Organization Summary
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company’s (USTC) mission is to mentor, educate, and enrich youth in under-resourced communities through the creation of collaborative original theatre. Our mission powers our vision of a world where all youth are given the opportunities and support they need to succeed.
The Unusual Suspectsmeets talent with opportunity. Founded in the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles uprising, USTC has grown from a small, volunteer-led youth intervention program into an award-winning leader in arts education, youth development, mentorship, and community building. Our participants collaboratively create and perform original stories on stage. Committed to ensuring that all young people have access to the benefits of arts education, we bring our free theatre programs to public schools, juvenile detention facilities, and community-based sites throughout Los Angeles County, providing personalized mentorship and safe spaces for self-expression and community celebration.
Job Summary
The Unusual Suspects’ Communications Department seeks a college-enrolled Content Creation Intern to assist with the development of materials and research over the course of a 400-hour (approximately 10-week) period from August to November, 2026. The Communications department performs organization-wide marketing for programs and fundraising. The Content Creation Intern will be a crucial member of this team, assisting USTC’s Director of Communications and Chief Executive Officer in developing communications materials and analyzing social media/communications result metrics. Through this project, the intern will prepare data-informed, brand driven content, which will be utilized on USTC’s social media, in print, and via e-blasts to boost the organization’s public presence, drive engagement, support fundraising efforts, and bolster program recruitment.
The internship requires a critical thinker with strong communication and video/content creation skills, the ability to understand marketing trends, and a passion for community empowerment and the Arts. The Content Creation Intern position is a unique opportunity to understand the fundamentals of non-profit marketing and communications while exploring how USTC can improve messaging to strengthen relationships with our community and, ultimately, impacting the future growth and awareness of our work. The Intern will utilize video editing, content creation, and written communication skills to successfully complete the project.
All told, the internship will involve the following:
- Develop marketing collateral used to grow our audience while promoting our mission, programs, and fundraising efforts;
- Create copy and content for social media posts on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and— potentially—TikTok;
- Perform message testing to determine which posts performs best organically on social media and via e-blasts;
- Attend, capture, and/or edit video footage and photos of participant performances and other USTC activities to create promotional assets;
- Analyze social media metrics to inform future strategy;
- Cultivate existing partnerships with marketing/social media collaborators, and perform research to establish new brand partners.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Meet with USTC staff members to obtain an in-depth understanding of the organization’s programs and fundraising/marketing campaigns.
- Work closely with the Director of Communications to understand and assess USTC’s current content collection and synthesis methods.
- Assess USTC’s online presence and collaborate with staff to create ideas and implement strategies for new marketing content.
- Attend various Communications and all-staff meetings to learn about ongoing marketing, organizational outreach efforts, and day-to-day non-profit operations.
- Research current trends in marketing and communications across a variety of sources.
- Support communications preparations for the annual fall 2026 fundraising event.
- Prepare a final presentation of project activities and accomplishments at the culmination of the 10-week internship, including recommendations for long-term organizational marketing.
- Other duties related to content creation and communications, as assigned.
This Content Creation Intern’s role is critical to shaping our continued growth and expanding our reach through creative, cohesive storytelling across multiple platforms and for multiple audiences. The ideal candidate is interested in theatre arts and arts education, offers keen attention to detail, and is a creative thinker possessing strong writing, proofreading, organization, communication, project coordination, time- management and research abilities. A journalistic sensibility to create compelling content, including infographics and videos, is desired. We also value candidates who are punctual and flexible.
Eligibility:
This Internship position is open to currently enrolled undergraduate college students who are:
- Currently enrolled as an undergraduate, including in associate degree (community college) programs. Students who will graduate with their undergraduate degree, or transfer from a community college to a four-year institution between May 1 - December 1, 2026, are also eligible.
- A resident of Los Angeles County attending college outside of the region currently attend college in Los Angeles County.
- Must be able to legally work in the United States.
- Applicant be a high school student co-enrolled in college courses, have previously participated in the Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program, already earned a BA/BS/higher degree, or have previous affiliations with USTC.
Desired Skills & Qualifications:
- Detail-oriented, punctual, flexible and conscientious.
- Exceptional communication, organizational, planning, and time-management skills.
- Creative thinker with ability to work independently to complete projects as well as in a team environment with minimal supervision.
- Some knowledge of/interest in Theatre Arts, Arts Education, and Nonprofits,
- Strong commitment to social change through community empowerment and the arts.
- Cultural competency to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Personal ethics align with the vision and values of the The Unusual Suspects organization.
- English/Spanish bilingual proficiency preferred.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
USTC is a 100% remote office. The majority of the Intern’s 400 hours on the project will be spent remotely and/or in the field at program sites throughout Los Angeles County, with dedicated in-person training and check-in sessions with the Internship Supervisor. The Intern’s required equipment and telecommunication support will be provided by USTC. Candidate must be able to travel to the office and program sites.
Applicants for Employment:
All applicants offered employment with The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company will be subject to a Live Scan background check and undergo mandatory training.
Salary, Benefits & Schedule:
- This nonexempt position will work approximately 32-36 hours a week from August to November 2026, with a minimum of 15 hours per week. The specific schedule and number of hours per week will be decided through mutual agreement of the candidate and USTC, but the entirety of the 400-hour internship must be completed between June 1, 2026 and March 1, 2027.
- Candidate must be open to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and, potentially, weekends to attend events.
- Accrued paid sick leave per California law.
- Chosen candidate will be paid $18.47 an hour, for a total of $7,388 for the entire 400-hour internship.
How to Apply
Email your resume and cover letter to . Please include in the subject line of your email the position title and your name (e.g., “Content Creation Intern – Donkey Kong”).
No calls, please.
Additional Information
This position is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture’s Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program.
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. The Unusual Suspects provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Pay: $18.47 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pasadena, CA 91105
