Internships and Apprenticeships

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts offers a nationally recognized Internship and Apprenticeship Program designed to give young professionals a competitive edge as they launch their careers. Offered during the fall, spring, and summer, these paid, hands-on opportunities span a wide range of departments, including communications and marketing, development, education, human resources, information technology, ticket services, stage management, technical theater, and more.

Participants build key workplace skills and competencies that are essential in today’s job market such as collaboration, communication, and problem-solving abilities. In addition to these fundamental skills, our internships and apprenticeships provide specialized training in specific disciplines—from technical theater and arts management to fundraising, accounting, and special events.

"One of the Best Places to Intern"

Bloomberg BusinessWeek

"One of America’s Top 100 Internships"

The Princeton Review

Fostering Next Generation of Arts Leaders

Wolf Trap Foundation is committed to providing students from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities access to professional learning opportunities that also consider and support the students’ individual skill development. Interns and apprentices benefit from panels, workshops, field trips, and networking experiences that reflect the specific needs of participants.

The program’s goal is to set up students for career success by fostering a workplace environment of shared resources, conversations, and connections that highlight the importance of hearing and learning from multiple perspectives.

Internship Requirements

Interns must be physically located in and have a local address in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia during the duration of their internship.
- Undergraduate students (must have completed at least 1 year of undergraduate study)
- Graduate students
- Recent graduates (up to 2 years out of school)
- Career-changers currently enrolled in a degree program
- International students (J-1 or F-1 Visa required)
- You must complete the entire online application within three days to be considered for an internship.
- Cover letter with brief personal statement and outline of career goals. Resume listing relevant courses, previous experience, and special skills. No transcripts please.
- Writing sample (no more than three pages; not required for Graphic Design). An example can be something you’ve written for a previous class or assignment.
- Design Portfolio: Graphic Design, Photography, and Social Media & Multimedia applicants only.
- Contact information for two references.
- Fall Internships: August 1
- Spring Internships: December 1
- Summer Internships: March 1
- Duration is 12 weeks (unless otherwise stated) with flexible start and end dates;
- Fall and spring internships are part-time (up to 21 hours per week) and summer internships are full-time (35 hours per week).

Apprenticeship Requirements

Apprentices must be physically located in and have a local address in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia during the duration of their internship.
- Undergraduate students (must have completed at least 1 year of undergraduate study)
- Graduate students
- Recent graduates (up to 2 years out of school)
- Career-changers currently enrolled in a degree program
- International students (J-1 or F-1 Visa required)
- Apprenticeships follow Wolf Trap Opera’s rehearsal schedule and work on a 6-day/week schedule (one day off that varies from week to week; standard production schedule)
- Technical Theater, Scene Painting, Props, Costuming, Lighting, and Wig & Make Up Apprentices also become the run-crew for all performances at The Barns at Wolf Trap.
- Wolf Trap does not offer remote positions.
- You must complete the entire online application within three days to be considered for an apprenticeship.
- Cover letter with brief personal statement and outline of career goals.
- Resume listing relevant courses, previous experience, and special skills. No transcripts please.
- Opera Apprenticeships are only available in the summer.
- Duration can be up to 14 weeks depending on the Wolf Trap Opera schedule.

For questions or concerns, please email internships@wolftrap.org.

Interested? Explore current openings

Internships

Opera Apprenticeships

"This experience has only furthered my passion for working in the live music and performing arts space, and being involved with a nonprofit has been the most gratifying experience of my professional life thus far."

Anna Addison, Media Relations Intern, 2025

Intern & Apprentice

Benefits & Perks

***Stipends are available to students who qualify for Financial Aid at their college or university. This stipend is intended to help reduce financial barriers by offsetting the cost of housing and transportation so that eligible students may gain professional work experience. If hired, students will receive a $5,000 stipend (summer positions) or $2,500 stipend (fall/spring positions) paid biweekly over the course of their internship/apprenticeship. This stipend is not guaranteed, as there are limited awards available each season. Students qualify for the stipend by opting in when applying and providing proof of Financial Aid at their college or university.**

Watch to learn more about Wolf Trap's Internships and Apprenticeships

Internships & Apprenticeships at Wolf Trap

Internships & Apprenticeships

Fostering Next Generation of Arts Leaders

Internship Requirements

Location Requirement

Eligibility

On-Site Work

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines

Hours & Duration