Regular readers of Soul Food already know that Pacific Theatre has an ongoing apprenticeship program aimed at fostering the talent of emerging theatre artists. Many of our apprentices go on to have professional careers as actors, writers, producers, designers, theatre administrators, and more. We are now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 season! If you are interested in applying, or know someone who might be, the info is below, and on our website.
Pacific Theatre offers a full-time professional apprenticeship program for emerging artists who are looking to build a bridge between academia and the professional marketplace. The Company Apprenticeship is composed of three primary, intersecting categories of activity:
Administrative
A significant portion of the apprentice’s time will be spent working on assigned administrative tasks, mostly in the capacity of Box Office and Front-of-House staff. These hours will ebb and flow as the production cycle progresses, often culminating in weeks of long administrative hours followed by open weeks to work on artistic endeavours.
Production
Apprentices will be periodically required by the Production Manager to participate in crew calls for lighting, construction and strike. Such calls will take place outside of scheduled administrative time.
Artistic
Depending on the specific needs of the season, apprentices are invited to participate artistically in mainstage productions both in areas they are interested in pursuing, and areas which will round out the apprentice’s experience in professional theatre. This work may include: acting or understudying in a mainstage production, training and mentorship sessions with company artists, providing hands-on assistance to costume, lighting and/or set designers, designing lights or sound, assistant stage managing, shadowing a director, props construction, public relations and promotions, etc.
Apprentices will also be charged with collectively producing several ‘second-stage’ projects of their choosing throughout the year. Past examples include one-act plays, 24 Hour theatre festivals, actor showcases, etc. Such projects provide excellent opportunities for aspiring directors, producers and playwrights, as well as actors.
As one can see, the company apprenticeship is designed to develop new graduates holistically, through a process of mentorship and hands-on experience, with the aim to equip such emerging artists in all of the different aspects of working in professional theatre. These ‘Renaissance Persons’ should exit the program with the marketable skills to succeed in any number of industry positions, and with a deep, thorough understanding of the aesthetics, philosophies and tasks involved in the creation of meaningful, viable and excellent theatre.
Apprenticeships generally span eleven months from August to June. A modest living stipend is available, depending on the needs of the individual. The application deadline for the 2011-2012 season is March 15, 2011. Applicants must send current headshots and relevant resumes (acting, CV, general work experience, etc), along with a letter of intent detailing their reasons for applying and what they hope to get out of a company apprenticeship.
Submissions should be made to Alison Chisholm, apprentice recruiter, at alison@pacifictheatre.org, or by mail to:
Alison Chisholm
Pacific Theatre
1440 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, Canada
V6H 1M8
Phone: 604.731.5483
Fax: 604.733.3880
Box Office: 604.731.5518
Email: alison@pacifictheatre.org
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