BUFFALO, N.Y. : Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) has announced the RLTP Bridge Program, a 16-week paid internship opportunity for students interested in a career in the arts.  

The internship, sponsored by RLTP, is specifically designed to provide students and early artists of color with hands-on experience that will nurture their long-term careers in the theatrical industry. The internship will run Jan. 2023 through May 2023. 

The program will offer multiple concentrations such as directing, acting, playwriting, design, and stage management, and students will choose one area as their focus. The goal is for students to have an increased awareness and appreciation for all areas of theatre with an emphasis on collaboration. Interns will attend weekly meetings with mentors, network with RLTP guest artists of color, and will be paid for their work on production load-ins, load-outs, and front of house duties.

Actor, writer, director, casting agent, and program director Peter Johnson will spearhead the RLTP Bridge Program. The internship will also include collaboration with RLTP ensemble member and Raíces Theatre Company artistic director, Victoria Pérez. (Raíces Theatre Company is currently in residence at Road Less Traveled Theater). 

“In almost 20 years of being immersed in the theatre and film industry, in my hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., I have noticed a lack of artists of color representation in almost all aspects of the industry,” said Johnson in a statement.  “As an artist, a part of my mission is to inspire and provide young artists with resources on how they can be successful in this competitive industry. It is my personal goal to provide young artists of color a professional platform that will give them “hands on experience” with mentorship and guidance that will eventually lead to more career opportunities for artists of color in this industry.” 

Applications for the RLTP Bridge Program are open until Nov. 27.