University of Colorado /Department of Theatre & Dance
Dance Internship Program
COURSE INFORMATION
The internship is intended to be a culminating experience for students who are pursuing
the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Dance. While our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) track
culminates in the student choreographed Studio Concert course, there is no equivalent capstone
course for the BA degree. This course is intended for those students who wish to explore career
opportunities in dance fields other than, or in addition to, those with a choreographic or
performance emphasis. It asks them to apply knowledge and skills developed in their major
studies to a practical work experience.
The specific content of this course will vary in order to reflect the distinctive nature of
each internship experience. However, the below defined elements will be required of all
students and will be used as a basis for determining a grade.
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Complete the requirements of a work contract, executed between the sponsor and the
student, which details the specific expectations and time commitments of the
internship. Required related assignments will be included in this document.
Each student will keep a journal to record day-to-day impressions and responses of the
work experience.
Each student will keep a log, signed by the sponsor, which records dates and times
spent at the work site.
Each student will meet a minimum of 3 times with the course instructor to review the
progress of the internship.
Each student will complete a final paper, which will be an analysis of the internship
experience. A practical element to the final paper will be required when appropriate;
e.g. selected publicity materials created by the student, a series of lesson plans, a
videotape etc.
Each sponsor will be asked to complete two standardized report forms, one midterm
and one final, which will evaluate the student’s performance and requests comments
and suggestions regarding their participation in the program.
CONTACT HOURS
This course will be offered as a flexible 1, 2 or 3 credit hours. Each credit hour will
correlate to a total of 45 hours of on-site time, spread over the 15-week fall or spring semesters.
E.g. 1cr=3 hrs/week, 2cr=6 hrs/week, 3cr=9 hrs/week. Summer session total hours will be the
same. Sponsors and students may design a schedule that is less consistent week to week, or that
spans more than one semester, in order to accommodate a sponsor’s particular needs. Such a
schedule will need to be worked out in advance and will become a part of the contract. In no
case should the total number of required contact hours be exceeded.
COMPENSATION
It is generally expected that these internships will be unpaid. However, some
organizations may be able to offer compensation in the form of discounts on classes or activities
or by other methods, at their discretion.
University of Colorado /Department of Theatre & Dance
Dance Internship Program
WORK CONTRACT – to be completed by the Organization
Intern name:
Phone:
Email:
Mailing address:
Organization name:
Organization intern supervisor:
Phone:
Email:
Work address:
Start date
End date
Total time commitment
Hours per week
Or attach detailed agreed upon work schedule
Job Description (attach additional page if necessary)
The student intern will be expected to satisfactorily complete the following tasks:
Additional assignments and/or required readings:
University of Colorado /Department of Theatre & Dance
Dance Internship Program
WORK CONTRACT – to be completed by the student & course instructor
Student Name:
*Semester/Year:
Goals
(What do you hope to accomplish and/or learn through this experience?)
Important Dates
Student/Instructor meetings: (date and time)
#1
#2
#3
Student final report due:
Supervisor’s reports due:
Midterm
Final
Signatures
I have read and agreed to the conditions stated above:
Supervisor: _____________________________________ Date: ___________________
Student: _______________________________________ Date: ___________________
Instructor: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________
Director of Dance: ________________________________ Date: ___________________
* Course must be registered for and grade given in the semester that the internship takes place.
University of Colorado /Department of Theatre & Dance
Dance Internship Program
Return this form to:
_______________________________ (Faculty Instructor of Record)
Dance Division, University of Colorado
UCB 261, Boulder, CO 80309-0261
Or fax to:
(303) 492-7722
Student Name ________________________________
Organization Name ____________________________
Organization Contact __________________________ Phone __________________________
Please rate your student intern using the following scale:
5= exceptional ability and promise in this field
4= very good work, handled duties responsibly and competently
3= satisfactory work, fulfilled commitments with average ability
2= below average, responsibilities were not met satisfactorily
1= unacceptable, very poor work
Confidence in his/her own abilities and skills
1
2
3
4
5
Completion of his/her responsibilities
1
2
3
4
5
Interpersonal skills
1
2
3
4
5
Self-motivation and initiative
1
2
3
4
5
Punctuality
1
2
3
4
5
Dependability
1
2
3
4
5
Willingness to learn new skills
1
2
3
4
5
Fulfillment of potential
1
2
3
4
5
Did he/she complete agreed upon hours?
______yes
_______no
University of Colorado /Department of Theatre & Dance
Dance Internship Program
Describe the intern’s overall work performance.
Were your expectations of the intern met? If not, please describe.
Was the intern as punctual, dependable and responsible as you would expect a regular
employee to be?
What was the most valuable aspect of having this intern work for you? Would you consider
sponsoring another intern?
Please suggest a letter grade reflective of the overall quality of performance. (A=5, B=4, etc.)
Can you recommend any organizations or individuals that might be interested in sponsoring an
intern in the future? Please list name, address, phone and contact person of organization.
Do you have any suggestions or comments for the Internship Program? Please feel free to
comment on anything this form doesn’t address adequately, use the other side of this paper if
necessary.