The Main Street Arts Council (MSAC), based in Hoxie, is pleased to announce 12 paid student internship positions to assist with the facilitation of its 2026 Main Street Summer Theater Festival, held across multiple communities in northwest Kansas.
Funding for these positions is made possible through MSAC’s acceptance into the Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth Summer Internship Program.
The 2026 Main Street Summer Theater Festival will feature six full-scale youth musical productions, presented in partnership with host communities throughout the region:
- Atwood – Shrek Jr.
- Colby – Alice in Wonderland Jr.
- Goodland – The Lion King Jr.
- Hoxie – Moana Jr.
- Oakley – Frozen Jr.
- Quinter – The Little Mermaid Jr.
A total of 12 interns will be selected, with two interns assigned to each show location. While interns will be based primarily in one community, they will assist with all six productions throughout the region during the course of the summer festival.
The internship positions are paid at a rate of $12.00 per hour and are part-time, totaling approximately 226 work hours over the summer. Preference will be given to students who are able to reside in or near their assigned show location. A valid driver’s license is preferred, as travel throughout northwest Kansas is required; accommodations will be made when possible for those without a license.
Interns will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of producing youth musical theater. Responsibilities include assisting with rehearsals, youth engagement, set and prop construction, costuming, lighting and sound, backstage operations, marketing, ticket sales, fundraising efforts, and other behind-the-scenes elements essential to mounting full-scale productions.
To be eligible, applicants must be high school or college students (age 16 or older) from or attending school in northwest or north-central Kansas. Eligible counties include Barton, Cheyenne, Cloud, Decatur, Ellis, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, and Wallace.
Participation in the annual Main Street Summer Theater Festival productions is free for all youth ages 5–18, made possible through the generosity of area grant funders, business sponsors, individual donors, and community fundraising efforts. Interns play a vital role in helping ensure these arts opportunities remain accessible to families across the region.
Students must apply online through Nex-Generation by March 1, 2026, at https://nex-generation.secure-platform.com/site.
Additional information about the Nex-Generation internship program can be found at https://www.nex-generation.org/internships.
Full festival details, timelines, and updates will be posted later this spring at www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2026.
For more information and to get involved, visit www.mainstreetartscouncil.com or contact Executive Director Karl Pratt at mainstreetartscouncil@gmail.com.
About the Main Street Arts Council
The Main Street Arts Council is an organization dedicated to promoting the arts, encouraging creativity, serving the arts community, and acting as an advocate for the arts. We strive to be a model organization for the Northwest Kansas region by ensuring access to the arts for all ages, encouraging a community passion for the arts and successfully supporting, partnering, and collaborating with others committed to the arts. Learn more at https://mainstreetartscouncil.com.
About Nex-Generational Round Up for Youth
Our mission is to educate northwest and north central Kansas students about local career opportunities by providing and supporting programs in career development, entrepreneurship, and internship. Through these efforts, we hope to foster a positive sense of community and encourage youth to remain or return home to prosper. Learn more at https://www.nex-generation.org.
