Collaborative School of the Arts program sets up interns for entry into their professional journey

Seven students spent their summer across Proctors Collaborative venues gaining career skills

SCHENECTADY–Real-life, hands-on experiences are one of the many things that make the Collaborative School of the Arts a leader in education and theatre training. Their programs put students right in the action. The internship program with CSOA gives students the opportunity to get into the nitty-gritty of every facet of an arts organization. From marketing and finance to education and assisting with programming — there is something for any career path.

This summer seven students interned across Proctors Collaborative venues. These hands-on internships connect students with arts professionals, offering an immersive environment where creativity meets career-building.

Caroline Crounse, a graduate from Scotia who attends Endicott College in Massachusetts, spent the summer working with the Art department. According to her, the internship opportunity has “very much felt like a job site, while also having the support that a school system would, which I think has been very helpful in kind of guiding me along this process.”

During these last few weeks, Crounse has worked on branding for an event being held at Proctors and attended a photoshoot for a production at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany.

“I feel like I’m learning things that I wouldn’t necessarily learn in other places. I’m being put in other departments and being able to reach out to different people and just have an overall positive experience,” Crounse said.

“Being [at Proctors] and working here, I’ve kind of realized that Proctors is more than a theatre. There’s a whole back end to it, which has a lot of different layers. And I think being able to work within those different layers, is something I could definitely see myself doing in the future,” she added.

The CSOA model emphasizes integrating disciplines. Students gain experience coordinating across teams, navigating the communication styles of set designers, the technical precision of lighting engineers, and the storytelling of stage directors.

Spencer Zambri-Moran attends Bennington College and worked as a choreography intern for CSOA’s biggest summer program – Broadway Camp. An alum of the program, Zambri-Moran knew they would apply to intern when the opportunity arose.

“I’ve always had great experiences as a student at Proctors, and as someone coming in to watch shows. It’s just a place I have a lot of positive memories of. This was also one of the places that would really let me get what I want out of an internship instead of just being given certain tasks to complete,” they said.

During their internship Zambri-Moran has led brush-up rehearsals, worked with the stage managers, and has elevated their note-taking skills.

“It’s been really flexible, and I’ve gotten to experience a lot of things I needed to for my school and for my goals,” they added.

“There are things that go on behind the scenes that you don’t even know about [as a student], that I’ve gotten to be a part of, which is really cool. I’ve learned a lot about just the process as a whole,” Zambri-Moran said.

As Proctors Collaborative continues its mission to connect youth to arts careers, the Collaborative School of the Arts internship program remains at the heart of its strategy. Students who begin as passionate interns often conclude the program ready to start their professional career journey or sometimes return to Proctors as paid staff — proof that this program helps build futures.

Assistant Director of School Programs Shai Davenport has been working at Proctors since Sept. 2020 and said, “My time as an intern at Proctors is what enhanced my love for the arts. I learned so much about the process of theatre and it only made me want to be involved more. If I didn’t get the opportunities I had back in 2017 I would not be where I am now.”

Former intern Jacob Frenyea now works as part of the CSOA team as Education Programs Manager. He was a student in Broadway Camp in 2019 and 2021, an intern in 2022, and now oversees the Internship and Apprenticeship programs as part of his job.

“The internship program at Proctors Collaborative was instrumental in launching the next phase of my career. It gave me a comprehensive view of both the artistic and administrative sides of theatre, allowing me to explore different career paths and discover where my strengths and interests align. That invaluable experience not only shaped my professional journey but ultimately led me to a full-time role here. Today, I have the privilege of overseeing all internship opportunities across the Collaborative—a program that helped me eventually become part of the Proctors team,” he said.

Why it matters for careers:

• Hands-on learning – Interns operate in real production scenarios, handling tight deadlines and fast problem-solving, preparing them for professional rigor.
• Professional portfolio development – Experience in technical theatre, design, stage management, and collaboration becomes a standout addition to applications and résumés.
• Mentorship and visibility – Working closely with professionals builds relationships that can become career references or job leads.
• Teamwork across disciplines – Learning to communicate clearly with diverse departments prepares interns for any collaborative field, not just theatre.