Remnants of “Jamming Jungle” make-up is visible on their faces as Julia Heynen and George Moorehead talk about their experiences with Theatre on the Hill. Heynen, a senior at Goucher College, and Moorehead, a junior at McDaniel, are among nine interns performing with the summer theatre company.

“I love that I’m dancing again,” says the tall, blonde Heynen, who plays Tabaqui the jackal. “I really missed it.”

And Moorehead – aka Baloo the bear – says the summer has been extraordinary, even if he does work 15 hours a day.

“It’s giving me a stage, giving me an audience – and I’m being paid to do something I love to do,” he says, his voice deep with clear, resonant enunciation.

Their days and evenings are packed with rehearsals and performances. They travel to Carroll County libraries giving young audiences a glimpse of Rudyard Kipling’s classic animal fables before “Jungle Book” opens July 7.

Then it’s off to rehearsals for “Oliver!” – running July 13-Aug. 4 – and the late-night cabarets, “Heard Any Good Books Lately?” and “Singing the Bard.”

By early evening, they’re slipping on their dancing shoes and Old Testament garb for a rousing rendition of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which closes on June 30.

George Moorehead

They love it. It’s a chance to make valuable contacts and friends, to gain that all-important diverse experience, and to be part of a professional acting company – a first for most of the interns. Also interning with Theatre on the Hill this summer are Jessica Behar from McDaniel, Rich Buchanan from Towson University, Jay Gilman and Ashleigh Haddad from Goucher, Benjamin Kingsland from Hopkins, Katie Metz from Shenandoah Conservatory, and Dan Van Why from Wilkes University.

Careers are launched during summers like this, but for now, the interns are here to learn as much as they can about their craft.

“They’re still very much in the learning phase of their careers,” says TOTH producing artistic director and McDaniel theatre professor Elizabeth van den Berg, who put the interns in charge of children’s outreach and educational programs such as the “Jamming Jungle” performances at local libraries.

Van den Berg, in her first summer as TOTH artistic director, took the reins when founder Ira Domser – also a McDaniel theatre professor – retired from producing TOTH.  The season is dedicated to him. She describes theatre as a collaborative art – one that literally takes dozens of talented people to be successful.

Julia Heynen

In this environment, immersed in theatre with professional actors, directors, costume designers, choreographers, set designers and many more, the interns define and refine their craft.

No matter who you are, opening a show on the magnitude of “Joseph” can bring on stress. And van den Berg wasn’t immune. In the days leading up to the opening of “Joseph,” she felt her nervousness mount.

“Not bad nervous – excited nervous,” she says, grinning. “Then we’re off. You get on the rollercoaster and ride the ride.

“We’re right on track – which makes it a good ride.”

Indeed. Only three performances of “Joseph” remain.

Visit the Theatre on the Hill Web site for times and dates of all the shows. For reservations, call the box office at 410-857-2448.