Delaware Shakespeare offers apprenticeships for college students who wish to gain professional classical theatre experience prior to graduation. Apprenticeships are held in conjunction with the 2023 Summer Festival. Apprentices work with our professional directors, actors, designers, and staff to gain hands-on experience both on and off the stage.
Overview
PERFORMANCE, DIRECTING, AND STAGE MANAGEMENT APPRENTICES
Performance apprentices appear in supporting roles in the mainstage production, understudy leading roles, and create a pre-show entertainment.
Directing apprentice will assist the director of the mainstage production with the planning of daily rehearsals, serve as another set of eyes and ears for the director in rehearsals, and take notes for the director during runs and tech. The directing apprentice may run small scene rehearsals outside of the main rehearsal and helps the understudies prepare. The directing apprentice also assists in the development of the pre-show, and serves in the box office during the performance run.
Stage Management apprentice will work under the direction of the professional Stage Manager throughout the rehearsal and performance process. The stage management apprentice will attend all rehearsals as an assistant to the SM and will then have the opportunity to “run the deck” backstage.
Performance, directing, and stage management apprentices will be offered a series of Master Classes, with a focus on the unique demands of Shakespearean performance. (We know not all apprentices will be actors, but we feel it’s important that all apprentices have appreciation for the skills it takes to deliver these plays to an audience.)
PRODUCTION APPRENTICES
Four production apprentices will join the process during load-in and tech week, working side-by-side the professional tech staff to create the performance infrastructure for the production at Rockwood Park. During tech week, production apprentices will have the opportunity to shadow a designer or crew member of their choice to learn about a design/tech discipline.
During the run, production apprentices perform daily set-up and strike duties. Some apprentice will serve as run crew, and others will serve as part of the front of house team (ushering, concessions, etc.)
Prior to the official beginning of the apprenticeship, production apprentices will be invited to attend production design meetings.
Stipend
All apprentices receive a stipend of $165/week (four weeks for production apprentices; seven weeks for all other apprentices).
Timeframe
All apprenticeships (besides production) begin at the first rehearsal (June 20, 2023). Production apprenticeships begin during the first day of load-in (July 11, 2023). All apprenticeships run through strike (August 7, 2023).
Rehearsals and performances will be held on nights and weekends. Master classes occur on late afternoons during the first three Wednesdays of the rehearsals.
Production apprentices need to have both daytime and evening availability (daytime availability is focused during the first two weeks of the apprenticeship).
Eligibility
Applicants should be enrolled in a college program. It is not necessary to be a Theatre major.
Del Shakes is still developing its COVID safety plans for 2023. Protocols will likely include periodic COVID testing and mask wearing during rehearsal periods. Applicants should be willing to follow the COVID protocols.
Delaware Shakespeare does not offer housing. All applicants should be able to provide their own local housing and transportation.
To Apply
All applicants should please submit a resume, two references (contact information only, no reference letter required), and a cover letter explaining their interest in becoming a Delaware Shakespeare Apprentice before March 29, 2023.
Performance Apprentice applicants should please also include a headshot.
Materials can be sent to apprentice@delshakes.org.
An interview/audition may be granted upon receipt of letters and resumes. Auditions/interviews will be held in Wilmington on April 1, 2023.
Nancy B. Lynch, Delaware Shakespeare’s board president from 2005-2020, is a passionate believer in theatre education. The College Apprentice Program was named in her honor in 2020.
