Camille A. Brown, originally from Queens, New York, is a prolific choreographer whose works reexamine history through the lens of a modern black female perspective. At the helm of Camille A. Brown & Dancers, she leads her company through excavations of ancestral stories in ways that connect with contemporary culture. Over the past decade, Brown has received numerous awards for her bold and timely work, including the Princess Grace Award, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award.

Over the course of the 2018/2019 season, Duke Performances will present Brown’s trilogy on African American identity, comprised of three evening-length pieces of dance theater: ink (2017), BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play (2015), and Mr. TOL E. RAncE (2012). By offering multiple presentations by a single visionary artist, Duke Performances aims to create opportunities for sustained engagement with Brown, her company, and her work that will allow it to resonate broadly on campus and within the Durham community — through events and programs such as social dance classes, public conversations, teaching artist engagements with local high schools, and on-campus class visits.

To assist in various projects connected to this unique yearlong residency, Duke Performances seeks ambitious, thoughtful, creative, organized, and detail-oriented individuals who are especially interested in community engagement programming within the context of a performing arts organization. Interns will work with Michaela Dwyer, Community Engagement Coordinator at Duke Performances, and Tina Vasquez, Triangle-based racial equity and organizational development consultant, as well as other members of the Duke Performances team.

This project seeks interns who are available and willing to contribute to this project for the full academic year (September 2018–April 2019, with the exception of university holidays and breaks). A commitment of 4-6 hours per week is requested. Interns will be awarded a certificate upon completion of this intensive yearlong experience. Internships are paid.

Responsibilities

• Assist in supporting Duke Performances’ team with community-based events, including social dance classes, teaching artist engagements in Durham Public Schools, public conversations, as well as campus-based class visits
• Assist in formulating appropriate documentation and evaluation methods to span the residency, including qualitative and quantitative surveys and focus groups
• Synthesize engagement documentation into reports that can be referred to by Duke Performances in developing future community engagement programming
• Assist in outreach efforts to various community groups engaged in the residency and facilitate group ticket purchasing
• Assist Duke Performances team with promotional efforts related to the residency

Skills/Knowledge

• Excellent time management, planning, and organizational skills
• Well developed interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral
• Creative approaches to problem-solving
• Enthusiasm for community- and publicly-engaged work
• Experience and/or interest in programming documentation and evaluation
• Experience and/or interest in participatory research
• Knowledge of and interest in non-profit arts administration; knowledge of and interest in dance a plus

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at Duke (priority) or elsewhere

Application Deadline: Friday, September 7; earlier submissions encouraged.

• Please send cover letter and resume to Michaela Dwyer, Community Engagement Coordinator at Duke Performances: michaela.dwyer@duke.edu