Brighter Boston Helps Next Generation of Stagehands Build Careers

Paid internship program provides real-world experience in live entertainment industry

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The non-profit organization Brighter Boston is helping to build the next generation of stagehands through a paid internship program. Interns gain hands-on experience in various roles like lighting design, audio engineering, and set construction, working at venues like the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. The program has a strong track record, with 91% of past participants now working in live entertainment, and 82% at the same internship sites.

Why it matters

The live entertainment industry relies heavily on skilled stagehands, but breaking into the field can be challenging for young people. Brighter Boston's internship program provides a valuable pathway, giving participants real-world experience and connections to launch their careers in this competitive industry.

The details

Through Brighter Boston, paid interns work on everything from lighting design and electronics to audio engineering, set construction, and more. The hands-on experience allows them to see what it takes to work in the live entertainment industry. One intern, Andy Tran, said the program has "brought me into a lot of places that I wouldn't imagine having the ability to work in at my age." Another intern, Adriana Arias, was drawn to the program's combination of music and building. Live Nation welcomes the interns, seeing them as the future of the industry.

  • Brighter Boston's annual fundraiser is set for Monday, March 16 at the Citizens House of Blues in Boston.

The players

Brighter Boston

A non-profit organization that helps build the next generation of stagehands through a paid internship program.

Andy Tran

A Brighter Boston intern who has gained valuable real-world experience through the program.

Adriana Arias

A Brighter Boston intern who was drawn to the program's combination of music and building.

Mike Marchetti

The Regional Vice President for Production at Live Nation, which welcomes Brighter Boston interns.

Ann Sousa

The Executive Director of Brighter Boston.

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What they’re saying

“It's brought me into a lot of places that I wouldn't imagine having the ability to work in at my age. And I've been able to make a lot of connections.”

— Andy Tran, Brighter Boston Intern (cbsnews.com)

“I think it's really special to be a part of the work that's really overlooked and the hard work that goes into bringing shows in and out so quickly.”

— Andy Tran, Brighter Boston Intern (cbsnews.com)

“They have an opportunity to be those folks who are constructing the equipment on stage, whether it be LED walls, whether it be guitar amplifiers.”

— Mike Marchetti, Regional Vice President for Production at Live Nation (cbsnews.com)

“They build everything. They unload the trucks, they design the show, they set up all the systems, they have a meeting with the performer, so the first thing they do is get to see how exciting and how big putting on a live show can be.”

— Ann Sousa, Executive Director of Brighter Boston (cbsnews.com)

“I really love just the idea of like getting more involved with like concerts and like events in general. And I really loved like building. So, I feel like those two together is like basically what this is.”

— Adriana Arias, Brighter Boston Intern (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Brighter Boston's annual fundraiser is set for Monday, March 16 at the Citizens House of Blues in Boston.

The takeaway

Brighter Boston's internship program provides a valuable pathway for young people to break into the competitive live entertainment industry, giving them real-world experience and connections to launch their careers as the next generation of skilled stagehands.