PAW LEADERSHIP COLLECTIVE

The PAW Leadership Collective (PLC) is an internship program designed to give college-aged individuals real world experience working with students in the non-profit arts organization world. ​Internships with Performing Arts Workshops - PAW INC. offer an enriching, career-broadening artistic experience for college students, recent graduates, and young professionals seeking a future career in arts education or non-profit leadership. PAW is committed to professional development and career preparation and strives to make PLC a valuable learning opportunity. Additionally, we hope to continue to build diversity and inclusion onstage and throughout the organization and we especially encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Eligibility: Open to all high school graduates, age 18+ who possess the desire to learn alongside non-profit arts education professionals. Collegiate experience or majoring/minoring in something arts related is a plus, but not required.

PAW LEADERSHIP COLLECTIVE
APPLICATIONS OPENS SPRING 2025!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Throughout this program, PLC Associates will...
  • Receive hands-on experience in non-profit administration
  • Gain valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of a small arts non-profit organization
  • Develop ensemble skills including collaboration and critical thinking
  • Develop leadership skills to assist with future artistic endeavors
  • Work with students of varying age groups
  • Work closely and build professional relationships with PAW's executive, artistic, and seasonal staff
  • Act as an integral member of various workshops in a creative and supportive atmosphere
  • Select an artistic specialization to focus on throughout the week
  • Receive one-on-one mentoring from PLC Staff Mentors

   DUTIES OF PLC ASSOCIATES (including, but not limited to):
  • Attend PAW staff professional development
  • Assist PAW staff members both actively and passively during workshop rehearsals
  • Assist with morning warm-ups
  • Assist with Student Check-Ins
  • Assist with PAW Student supervision during breaks
  • Develop and lead specialization lesson plan alongside PLC Staff Mentor
  • Meet with PLC Staff Mentor bi-weekly for Check-Ins

No two days are the same at Performing Arts Workshops - PAW INC. and the ideal candidate for the PAW Leadership Collective must be willing and able to adapt and take on new projects, be a team player, and always lead with kindness and understanding.

COMPENSATION

Week 1 of PAW pays a stipend of $350.00 per PLC Associate. Week 2 of PAW pays a stipend of $425.00 per PLC Associate. We are unable to offer housing at this time.

WORKSHOP DATES & SPECIALIZATIONS

PLC currently offers two separate weeks of programs, which include different workshops with various student grades levels as noted below. PLC applicants should review the workshop offerings for each week below before applying. 

All workshops will be hosted at Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) in the Lyons Building (58900 Cherry Grove Rd, Dowagiac, MI 49047)

All PLC Associates will be required to attend PAW Staff Training/Professional Development. Dates TBD.

PAW WEEK 1
  • PAW Prints (ages 0 to 3 years)
  • PAW JR. (grades 3rd through 6th)
  • PAW SR. (grades 6th through 12th)

PAW WEEK 2
  • PAW Prints (ages 0 to 3 years)
  • PAW Cubs (grades pre-school through 2nd)
  • PAW MTE* (grades 6th through 12th)​

Please note that PAW Week 2 has our MTE workshop, which has performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Be sure to review the dates and times on the PAW MTE registration page to ensure you're available for all listed times before applying.

SPECIALIZATIONS
The PAW Leadership Collective offers various specializations for our PLC Associates to have as their focused discipline for their culminating lesson plan at the end of the workshop week.

These specializations include:
  • Early Childhood Music Education
  • Early Elementary Music Education (only offered Week 2)
  • Middle/High School Music Education
  • Early Elementary Dance
  • Middle/High School Dance
  • Early Elementary Theatre
  • Middle/High School Theatre
  • Improvisational Acting (only offered during Week 1)
  • Writing (only offered during Week 1)
  • Technical Theatre (only offered during Week 2)
  • Musical Theatre Directing (only offered during Week 2)
  • Musical Theatre Choreography (only offered during Week 2)


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All applicants will be notified of their application status. Upon reviewal of application materials, some applicants will be asked to undergo a short interview with a PAW Staff member. All applicants will be contacted by Mid-May at the absolute latest regarding the status of their application.
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If you have any questions, please email PAW Leadership Collective Coordinator Lena Miles-LoRusso: 
[email protected]

​PAW Inc.
P.O. Box 706
Niles, MI 49120

​[email protected]

PAW Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.