DSF offers apprenticeships for college students who wish to start their careers before graduation. Apprentices work with the Festival’s professional directors, actors, designers, and staff to gain hands-on experience both on and off the stage.

Overview

Performance apprentices appear in supporting roles in the mainstage production, understudy leading roles, and, new for 2012, will be key players in creating a pre-show audience interaction experience.

Directing apprentice will assist the director 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.

Production apprentices work with designers to help create costumes, props, sets, and lighting elements of the production. The Apprentice stage manager (SM) will work under the direction of the professional Stage Manager throughout the rehearsal and performance process. The Apprentice SM will attend all rehearsals as an assistant to the SM and will then have the opportunity to “run the deck” backstage.

Management apprentices work with the Front-of-House team to organize marketing campaigns, coordinate volunteers, sell tickets and merchandise, and provide an enjoyable audience atmosphere.

All apprentices will be offered a series of Master Classes with possible topics ranging from administration, unions, technical instruction, voice & movement technique, and how to get a job. ALL APPRENTICES will work side-by-side with the professional DSF technical staff to perform set-up and strike duties each day of tech and performances.

All apprentices receive a modest stipend.

Timeframe

All apprenticeships (besides management) begin June 12, 2012 – the first day of rehearsal for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Rehearsals will be held on nights and weekends. Management apprenticeships begin July 7, 2012. Midsummer runs July 13-28, 2012 – with a tour performance in southern Delaware on August 2, 2012. During the run, apprentices need to have both daytime and evening availability.

Eligibility

Applicants should be enrolled in a college program. It is not necessary to be a Theatre major.

DSF 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, and a cover letter explaining their interest in becoming a DSF Apprentice before February 17, 2012.

Performance Apprentice applicants should please also include a headshot.

An interview may be granted upon receipt of letters and resumes. Performance Apprentice candidates will be asked to audition in person. Audition/interview time and location: Saturday, February 25 at J. Alexander Productions, 301 A Street, Suite B, Wilmington, DE. Auditions: 10:00am-12:30pm. Interviews (and Acting callbacks): 1-4:30pm.

Apply via email: apprentice@delshakes.org

Apply via mail:

Delaware Shakespeare Festival
ATTN: College Apprentice Program
PO Box 7567
Wilmington, DE 19803

No phone calls please.