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Opportunities at ABT

Opportunities at ABT

As America’s National Ballet Company®, American Ballet Theatre is proud to represent the apex of performing arts, community, and dance education. Our mission is to preserve and expand the worldwide repertoire of ballet by presenting delightful performances, providing the highest quality dance education, and by incorporating programs that augment diversity and inclusion such as the ABT Women’s Movement and ABT RISE.

It takes a top-notch team of innovators, problem-solvers, and art enthusiasts to make our mission successful. That’s why we employ the best and brightest minds in the business from seasoned performing arts professionals to recent college graduates. Whether you’re looking for your first job or your next career, joining the ABT family gives you the opportunity to channel your passion, challenge convention, and most importantly, to make an impact in the global performing arts industry.

This page is continually updated with our current available positions. Take a look below to see how you can get involved today!

Jobs at ABT

Are you interested in working for a vital and thriving arts organization? American Ballet Theatre has exciting job opportunities for experienced arts professionals as well as enthusiastic first-time employees. If you’re ready to make an impact on the performing arts industry by joining an organization of global renown, search our available positions below. Remember, this page is updated as openings become available, so keep checking back.

American Ballet Theatre is an equal opportunity employer.

View Available Positions

Audition Opportunities

Whether you have yet to put on your first pair of pointe shoes or you have been dancing for years, we invite you to take part in one of ABT’s many training programs. Click below to explore audition opportunities.

Auditions for the main Company of American Ballet Theatre are by invitation only.

The following materials are required to audition:

  • Video: The video should have no introduction or fancy editing, consisting of the following performed in leotard and tights for women and tight-fitting dance attire for men:
    • A short classical variation drawn from the standard repertoire, danced in pointe shoes by female applicants. Please do not wear anything that obscures your leg line.
    • A short contemporary variation (that could consist of something drawn from repertoire, phrases from classwork, or an applicant-created work) that illustrates the applicant’s command of a range of movement different from that demonstrated in the classical variation.
    • 3-5 minutes of barre work, incorporating both sides, danced in pointe shoes by female applicants.
    • 3-5 minutes of centre work that includes adagio, pirouettes, petit and grand allegro, danced in pointe shoes by female applicants.
  • CV: Your CV must include your height, weight, birthdate, nationality, contact information, contractual status, and details on training and professional experience.
  • Headshot
  • 2-3 Photos: Photos should reveal the dancer’s body proportions and line.

 

To learn more, please contact us via the link below.

Contact Us

To audition for ABT Studio Company’s 2022-2023 season, you must be between the ages of 17 and 20 years old on September 1, 2022 and have reached an advanced level of ballet training. Space in ABT Studio Company is extremely limited.

Video auditions are accepted on a rolling basis starting on October 1, 2021, and open auditions are to be determined. Other than submitting a video audition or attending an open audition, auditions are by invitation only.

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Pre-Primary and Primary levels at the ABT JKO School ​require no prior dance experience. Placement in each level is based solely on student’s date of birth.

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Auditions are required for students intending to enroll in Levels 1A through 3B of the ABT JKO School. These levels are for students ages seven to twelve with previous ballet training. Upon acceptance, students will be placed into the appropriate level by the Artistic Faculty.

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Acceptance to the Pre-Professional Division of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is by audition only. Prospective students may audition by attending an open audition, select Summer Intensive auditions, submitting a video audition, or by attending an ABT Summer Intensive.

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Auditions are open to all students who have achieved intermediate or advanced levels of ballet training. Young Dancer Summer Workshop applicants must be between 9 and 11 years old, or 12-year-olds at the beginning pointe level.

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Auditions are open to all students who have achieved intermediate or advanced levels of ballet training. Applicants for all Summer Intensives must be at least 11 years old by their audition date and no older than 20.

Applicants over the age of 18 will be considered for the New York and Collegiate Intensives only.

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Auditions are open to all students who have achieved intermediate or advanced levels of ballet training. Collegiate Summer Intensive applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 24.

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Audition and enrollment information for the ABT William J. Gillespie School is available on the ABT Gillespie School website.

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Acceptance into the program is by application and audition only. The audition is open to applicants for the NYU Master’s Program only and prospective students must have already attained an advanced level of ballet training. Audition registration is required.

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ABT Incubator, a two-week choreographic program, provides a focused lab to generate and inspire ideas for the creation of new work.

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Internships

American Ballet Theatre’s Internship Program was established in Fall 2010 to provide pre-professional nonprofit work experience for university students and recent graduates. To further expand ethnic and cultural diversity in classical ballet, ABT is committed to facilitating inclusive programs through its ABT RISE initiative.

Each year, approximately 40 interns join the ABT family, where they partner with a mentor and gain valuable work experience in their areas of interest.  The program is coordinated by Naomi Gewanter and Julie Solomon.

In addition to working with their mentors, interns participate in weekly meetings that promote professional development and provide opportunities to hear from leaders within the organization. Interns may also assist with a variety of special events; gaining exposure to important figures in the arts community.

ABT’s Internship program is held in Spring, Summer and Fall semesters:

Fall 2023

September 8, 2023 – December 8, 2023
Final Deadline: July 14, 2023

Fall semester applications are now closed.

Spring 2024

January 26, 2024 May 17, 2024
Final Deadline: November 10, 2023

Summer 2024

May 31, 2024 – August 9, 2024
Final Deadline: March 25, 2024 (subject to change)

Please note that the majority of internships will require a degree of in-person availability and participation.  Please review the job descriptions carefully.

American Ballet Theatre is a fully-vaccinated company. Interns selected for an In-Person internship should be prepared to show proof of full primary series vaccination at the start of the program.

To Apply

Submit the following documents:

  • Completed application form
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter specifying the internship position(s) for which you are applying
  • Letters of recommendation are encouraged, but not required
  • ABT RISE Scholarship essay, if applicable

Please note that the Resume and Cover Letter are required and should be submitted in a single PDF format.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email internships@abt.org.

Available Internships - Fall 2023

Marketing Internship

Marketing Internship

Marketing

General Description: This position is primarily responsible for assisting in Social Media and Box Office Strategy in the Marketing Department

  • Drafts social media content
  • Contributes ideas to the social media content calendar
  • Develops reports on social media analytics
  • Researches brand partnership opportunities
  • Assembles and analyzes box offices sales reports to help prepare marketing strategies and objectives
  • Organizes marketing reports and archival documents
  • Researches competitive landscape by identifying and evaluating pricing and marketing best practices in Ballet and other comparable industries
  • Maintains research databases
  • Assists in monitoring season earned revenue budgets by comparing and analyzing actual results with projects and goals
  • Participates in creation of a dynamic pricing algorithm for season performances at Met Opera House and Koch Theatre
  • Help with day-to-day tasks and other Marketing duties as assigned

Position Qualifications:

Must have excellent writing and communication skills.  Must be attentive to detail, have ability to meet strict deadlines, and be a self-starter.  This position is available to students in at least their Junior-level year of Undergraduate Studies and Graduate-level students.  Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Knowledge of dance and performing arts preferred.

Hybrid work environment.  Remote-only candidates welcome for Spring semester only.

Primary Reporting Responsibility: Associate Director, Box Office Strategy and CRM

Secondary Reporting Responsibility: Manager, Creative Services and Design

Internship Program Application Form
Engagement Internship

Engagement Internship

Education & Training

General Description: This position is responsible for assisting the entire Department of Education and Training.

  • Assist the Engagement Manager in the organization and execution of ABT’s engagement programs
  • Assist in the preparation of ABTKids and Pre-Performance Workshops
  • Manage dance shoe inventory and sales for students
  • Assist with the maintenance and update of community partnership contacts and school database
  • Organize schedules and general communication between patrons
  • Assist in archival of department audio and video
  • Oversee and maintain department filing
  • Help with day-to-day tasks such as copying and assembling materials
  • Other duties as assigned

Position Qualifications:

Must have excellent interpersonal skills and work well with children.  Must be attentive to detail, have ability to meet strict deadlines, and be a self-starter.  A strong dance background is recommended, as well as an interest in the administrative aspects of Family Programming.

Computer literacy is a must, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.  Knowledge of dance and performing arts is a requirement.

Must be able to commit to a schedule of 2-3 days a week.  Hybrid work environment.  In-person availability required.

Primary Reporting Responsibility: Engagement Manager

Internship Program Application Form
National Training Curriculum Internship

National Training Curriculum Internship

Education and Training

General Description: This position is primarily responsible for assisting the National Training Curriculum Assistant in organizing ABT’s NTC Teacher Training Sessions and assisting with ABT Student Examinations.

  • Help organize details related to upcoming teacher trainings and examinations
  • Attend and assist in the teacher trainings
  • Help manage NTC materials invoicing and payment
  • Research and update mailing lists for marketing
  • Oversee and maintain database updates and document filing
  • Help with day-to-day tasks such as copying and assembling materials
  • Print ABT Certificates for teachers and students
  • Other duties as assigned

Position Qualifications:

Must have excellent interpersonal skills.  Must be organized, have attention to detail, have ability to meet strict deadlines, and be a self-starter.  A strong dance background is a must, as well as an interest in the Administrative aspects of running a training program.

Must be at least a sophomore in college. Computer literacy is a must, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.  Knowledge of dance and performing arts is a requirement.

Must be able to commit to a schedule of 2-3 days a week.  Academic credit can be arranged.  Hybrid work environment.  In-person availability required.

Primary Reporting Responsibility: National Training Curriculum Assistant

Internship Program Application Form
Institutional Support Internship

Institutional Support Internship

Development

General Description: This position is primarily responsible for assisting the Institutional Support division within Development. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Assist Institutional Support Associate with preparing foundation and government proposals for submission
  • Assist with drafting reports and acknowledgment letters for funders
  • Assist with preparing Institutional Support mailings
  • Help organize and maintain accurate records in Raiser’s Edge
  • Assist with researching prospective funding opportunities
  • Assist with benefit fulfillment for corporate sponsors
  • Help with day-to-day tasks such as copying and assembling materials
  • Assist with maintaining department filing
  • Support Development Department-wide activities, including special events, as needed
  • Other duties as assigned

Position Qualifications:

Must have excellent writing and communication skills.  Must be attentive to detail, have ability to meet strict deadlines, and be a self-starter.  Must be at least a sophomore in college at time of application and be available for a minimum of 15 hours per week. Computer literacy is a must, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge a plus.  Knowledge of dance and performing arts preferred.

Hybrid work environment.  In-person availability required.

Primary Reporting Responsibility: Institutional Relations Manager

Internship Program Application Form
Finance Internship

Finance Internship

Finance

General Description: This position is primarily responsible for assisting in the Finance Department

  • Assist with bank reconciliations
  • Analyze balance sheet schedules
  • Assist with journal entry preparation
  • Assist with the preparation of files needed for annual audit
  • Assist the bursar with recordkeeping for school tuition and scholarships
  • Process manual credit card payments
  • Assist the Senior Director of Finance on any other reports as requested
  • Help with day-to-day tasks and other financial duties as assigned

Position Qualifications:

Must have excellent writing and communication skills. Must be attentive to detail, have ability to meet strict deadlines, and be a self-starter. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Knowledge of dance and performing arts are helpful.

Hybrid work environment.  Remote-only candidates welcome.

Primary Reporting Responsibility: Senior Director of Finance

Internship Program Application Form
ABT JKO School Internship

ABT JKO School Internship

Education and Training

General Description: This position is primarily responsible for assisting the Director of the JKO Pre-Professional Division and Director of the Children’s Division in special projects related to the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.

  • Assist with, organize, and manage ABT Studio Company and JKO School wardrobe/ costumes
  • Update JKO School student profiles through Education Edge
  • Help with day-to-day tasks such as copying and assembling materials for families and faculty
  • Assist in the drafting of contracts for faculty and accompanists
  • Assist in preparations for the start of the new school year including, but not limited to: locker reassignments, creation of student files, creation and updating of ABT JKO School handbooks and forms, and process incoming enrollment paperwork
  • Research projects associated with Education and Training programs
  • Assist with departmental events and filing as necessary
  • Other duties as assigned by the Directors of the JKO School

Position Qualifications:

Must have excellent interpersonal/ customer service skills and work well with children and teenagers.  Must be attentive to detail, have ability to meet strict deadlines, have ability to work well in a pressured environment and be a self-starter.  A strong dance background is a must, as well as an interest in the administrative aspects of running a school.

Must be at least a sophomore in college. Knowledge of dance and performing arts required. Computer literacy is a must, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.  Hybrid work environment.  In-person availability required.

Primary Reporting Responsibility: ABT JKO School Directors

Internship Program Application Form
Press Internship

Press Internship

Press

General Description: This position is primarily responsible for assisting in the Press and Public Relations Department.

  • Maintains media lists
  • Collects and distributes press clippings to staff
  • Assists in researching press kit materials and assembling press kits
  • Assists in distribution of approved photos to press
  • Greets media crews and members of the press for interviews, photo shoots, or filming, and assists as needed
  • Attends and assists at Company performances and special events
  • Proofreads press releases and other materials
  • Helps with day-to-day tasks and other Press duties as assigned

Position Qualifications:

Must have excellent writing and communication skills. Must be attentive to detail, have ability to meet strict deadlines, and be a self-starter. This position is available to students in at least their Junior-level year of Undergraduate Studies and Graduate-level students. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required. Experience in Photoshop and Mailchimp (or similar email platform) a plus. Knowledge of dance and performing arts preferred. May require occasional evening and weekend hours.

Hybrid work environment.  In-person availability required.

Primary Reporting Responsibility: Press Coordinator
Secondary Reporting Responsibility: Director, Press and Web Development

Internship Program Application Form
Major Gifts / Donor Relations Internship

Major Gifts / Donor Relations Internship

Development

General Description: This position is responsible for assisting the Major Gifts Team and Manager of Donor Relations in stewarding members of Golden Circle, Majors, and Board of Trustees. General duties include:  

  • Assist Major Gifts Associate with administrative duties and projects 
  • Conduct in-depth online research of high net-worth single-ticket buyers for cultivation and addition into ABT’s Major Donor portfolio 
  • Assist in managing portfolio of current and prospective donors, including the organization and maintenance of accurate records for files, Raisers Edge, and Playbill 
  • Support Major Gifts and Development Department-wide activities and special events in conjunction with ABT’s annual seasons at either the Metropolitan Opera House or David H. Koch Theatre on a select basis as needed 
  • Assist in processing gifts and drafting acknowledgement letters 
  • Assist in creating and processing mailings 
  • Help with day-to-day tasks such as copying and assembling materials 
  • Assisting with ticket orders for ABT’s Summer and Fall New York Seasons 
  • Assist with phone calls to donors to verify and collect ticket-related information  
  • Helps organize hundreds of patron ticket orders in Excel and patron databases 
  • Maintains accurate information in database involving ticketing, ticket order fulfillment, patron reports 
  • Supports the organization and physical mailing of tickets 
  • Assists with the editing and monitoring of all ABT Playbill’s and donor crediting across multiple pieces of literature and publication 
  • Optional assistance with Met on-site Summer season, including Summer Gala, performances, Membership table 

Other duties as assigned  

Position Qualifications:  

Hybrid work environment. In-person availability required. College student or recent graduate (Bachelor’s degree preferred) with availability to commit to a schedule of 3-5 days per week. Additional nights and weekends outside of regular office hours may be required to assist with staffing cultivation events.  

The ideal candidate has enthusiastic energy, a keen attention to detail, is highly organized and self-sufficient. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Must have stellar interpersonal/customer service skills, the ability to meet strict deadlines, as well as multitask. Database experience a plus. Knowledge of and interest in ballet and the performing arts desired.  


Primary Reporting Responsibility: Major Gifts Associate
Secondary Reporting Responsibility: Manager of Donor Relations

Internship Program Application Form
Membership / Special Events Internship

Membership / Special Events Internship

Development

General Description: This position is primarily responsible for assisting with all operational facets of the Membership and Special Events Departments and will participate in all department fundraising events and activities.  The Membership and Special Events Intern will support both departments in the following: 

Membership: 

  • Work with Membership Assistant and Coordinator to collaborate on new ways to steward donors, generate acknowledgement letters, and update membership records accordingly.  
  • Work with Assistant Manager of Special Events to assist with logistics of member events including studio visits, receptions, and special lectures.  
  • Work with Database Manager to maintain integrity of database and analyze and edit data to ensure accuracy.  
  • Work with Membership Coordinator on various ways to target specific donor groups and ensure effective workflow within the department.  
  • Supports Membership Associate with member subscriptions and ticketing, preparing, proofing, and customizing orders, data entry, database tracking, mailings, managing and reconciling expenses, and donor confirmations.   
  • Help clean and maintain Raisers’ Edge, our Donor Database.  

Special Events: 

  • Assist with mailings such as invitations, photos, acknowledgement letters, etc. 
  • Format and edit mailing labels, envelopes, invitation lists, etc. 
  • Maintain inventory of supplies (letterhead, brochures, invitations, stamps, seating charts) for Events department; responsible for ordering new materials as required 
  • Manage distribution of departmental mail; update contact information for returned mail 
  • Coordinate all departmental filings
  • Assist in designing all in-house event materials such as place cards or event signage 
  • Draft event descriptions for ABT website and update all events web pages 
  • Prospect research as assigned 
  • Produce Special Events acknowledgement letters 
  • Track RSVPs for events 
  • Serve as contact for patron event inquiries 
  • Staff all special events 
  • Other duties as assigned     

Position Qualifications:  

This position is available to students in at least their Junior-level year of Undergraduate Studies and Graduate-level students.  Proficiency in Microsoft programs including Excel, and familiarity with databases preferred but not required. This internship will provide a great opportunity to experience how a Membership and Development Department runs in a successful non-profit organization. Students seeking academic credit are encouraged to apply.   

Primary Reporting Responsibility: Assistant Manager, Special Events and Membership Assistant  

Internship Program Application

Contact Us

For additional information about the ABT internship program, please email internships@abt.org.

Contact Us

FAQs

To view our most frequently asked questions about the ABT internship program, please click below.

View Our FAQs

Volunteer Opportunities

It takes an enormous amount of time and effort to efficiently run an organization like American Ballet Theatre. That’s why ABT gratefully welcomes volunteer assistance in its administrative offices. Duties include preparing mailings, making photocopies, filing, and other light office work.

If you are interested in volunteering for ABT, please fill out a volunteer application.

Volunteer Application

Supernumeraries

Thank you for your interest in being a Supernumerary with American Ballet Theatre. Supernumeraries also called supers” are background characters used to help create full and lively scenes during our full-length ballets.

Please see below for more information and to register for an audition.

The Nutcracker - Costa Mesa, California

ABT Orchestra

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the ABT Orchestra. There are currently no upcoming auditions. Future audition opportunities will be posted here and advertised in Allegro and International Musician.