Stages Theatre Company in the Hopkins Center for the Arts

TEEN MENTORSHIPS


Guiding youth drawn to careers in the theatre arts

Welcome to Our Teen Mentorship Program

Ages 16-19

Our Teen Mentorship Program is designed for youth ages 16-19 who are interested in exploring careers in the theatre arts beyond acting.



• Our emphasis is on mentoring youth in a professional setting and with mentors who are working professional theatre artists.

• Our focus is on guiding youth to explore the opportunities available for pursuing a theatre career and to provide quality assistance in how to pursue it.

• Our aim is to provide guided exploration for teens who are interested in or curious about a career in the theatrical arts.

The first opportunity in the theatre that most young people see is on stage as an actor – whether they are in a show or see a show. The reality though is that most jobs in the theatre are not on stage, but in the directing, designing, writing, composing, choregraphing, fundraising, and marketing of a show. Our Teen Mentorship Program was created to help youth discover and traverse these career paths

To be considered for participation in a mentorship opportunity students need to apply through our online application process. Each selected participant receives a $400.00 STIPEND at the end of their mentorship.



OUR PROGRAM HAS TWO MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR BOTH PROGRAMS IS 11/8/2021
 
Emerging BIPOC Designers Mentorship (BIPOC AGES 16-19)
First Job in the Arts Mentorship (AGES 16-19)
PROCEDURES + COVID SAFETY POLICIES
 
Design at Stages Theatre Company

Emerging BIPOC Designers Mentorship

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11/8/2021



We are excited to introduce our brand-new initiative specifically developed for young BIPOC like yourself who are drawn to a career in theatrical design (costuming, sets, props, sound, lighting, or multimedia design), and giving you an opportunity to work in mentorship with a professional designer. Throughout this program, you will work with your mentors as they develop their design for an actual production, giving you real world experience in the theatrical arts. This mentorship, along with the other trainings provided by the program will serve as an early step into a design career for you. 

Completion of this mentorship will come with a PAID stipend of $400.

Emerging BIPOC Designers Gain the Opportunity To:

• One-on-one apprenticeship with a professional designer, collaborating on the design of a show with them

• Receive professional training, preparing you to enter the design field of your choice

• Develop and showcase a theatrical design for a show with your cohort


Emerging BIPOC Designer Responsibilities Are:

• Logging 30 work hours over the course of the program. These may come from one-on-one work, cohort meetings, attending rehearsals, and other opportunities. (These hours will be determined in consultation with your mentor and STC Teen Program Manager André Samples.)

• Attending the scheduled cohort meetings on December 4th, January 29th, March 19th, and May 14th. These meetings will take place from 10:00am – 11:00am. (These dates and times are subject to change.)

• We will also hold an end of year celebration on Sunday, May 15th, 2022 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.


Who is Eligible?

Young BIPOC students ages 16-19 who are interested in exploring an area of theatrical design as a potential career. Self-transportation is a plus, but we will work with you to accommodate any transportation needs. No commitment to your chosen area of design beyond this program is required.


How many positions are available?

This year we will award up to 6 mentorships for the 2021-2022 season. The program will run from November 1, 2021-May 31, 2022.

How to Apply

1. Complete the Online Application Form – DEADLINE NOVEMBER 8, 2021

• Please provide answers to questions below. You may type your answer into the boxes, or send an audio or video recording of your responses to STC Teen Program Manager André Samples at asamples@stagestheatre.org

2. Submit a Resume or Portfolio (optional) - Although a resume or portfolio is not required, it can enhance your application. Please upload your supporting documents (as a PDF) within the application below.

3. Be Interviewed – After applications are reviewed a select number of applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with Jeannine Coulombe (FJA Coordinator) and/or André Samples (Teen Program Manager) about your interest and candidacy in this program.

4. Up to SIX selected – After the interview process, up to six candidates will be selected from the interview pool to participate in the mentorship program.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

November 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022


Thank you to everyone who applied! The deadline to apply was 11/8/21. Applicants will be contacted shortly.



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First Job in the Arts at Stages Theatre Company

First Job in the Arts

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11/8/2021



Stages Theatre Company’s First Job in the Arts Mentorship is specifically geared toward emerging artists ages 16-19, (high school juniors and seniors or graduates taking a gap year) who have an interest and desire to explore pathways to careers in professional theater on all sides of the stage.

First Job Artists are paired with a professional theatre artist in their chosen area to complete a 30+ hour customized mentorship. The mentorship needs to be completed between November 1, 2021-June 30, 2022.

First Job Artists receive real-world experience, tangible on-the-job training, and connections to the professional theatre world outside of high school.

First Job in the Arts staff work to bridge the gap between academic theatre and creating a viable, professional career in a theatre or non-profit setting.

Completion of this program will earn the apprentice a PAID stipend of $400.

FJA Artists Gain the Opportunity To:

• Receive real-world work experience with an individually customized plan geared to the student’s particular area of interest or desired exploration

• Enhance their resume and portfolio.

• Earn a letter of reference from their STC mentor

• Broaden their artistic experiences

• Develop applicable real-world skills

• Improve their ability to be hired across administrative and artistic areas

• Become more independent and self-confident while learning how to balance work and fun

FJA Artist Responsibilities Are:

• All FJA Artists are mentored for at least 30 hours. These hours are decided upon by the FJA Artist, their STC mentor, and Jeannine Coulombe (FJA Coordinator)

• After getting to know you and what you want to learn during your FJA mentorship, an individualized schedule is created that reflects your interests

• Our guarantee is that you experience your chosen focus from all perspectives. For instance, a Design FJA artist will attend production meetings, work on creating the aesthetic world alongside their mentor, do some shop time, attend a designer run, communicate with the design team, see the final product at the opening of the show, and even attend the opening night party as a team member. Each focus has a different progression to meet the needs of the specific apprentice and their mentor

• All FJA Artists attend at least one STC show (complimentary tickets)

• FJA Artists and mentors meet as a cohort to share information

Who is Eligible?

Students ages 16-19 with a demonstrated interest in theatre arts and an ability to work independently in a professional theater environment. Students must be able to arrange transportation. (Public transit assistance is available.) College students are ineligible.


How many positions are available?

STC will award up to SIX First Job in the Arts Mentorships for the 2021-22 season. All mentorships must be completed by June 30, 2022.

How to Apply

1. Complete the Online Application Form – DEADLINE NOVEMBER 8, 2021

2. Submit a Resume or Portfolio (optional) - Although a resume or portfolio is not required, it can enhance your application. Please upload your supporting documents (as a PDF) within the application below.

3. Be Interviewed – After applications are reviewed a select number of applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with Jeannine Coulombe (FJA Coordinator) and/or André Samples (Teen Program Manager) about your interest and candidacy in this program.

4. Up to SIX selected – After the interview process, up to six candidates will be selected from the interview pool to participate in the mentorship program.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

November 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022


Thank you to everyone who applied! The deadline to apply was 11/8/21. Applicants will be contacted shortly.



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TUITION ASSISTANCE
FOR CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Through our Open Door Program, we offer need-based tuition assistance for our fee-based programs, such as our Winter and Summer Theatre workshops, Creative Play Academy and Acting Conservatory.
For more information about free or reduced cost tickets, bus subsidies and Tuition Assistance contact us at (952) 979-1111 or email opendoorprogram@stagestheatre.org
Please fill out the Tuition Assistance Application via the button below.
 
Tuition Assistance Application


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