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The PRTC Apprentice program is an experience like no other.
You will become a part of the tightly knit Purple Rose family, gaining
knowledge and experience that you will use for the rest of your career.
You will be surrounded by professional who truly desire to create great
theatre.
At
your fingertips will be daily opportunities to learn, grow and challenge
yourself. There are countless doors here waiting to be opened: your
drive, initiative and ambition are the keys to opening them.
Please note that all apprenticeships are general in nature and encompass administration, production and artistic elements.
The Apprentice program is designed to give each apprentice the opportunity to perform different assignments for every show. The list of rotating production duties include: scene shop assistant, assistant master electrician, production assistant to the stage manager, assistant properties manager, backstage running crew, light board operator, sound board operator, costume maintenance, set maintenance, and house manager. The theatre tries to honor assignment requests, but there is no way to ensure which production positions will be available to each apprentice.
Some apprentices are able to apply for Equity Membership Candidacy, and earn points toward Equity membership. Points can be earned by either serving as production assistant to the stage manager, or occasionally by understudying a role in a main stage production. Opportunities for understudying may be available for exemplary apprentices, but are not guaranteed.
Administrative production assignments include research assistant, box office manager and administrative assistant. In these positions, apprentices truly experience the inner workings of a small nonprofit professional theatre company. Some of the duties in the PRTC offices handled by the apprentices include answering phones, providing customer service, staffing the box office, data entry, production research and providing staff support. Special projects can be arranged to help develop applicable software skills or learn more about important aspects of nonprofit and theatre management. Apprentices are also responsible for the cleaning of the building.
Our mission is to produce new plays and apprentices play a key role
in our script review process. Apprentices participate in our general
auditions and are encouraged to attend table readings or rehearsals whenever
possible. Production positions related to the artistic process include
research assistant, costume assistant and sound technician. In these
roles, apprentices attend production meetings and assist the designers
and production staff in the play development process.
Apprentices attend regular workshops designed around their interests. Past workshops have included such diverse topics as: voiceover; cold readings; monologues; relaxation techniques; grant writing; improvisation, theatre budgeting; marketing yourself as an actor; welding; script analysis, structure and development; yoga and sewing. Apprentices also participate in several of the theatre's very popular classes, including our well-regarded Actor/Director Lab and Voice & Movement.
Apprentices are also offered the privilege to present their own performance on a Monday night on the PRTC stage for an invited audience. Known as "Dark Night," this production is the culmination of months of preparation: from script writing and development to production, the apprentices manage every aspect of this special showcase.
Interested? Download either PDF application provided below or email our administrative office with a postal address to receive an application by mail.
Application with Everything (.5 MB PDF)
Just the Applications, Thanks (.2 MB PDF)
Apprentice applications are accepted year-round. Interviews for the upcoming season's positions will be held in May. Applications received after May 1 will be considered for the following season. All materials must be submitted in hard copy; supporting materials may be sent separately, but incomplete applications will not be considered.