the most enriching part of the experience. I really felt my skills were put to use and I learned even more, especially since it was an entirely remote experience. Melody and Catharine were both supportive and encouraging of the other interns and I to take on the challenges of professional level work in a virtual theatre setting.”

“My experience at NPTC as a virtual summer intern was immersive, educational, and enriching. As a student focused on playwriting, the ability to work with female playwrights developing their work was invaluable. I am so grateful to Melody and Catharine for crafting this summer for me and the other interns despite our inability to be in-person in the office. I was given a variety of tasks, including video editing, social media management, and operational communications and, although at times it was challenging to take on so much, the encouragement and support I received from every member of the NPTC team inspired me to push myself and keep going. I will forever cherish the opportunity I had to expand myself as a theatre-maker and a professional.”

“At New Perspectives Theatre Company, I was given an opportunity to see theatre from a new light. I found the company online searching for a potential place to intern for my senior experience, and out of all the companies I found NPTC and their mission statement struck out to me the most. During my time interning I was given many different opportunities to work with new people, learn about administrative theatre in a way I hadn’t expected, work hands on with different projects and programs. For example, I was given the opportunity to set up stage lights, and to run cues during a showing of On Her Shoulders which I had also been working on. Along with learning about administrative and technical theatre, my mentor, Ms. Melody Brooks, gave me tips on how to better my presentation skills. We had discussions on women’s history, their impact on theatre and how it is very unknown. I had a goal during my internship at NPTC, to grow out of my comfort zone and to expand my views on the world and because of my experience with NPTC I was able to reach them and leave with a new perspective. ”

“My time working as an intern at New Perspectives was an experience I will cherish for a long time. Surrounded by dedicated interns and Melody as a mentor, I got a detailed look into the day to day of a successful theater company. The tasks I was given made it clear that, as an intern, both my time and ideas were valued like that of a real employee. Between fulfilling projects such as video production and reworking NPTC’s social media, I was able to receive incredible advice from Melody regarding acting and the world of theater. The passion of all those who keep New Perspectives on its feet is contagious, and there is a feeling permeating the space of passion for not only creating theater but of activism and social change.”

“Being an intern at NPTC heavily influenced my future career in theatre. Helping to present the upcoming Women’s Work Short Play Festival has been an incredible inspiration for the kind of meaningful work I hope to complete in the future. My passion for performing arts has been amplified, fueled by my newfound admiration for purposeful theatre like that of NPTC. I’ve learned that collaboration and communication is vital when it comes to producing a show in a small theatre company. The effort required to manage a theatre company is far more extensive than I originally thought before my internship. Evidently, working together as a cohesive unit produces the ideal product! By working as an intern at NPTC, I was able to utilize the effectiveness of collaboration by working with my fellow talented interns!”

“I worked in New Perspectives Theatre Company in the summer of 2019, right before my senior year started, and it was a tremendously beneficial experience. Personally, I never knew what career I wanted to pursue, but theatre and music were always passions of mine. However, I did not have the confidence nor the skills to go forth in such an industry. This internship showed me that there are numerous careers in theatre and in music, and exposed me to various passionate and determined people in this business. Working here helped me realize what I may want to do in the future, which is very beneficial to my senior year, as I am currently applying to colleges. I also received great friends, from all over the country, and of different ages and backgrounds, most of whom helped me in this journey to find what I am passionate about pursuing in the future.”

“Working every day in a theatre allowed for full exposure to the professional world of theatre, all under Melody’s guidance, who provided invaluable advice and lessons. I feel forever grateful to her tutelage, and dedication to my learning. She pushed me, and challenged me, while maintaining her supportive and welcoming air. Melody’s dedication to creating an inclusive creative space shown through all of her choices and actions throughout the summer. The layout of the summer also allowed for the setting of her instruction to grow and change. My internship started with a table read for the annual Women’s Work Short Play Festival, and continued through the rehearsal process of Zeno Obi Constance’s The Ritual. From there, NPTC began rehearsals for the festival, Approval Pending, and my work continued through the final performance of the festival. This meant I got to see days in the office, rehearsals, tech rehearsals, dress rehearsals, shows, strikes, and everything in between. Melody also ensured I was not static in my duties throughout the summer. For The Ritual, I worked as the Assistant Stage Manager, and operated the sound for the show. For Approval Pending, Melody recognized I had obtained a more in-depth level of experience in NPTC, and assigned me as production coordinator, wherein I worked to organize the relations between the intern team and the production team for the play festival. For both shows, I also took photos of performances and rehearsals. My work in the office, outside of the production work, was also very interesting and fulfilling. I worked on editing NPTC’s new website, and felt very grateful to gain this experience. Becoming familiar with editing websites, is a very practical and useful skill, and I felt honored to be trusted with this task with very little experience. Additionally, I gained experience writing newsletters, and interviewed artists for the monthly artist profile. Both of these tasks were interesting, as well as useful experience for any future work, even outside of theatre.

My internship also allowed me to meet so many interesting, hardworking, talented, and kind people. I was so grateful to work with other interns, as well as playwrights, directors, stage managers, and so many other people throughout the summer. Through attending events, I was exposed to the professional world of theatre. In June, for example, we attended the LPTW Rachel Crothers Leadership Award at Sardi’s. This event honored Donna Walker-Kuhne, the nation’s foremost expert in Audience Diversification. This ceremony was so exciting to witness, and socializing with professionals was very interesting. Everyone I met greeted me with kindness and excitement for my summer experience.

I wanted to work at New Perspectives to gain an insight into professional theatre. My dream is to use theatre to teach and present Biological research, and this summer provided irreplaceable experience in the world of professional theatre, and further assured my desire to work in an environment centered around creativity and collaboration. I am so grateful to New Perspectives for hosting me, and for providing this amazing opportunity.”