For each production, the Theatre Institute staff develops a study guide for teachers, a tool that extends the production into the classroom curriculum. The guide features a synopsis, vocabulary exercises and background information to prepare students, and very often includes costume sketches and set renderings. Design concepts and technical terms provide students with things to look for at the performance. Study Guides are sent to all teachers making ticket reservations. Internships are individualized, combining academic studies with experiential learning alongside Institute personnel.
Academic credit is earned, as well as valuable practical experience.
Semesters are divided into modules corresponding to the Institute's season schedule. Interns are assigned to different departments during each module, including box office, costumes, education, electrics, stage management, scenery, properties, performance, and public relations. Interns may audition, and are often cast in Institute productions. Internships, except in extremely rare cases, are unpaid. Students from Bennington College, Penn State University, Harvard, Ohio State University, Bard College, the University at Albany, State University of New York at Purchase and Fredonia, New York University, George Washington University and from Germany, France, Jordan and England have come to study at the Institute.