Frequently Asked Questions

Does Steppenwolf Theatre Company offer paid internships?  
Participants in the Summer Internship program are paid at $15/hour.

Participants in the nine-month Apprenticeship and Fellowship programs are paid minimum wage for 28 to 40 hours a week, depending on their department. Fellows receive additional paid hours for professional development opportunities and a modest monthly stipend to help defray cost of living. Nine-month Apprentices and Fellows are also eligable for Steppenwolf's part-time dental plan, as well as vision insurance and a pre-tax Chicago Transit Authority Card. 

How competitive is the selection process? 
Because Steppenwolf receives so many applications from highly qualified individuals there is a high level of competition. Each year, we receive over a seven hundred applications for these programs. 

How does the selection process work?  
If an application is complete, it will be reviewed; reviews begin after the date of the submission deadline. A round of candidates will be interviewed in person, over Skype or over the phone. Some departments will request a second round of interviews. Usually, the selection process is completed within 4 to 8 weeks and all candidates will be notified either way no later than 8 weeks from the application due date. 

Does Steppenwolf offer housing?  
Steppenwolf Theatre does not currently provide housing for Professional Leadership Program participants. It is the responsibility of the participant to find and pay for their own housing. 

Does Steppenwolf offer short–term or part–time internships? 
Steppenwolf sticks to the program dates listed. Persons looking for a short-term experience should consider The Summer Internship or signing up to volunteer. 

Can an applicant apply to more than one Apprenticeship or Internships?
Yes. Applicants can apply for up to two different Apprenticeships and/or Internships. Applicants interested in applying to two different departments must fill out and submit two separate applications.

Are high–school students or adults exploring new career paths eligible to apply for an internship/apprenticeship at Steppenwolf?  
All participants must be 18 years of age or older. While we do not have internship or apprenticeship options specifically for high school students, Steppenwolf Education provides many programs for high school aged students to participant and learn at Steppenwolf. Adults interested in exploring new career paths in arts administration or production are more than welcome to apply.

Will I be able hold a job during the program? 
Interns, Apprentices, and Fellows work between 28 to 40 hours per week depending on the department. Please see the individual apprenticeship or internship pages for information on the hours required for each position. Many former participants have been able to find evening, weekend, or freelance work in retail, restaurants, bars, arts organizations, etc. It is recommended you discuss with the hiring manager during the interview process if/how part-time work could fit around the program.

If I am not offered an internship/apprenticeship/fellowship can I apply again?  
Yes. Due to the high number of qualified applicants we receive each year many departments find themselves with a number of appropriate applications from which to choose. If you feel the program would still be beneficial to you or you have gained a little more experience, please feel free to re–apply. 

To whom should I address my cover letter and/or personal statement? To whom should my recommenders address their letters? 
Coverletters and Statements can be address to the PLP Coordinator, To Whom It May Concern, or to the individual hiring supervisor (if known). 

How do I get all of my documents into one PDF? 
There are a number of ways to combine your documents into one PDF including scanning the documents, Adobe pro, as well as a variety of PDF converter websites. Remember to limit the size of your PDF to 4MB. For the main application, please name your PDF with lastname_firstname.pdf (e.g. letts_tracy.pdf). Please follow instructions for any additional application materials listed on the individual departments webpages.

If I scan my documents into one PDF, my letters of recommendation will no longer be confidential. Is that OK? How will you know the letters are legitimate? 
Steppenwolf has never required confidential or sealed letters of recommendation. You should only request letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak favorably to your talents and abilities and let them know that you will have access to the letter. That said, if your recommender is not able to provide you with a letter of recommendation directly, they are able to submit their recommendation online via this survey. We are not able to accept recommendations that are mailed to Steppenwolf directly.

What if my letters of recommendation are not available by the deadline? 
Letters of recommendation can be submitted separately if necessary (though we highly prefer receiving them as a part of your application by the due date). If your recommender needs to submit separately, they may do so through this survey. We will accept Letters of Recommendation after the due date if needed, however, hiring supervisors begin reviewing applications immediately following the due date and late materials could negatively impact your application. 

Do you accept international applicants?
Yes, we do accept applications from international applicants, however, Steppenwolf is only able to accept applicants who are eligible to work in the United States (via visas, green cards, citizenship, etc.). Please note that traditionally we have only been able to provide the correct support for applicants with an F-1 Visa with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization.

I still have questions, what do I do?! 
Please email leadership@steppenwolf.org with further questions. Thank you.