Position:

Bembé Workshop & Production Assistant (through MKE REC Arts Internship Program)

*Only open to Ages 15-18, must be a Milwaukee resident or MPS student

Start Date:

June 9, 2025

Deadline to apply:

May 28, 2025

Position Description

Bembé Workshop & Production Assistants will support Bembé's in-person summer programming, including Afro-Latino music and dance workshops for youth and teens, student performances, community events and a large theatrical production, which will include backstage responsibilities and overseeing student performers. Primary duties for this position will also include, but will not be limited to, creative and cultural exploration, playing, singing and dancing with youth and teens in a music and dance workshop setting, supporting youth during workshops, camps and performances, classroom management and support responsibilities, event production and theatrical operations support, stage management/crew responsibilities, and working on creative, cultural art projects. We are looking for reliable, young people who are driven, committed, and open-minded, and have a passion for creativity, cultural performing arts, music/dance education and/or production in a youth mentoring environment. An interest or curiosity in Afro-Latino musical traditions or dance forms is highly encouraged, but not required. Interns will engage in 12-15 hours of arts related activities each week.

Schedule:

Mondays, 5-8:15pm, Wednesdays, 5-8:15pm, Saturdays, 10:30am-3:00pm

*Additional hours for performances and special events.

APPLY HERE

ABOUT THE MKE REC ARTS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: 
The Arts Internship Program provides high school students with paid internship opportunities to explore careers in the arts while also gaining practical and applicable job skills and work experience. Arts Internships span a total of 40-400 hours during the summer, with most organizations offering somewhere between 125-300 hours per internship. Interns are paid a minimum of $12.50 per hour and receive an unlimited WisGo Card for transportation (from their first day of work until the end of summer). Interns are required to attend a program orientation and job readiness trainings.

Mandatory Milwaukee Recreation-led intern trainings and events:

  • Orientation: Friday, June 20 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

  • Check-In: Friday, July 18 | 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  • Final celebration: Friday, August 15 | 3:00 – 7:00 PM

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
To be eligible for the program, you must: 

  • Be at least 16 years of age at the start of work unless the hiring organization indicates that the position or positions are open to students who are 15 years of age or older

  • Be a high school equivalent student (or an out-going senior)

  • Be a resident of the city of Milwaukee OR currently enrolled in a MPS high school

  • Be available to work the internship schedule as determined by the organization and to attend the mandatory trainings/events listed above

HOW TO APPLY:
Read the internship position descriptions (available here) and identify which ones are of interest to you. Then, complete and submit the following materials. You will be asked to upload a letter of interest (for each position you are interested in) and a list of references later in the application and have a parent/guardian sign your application. We recommend completing your letter(s) of interest and list of references BEFORE you begin this application, as you will not be able to save your application and return to it at a later date. You can access a letter of interest template here. 

Required application materials: 

  • Arts Internship Student Application (this application)

  •  A letter of interest stating why you are interested in the internship and what you have to offer the organization (If you are applying for a second year, please specify what skills or projects you would like to expand upon.)

  • A list of 1-3 professional references, including name, relation to you, phone number, and email address (references can include teachers, mentors, coaches, etc.; not family members or friends)

  • Any other information requested by the organization

If you prefer to submit a paper application packet, please contact Erin Fonseca (contact info below) for instructions.

Note: You may apply for multiple internships, but if offered more than one, you may only accept one.

APPLICATION SUPPORT:
Milwaukee Recreation will host two virtual information sessions for high school students to learn more about the program and how to apply, as well as a series of one-on-one application support sessions:

  • Information Session 1: Thursday, April 17 from 4:00 PM via Zoom

  • Information Session 2:  Friday, April 25 from 4:00 PM via Zoom

Sign up for an information session here.

Got questions? Contact Erin Fonseca, Recreation Supervisor - Afterschool Arts & Humanities, at erin@mkerec.net.

APPLY HERE