The 2026 interns are Lorenzo Hilliard and Tishaun Turner, both Musical Theatre majors enrolled in Italian classes.
Are you a Montclair State University student interested in a paid internship that allows you to perform in an immersive musical presented in an enchanted archeological site in Sicily in Summer 2026? Are you eager to spend two months in a beautiful town full of history (from the Greek-Roman era through the Arab-Norman times all the way to the late Baroque and Rationalist periods), very close to gorgeous beaches, surrounded by a charming countryside, and boasting a delicious food tradition? If so, consider this unique opportunity.
After the success of the 2025 edition, we are pleased to announce that the international internship in the Italian musical theater company Savatteri Produzioni will be offered again in 2026. Montclair State University students will be given the chance to be part of a unique musical production (Il Risveglio degli dei – The Reawakening of the Gods) inspired by Greek mythology and set in the magical Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily at dawn. Students will be fully involved in the activities of the company (rehearsals, targeted classes, site visits, social gatherings) and be given the chance to be part of other productions depending on the 2026 summer calendar. At the same time, this will constitute a full cultural and language immersion in a welcoming mid-size town where the students will become “locals” in a short period of time by enjoying the art, history, landscape, and gastronomy of the area.
To read about the impact of this enriching experience from a professional and personal point of view, see the 2025 RECAP WITH PHOTOS AND VIDEO.
The internship starts in late June, entails rehearsals for roughly a month, and then a series of ten shows ca. on-site performances in Italian all the way until late August.-early Sept. The internship’s main sponsor (Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies) covers airfare and public transportation airport transfer (up to $1,200) and supporting funds for accommodation ($800) for a total of $2,000 in the form of a scholarship for tuition reduction, while Savatteri Production offers a partial stipend ($600 roughly, depending on the currency exchange and the number of shows) – see notes below for more details about the financial aspects. Thanks to our newly launched agreement with international-mobility agency Nexo Sicilia, MSU students will also have the option to attend a weekly meeting in Italian and one monthly cultural activity in the area with Erasmus students from all over Europe who choose Agrigento for an international internship.
Eligibility:
- Senior students are NOT eligible since they will not be matriculated in Summer 2026 (university-related funding can only be used for matriculated students).
- Priority will be given to students who speak Italian, have taken Italian classes, and plan on doing so in May-June 2026 and beyond as part of their degree at Montclair State University. Why is this requirement in place? The show is presented in Italian and the company runs the rehearsals in Italian. While English is spoken by some members of the company and in the town of Agrigento at large, Italian will be the language used during the stay in Sicily. This is the great parallel opportunity offered by this internship: both professional and linguistic growth that allows for deeper cultural experiences and human connections.
Note that students selected for the Reading will not need to audition for the internship. They just need to communicate their interest in being considered for the internship by filling out the INTERNSHIP APPLICATION FORM by April 5.
For questions, contact Dr. Teresa Fiore at fiorete@montclair.edu
INFO FOR SELECTED STUDENTS:
1. The students pay up front for travel and then receive the money as a transfer into their MSU student account once they complete the class requirement. The rent this year will be paid directly by MSU, and the stipend is paid once the series of shows in Agrigento is over.
2. There are direct flights from Newark and JFK to Sicily (both Catania and Palermo airport equidistant from Agrigento), but flights with one stop are less expensive. Agrigento can be reached via direct bus from Palermo or Catania airports for roughly $15 each way.
3. A shared room with another student in an apartment in the historical center of Agrigento costs $280 per month utilities included, while a single room costs $400 per month utilities included.
4. Your U.S. passport must be valid for the entire duration of the stay.
5. Register in the “Non-Credit Internships” program built on our StudioAbroad portal (contact Jess Epstein, Advisor for CHSS programs) in order to take care of the three points below:
A. Required travel and insurance plan: Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions “Single Trip Platinum” (around $15 USD per week). It is an out-of-pocket very affordable but high quality plan that covers medical emergencies, medi-vac, evacuation due to terrorism or natural disaster, and repatriation of remains.
B. Download AlertTraveler and activate push alerts for local dangers while in Sicily.
C. Register with the state department through S.T.E.P.
Marco Savatteri is a musical theater playwright, director, and composer. Originally from Agrigento, he holds a a degree in Modern Literature from La Sapienza University in Rome. In his native Sicilian town, he is the founder of the school La Casa del Musical, the Artistic Director of Savatteri Produzioni and the coordinator of Innovative Productions at the Pirandello Theater. Inspired by the cultural heritage of Sicily and the Mediterranean, his site-specific and immersive shows have been presented throughout Italy and abroad with a diverse team of professional performers.
Montclair State University students who participated in the first edition of this international internship in 2025.
Read about:
This internship is sponsored by the Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies and the Savatteri Produzioni , in collaboration with the Italian Program (World Languages and Cultures Dept.) in CHSS, the Cali School of Music and the Musical Theatre Program (Theatre and Dance Dept.) in CART, and the the Office of Academic International Initiatives. It relies on the services of the international-mobility agency Nexo Sicilia of Agrigento for the logistics and optional cultural activities.
This internship and the broader international intercollege initiative reflects the Expand Reach and Amplify Impact commitment of Montclair State University’s mission: “Increase global engagement by creating international experiences, broadening access to Montclair programs and promoting a global mindset.”
Short link: tinyurl.com/2026InternshipReawakening