The South African State Theatre is inviting graduates to apply for seven internships in Pretoria. The four advertised roles cover Human Resources, artistic administration, lighting and videography. Each internship lasts 12 months, pays a R5,600 monthly stipend, and requires no previous work experience.
Applications close on 7 October 2026. Applicants can email their documents to jobs@statetheatre.co.za or hand-deliver them to the theatre’s Human Resources Office.
Quick overview
| Position | Posts | Advertised qualification |
| Human Resources Intern | 3 | National Diploma in Human Resources Management |
| Artistic Administrator Intern | 1 | National Diploma in Theatre and Performance |
| Lighting Technician Intern | 2 | National Diploma in Film and Television Techniques |
| Videographer Intern | 1 | National Diploma in Film and Television Techniques |
| Total | 7 |
Location: South African State Theatre, 320 Pretorius Street, Pretoria
Duration: 12 months
Stipend: R5,600 per month
Experience: None required
Closing date: 7 October 2026
The details above come from the four State Theatre adverts supplied for this article. Applicants should check the South African State Theatre website for any subsequent changes before applying.
Which internship should you apply for?
Human Resources Internship — three posts
The Human Resources department is recruiting three HR interns. The advert requires a National Diploma in Human Resources Management and states that no experience is required.
If this is your field, make your qualification easy to identify on your CV. You can also use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to research human resources occupations and qualifications. That research may help you describe relevant coursework and projects, but it does not replace the diploma specified in the advert.
Artistic Administrator Internship — one post
The Artistic department has one Artistic Administrator internship. Applicants need a National Diploma in Theatre and Performance. Previous work experience is not required.
This role may interest graduates who want to learn how the organisational side of a theatre works alongside its creative work. If you have coordinated a student production, helped organise performances or managed genuine project records, consider explaining that experience on your CV. The advert does not, however, list those activities as additional entry requirements.
Graduates exploring a longer-term arts career can browse the University Explorer and the CATHSSETA programmes on the Edupstairs SETA Platform. These are research resources, not alternative application channels for this internship.
Lighting Technician Internship — two posts
The Artistic department is also recruiting two Lighting Technician interns. The stated requirement is a National Diploma in Film and Television Techniques, with no experience required.
Lighting work is closely connected to how an audience sees a performance and how a production communicates mood and focus. Applicants with relevant academic practicals can describe the equipment, productions or technical tasks they actually worked on. Avoid claiming professional experience that you do not have.
For related study and skills pathways, explore film and media programmes through MICT SETA and compare vocational options using the TVET College Explorer. These links support career planning; the State Theatre’s advertised diploma remains the requirement for this post.
Videographer Internship — one post
There is one Videographer internship in the Artistic department. Like the lighting posts, it requires a National Diploma in Film and Television Techniques and does not require previous experience.
If you have produced videos during your studies, you can briefly explain your role in filming, editing or planning them. A portfolio link may help demonstrate work you have genuinely completed, although the advert does not say that a portfolio is compulsory. Applicants interested in this field can also research the Film and Television Production qualification listed on the Edupstairs MICT SETA platform. MICT SETA Programme Guide
Official requirements versus Edupstairs guidance
It is useful to separate what the employer asks for from steps that may help you prepare a stronger application.
| State Theatre advert | Edupstairs guidance |
| Hold the diploma specified for your chosen position. | Put the exact qualification name prominently on your CV. |
| No previous experience is required. | Describe relevant academic projects or practical work truthfully, if you have any. |
| Submit a CV, certified qualification copies and three contactable references. | Check that your references know they may receive a call. |
| Indicate the position you are applying for. | Put the position name in your email subject line or on your hand-delivered application. |
| Apply by 7 October 2026. | Apply early enough to address any document or delivery problem. |
A qualification in a related field is not automatically accepted. The adverts name specific National Diplomas. If the title on your certificate differs, ask the State Theatre to clarify eligibility rather than assuming it qualifies.
How to apply
The four adverts give the same application instructions:
- Choose the position that matches your qualification and state its name clearly in your application.
- Prepare your CV, certified copies of your qualifications, and details for three contactable references.
- Submit the documents by email to jobs@statetheatre.co.za, or hand-deliver them to:
Human Resource Office
The South African State Theatre
320 Pretorius Street
Pretoria
Complete your application before 7 October 2026.
The adverts do not specify an online application form. For announcements or contact details, use the official South African State Theatre website. The theatre states that it will consider applications meeting the criteria and that applicants who receive no response within 20 days after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Explore your next step while applying
A single internship application should not be your entire job search. Edupstairs has several tools that can help you identify an appropriate qualification, understand a career route and find other workplace opportunities:
- Search the Career & Qualification Explorer for careers and qualifications connected to HR, theatre, media and technical production. Edupstairs
- Compare institutions and courses in the University Explorer and TVET College Explorer. Check each institution’s official admission requirements before applying.
- Browse the SETA Platform for sector pathways. Its MICT SETA listings are particularly relevant to film and electronic media, while CATHSSETA covers culture and the arts. SETA programme information does not mean an internship place is currently available.
Recently published internships on Edupstairs
If your qualification does not match these four State Theatre adverts, or you want to make more applications, these recently published Edupstairs articles may be useful. Check each employer’s eligibility rules and live closing status separately.
- HR graduates can read about the Discovery HR TVET Work Integrated Learning opportunity and the Limpopo Department of Education’s 312-post internship programme. The Discovery opportunity targets TVET N6 HR learners; the Limpopo programme has its own residency and qualification conditions. edupstairs.org
- Graduates interested in client communication can review the VML Client Service Internship in Durban. Apply Now
- Applicants considering administration and project coordination can investigate the FullServe Services Tender Internship, which has distinct degree and driving requirements.
- Graduates exploring other sectors can compare the PwC Procurement Managed Services Graduate Internship and Valterra Platinum Mechanical Engineering Internship.
For new posts beyond these examples, visit the Edupstairs internships page.
Tools you may find useful:
- Money Finder
- SETA Platform
- RDP / BNG Housing Eligibility Checker
- SASSA Grant Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SA Bursary & NSFAS Eligibility Checker
- UIF Benefits Eligibility Checker and Payment Estimator
View Other Employment Opportunities here
Need Help?
Edupstairs advice
Match your application to one of the exact advertised position titles and check that the diploma on your qualification document fits that role. Include the documents and references requested in the advert. If you have relevant study projects, describe your own contribution clearly and accurately; no previous employment is required.
Keep a copy of what you submit and continue looking for suitable internships. The linked Edupstairs resources can help you research other routes, but they do not change the South African State Theatre’s requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How many posts are available?
Seven: three in HR, one in artistic administration, two in lighting and one in videography.
Do I need previous work experience?
No. Each of the four supplied adverts states that no experience is required. You must still meet the qualification requirement for the position you select.
Can I apply with Matric only?
The adverts specify a National Diploma for each role. Matric alone does not meet the stated qualification requirement.
Is an N6 certificate enough?
The adverts do not list N6 as an accepted qualification. They specify the relevant National Diplomas. Confirm any uncertainty directly with the State Theatre.
What is the stipend and duration?
The adverts state R5,600 per month for 12 months.
When and where do I apply?
Apply by 7 October 2026 via jobs@statetheatre.co.za or hand-deliver your application to the Human Resource Office at 320 Pretorius Street, Pretoria.
You can also:
- View latest Internships
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- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
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Disclaimer and editorial integrity
This Opportunity Explainer is based on the four South African State Theatre internship adverts supplied for this article. The post counts, diploma requirements, duration, stipend, application channels and closing date are drawn from those adverts. Career descriptions, application tips, education resources and links to other internships are Edupstairs guidance, not additional State Theatre requirements.
Applicants should confirm any update with the South African State Theatre before submitting. Edupstairs does not receive applications or guarantee placement.
EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY
