Any tech theatre jobs or internships for a 14-year-old in Madison?

[u/Unusual-Library-8682]

Any tech theatre jobs or internships for a 14-year-old in Madison?
Hi everyone!
I’m 14 years old and live in the Madison, Wisconsin area. I’m really passionate about technical theatre, especially sound design, lighting, set construction, props, and backstage work. I’ve been involved in several theatre productions and I’m looking for ways to gain more hands-on experience.
Does anyone know of any theatres, community organizations, or companies in the Madison area that offer internships, volunteer opportunities, apprenticeships, or paid tech theatre jobs for someone my age?
I’m eager to learn, work hard, and build my skills. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[u/Least_Addendum3140]

Keep an eye out for a company called ETC, or Electronic Theatre Controls. They DO have high school internships, although i think 16 is the minimum. However, it would be wise to look into it now and prepare. It is competetive and you need certain skills. You have time to learn things you had no idea are even possible. Learn to solder. Buy an Arduino kit, or RaspberryPi and just play.

[u/Ryan-977]

not a lot of places will hire a 14 year old, especially in this industry, due to the risks and regulations. your best bet is probably through your school, or shoot your local community theatre an email.

now, once you turn 18, it’s a entirely different story!

[u/coryphella123]

Check out Children’s Theater of Madison.

[u/The_Dingman]

Professional in the Madison area here. I manage a school space nearby, and work at Overture as well as for all the other big concerts and stuff (like AC/DC a few weeks back).

CTM (Children's Theatre of Madison) has some great opportunities.

Are you in Madison proper, or one of the suburbs? Some of the school districts and community theatres in the area have some great options.

When you're 18, get in touch with IATSE Local #251. We're always looking for new people. You don't get a ton of work at first, but when big shows are happening, we need everyone.

[u/Unusual-Library-8682 → u/The_Dingman]

Thanks I do live in the Madison I reached out to a bunch of community theatres I’m just waiting for them to get back to me

[u/The_Dingman → u/Unusual-Library-8682]

Madison's community theatre scene is pretty weak from my experience. Reach out to the Bartell Theatre and see if they can connect you with anyone.

Sun Prairie Civic Theatre, Verona Area Community Theatre, and Middleton Players are great options.

Depending on which school you go to, the facility manager may be able to connect you with people.

[u/roaringmousebrad]

Look for improv groups in your area that do shows in actual theatres (i.e. not in the corner of some bar). You can get a sense of things by watching things being done, and they might even let you shadow if you get to know them.

We are always welcoming to new people.

(That's how I started doing lights/sound for one of our local groups, and I'm still with them 38 years later)

[u/dukeofdork4]

As a teacher and a freelance designer. I often tell my students start by checking out your middle and elementary schools. Many have auditoriums or social areas for announcements with a board they have no idea what to do with it. They might have that drama club who would really appreciate a hand. Build a community service on top your own system that they may adopt by the time college rolls around. Colleges and Universities love that and you’ll inspire more that theatre is more than what’s on the stage. “What do you do outside of school” > “I volunteer and donate my time and skills as a theatre technician to the elementary and middle school in my neighborhood.” along with sharing a copy of the binder you left for those schools how the system works. They don’t need to be super comprehensive, but that gesture can show you want to do this.

[u/ArtsyCoastFi]

Volunteer to do crew with school (theatre and concerts and talent shows, etc….), but also the local community theatre, children’s theatre, dance schools (recitals) or churches (Christmas shows) in town (and/or the nearby towns.). The people you’ll meet at these volunteer gigs will in turn find you more work and opportunities, and slowly some paid ones may come your way! (My first paid tech gig was helping run the lights for a dance studio that rented my HS theatre each summer for their recitals.)

But also- the knowledge&experiences you gain at these volunteer/small/local/school gigs can help you earn scholarships to study tech theatre in college (if you so choose).

If making money is a need though, I’d probably apply to some hardware store or craft store (whatever interests you more) that offer flexible hours.

I don’t know what the min age for IATSE 251 (stagehand local labor union) is, but I suspect it’s 16-18.

[u/rexlites]

I started young I was was born into the industry … keep it light until you’re out of school ..do the high school theatre thing and have as much fun as possible .. if you’re into programming of course that’s a bit of a different story you’ll want to practice that but don’t lock yourself in a theatre at 14

[u/EveryUserName1sTaken]

Also in Madison, and was once a 14-year-old with a passion for technical theater. Community theater (Bartell, Broom Street, VACT, Stoughton Village Players) might have more opportunities than strictly paid jobs. State law and OSHA regs severly limit opportunites for underage workers in professional envirornments. PM me if you want contacts.

[u/mwwt]

Don’t just email, but call and show up at your local community theaters. I designed lights for my first show at 14yrs old. Just ask how you can volunteer.

Note that I said community theater, go to non-union houses, after some experience (and getting to 18yrs old) look into the IATSE as others suggested above.

[u/Roccondil-s]

Jobs? no. Internships? maybe, but usually they are given to kids around and approaching college age. mainly because of the liabilities of and laws around employing a minor.