TEEN PROGRAMS
Guiding youth drawn to careers in the theatre arts
Providing comprehensive, youth-powered, theatrical experiences exclusively for high school students in Grades 9-12.
Teen programs are designed to provide arts access for all teens - fostering passion for those interested in theatrical careers, and high-quality arts engagement for those who are curious to try something new.
Here's what we offer!
ALSO: Seeking Interns for Summer Theatre Workshops
In order to support Stages Theatre Company’s robust theatre education program, Stages will be hiring student interns, rising high school juniors up through seniors in college (or age equivalent) to serve as model students and administrative and classroom support for Summer Theatre Workshops running from mid-June through mid-August.
PIZZA & PLAYWRIGHTS:
A New Works Series
Grades 9-12
See a play in process. Eat pizza. Meet the creators.
Get behind the scenes with the highly acclaimed, national and local playwrights & Twin Cities’ theatre makers bringing this season’s most exciting new works to life. In partnership with the University of Minnesota, History Theatre, Theater Mu, and Yellow Tree Theatre, high school students will have an insiders’ look at up to three new plays in process (rehearsal, preview or performance), and join the playwrights and other theater creators over pizza to discuss the writing and development process.
Registration in advance is required,
space is limited!
Register for one,
or all of the following productions:
2023/2024 PIZZA & PLAYWRIGHT LINE-UP
History Theatre and Theater Mu’s
Blended 和 (Harmony):The Kim Loo Sisters
by Jessica Huang and Jacinth Greywoode
WEDNESDAY, April 24, 5pm-7:30pm
History is full of forgotten or nearly forgotten figures. People who were vital and relevant in their time, but have become footnotes in the present. How do we bring those people back to life, back to relevance? Particularly those from historically marginalized groups. Take in a rehearsal of the new musical, Blended 和 (Harmony):The Kim Loo Sisters, then have some pizza and a discussion with playwright Jessica Huang and composer Jacinth Greywoode to dig into the process of bringing the story of these sisters from Minnesota to the stage.
FEE: $15 or Pay What You Can
WEDNESDAY, April 24, 5pm-7:30pm at HISTORY THEATRE - 30 10th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
Yellow Tree Theatre’s
ONCE UPON A TIME… JOSEPHINE BAKER!
by Austene Van
SUNDAY, May 19, 3:00-5:00PM at YELLOW TREE THEATRE
Theater is a way for us to explore the real through the unreal. Even when the subject comes from history, we need to imagine conversations and scenarios to explore what really happened. Come have some pizza and a discussion with Yellow Tree Theatre’s Artistic Director Austene Van as she brings her new biographical play about the iconic Josephine Baker to life. See how the company delves into the process during a rehearsal, and hear from Van about how she birthed this production.
FEE: $15 or Pay What You Can
SUNDAY, May 19, 3:00-5:00PM at YELLOW TREE THEATRE - 320 5th Ave SE, Osseo, MN 55369
QUESTIONS? Contact André Samples at asamples@stagestheatre.org
PAST EVENTS:
The University of Minnesota’s THE MOTHER - A ROCK MUSICAL
conceived by Luverne Seifert and students
TUESDAY, February 13
The Jungle Theater’s DINNER FOR ONE by Christina Baldwin
TUESDAY, December 5, 2023
Stages Theatre’s THE DAY YOU BEGIN by Jacqueline Woodson
SATURDAY, October 14, 2023
Guthrie Theater’s FOR THE PEOPLE by Ty Defoe & Larissa FastHorse
SUNDAY, September 24, 2023
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TEEN MENTORSHIPS
Ages 16-19
Stages Theatre Company's Teen Mentorship Program is designed for youth ages 16-19 who are interested in exploring careers in the theatre arts beyond acting, by partnering with mentors who are working theatrical professionals.
The first opportunity in the theatre that most young people get 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, choreographing, 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 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.
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR 2024/2025 is MAY 6, 2024.
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2023-2024 First Job in the Arts Mentorship Students
In alphabetical order
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Emerging BIPOC Designers Mentorship
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 6, 2024
Stages Theatre Company’s Emerging BIPOC Designers Mentorship is specifically developed for young BIPOC who are drawn to a career in theatrical design (costuming, sets, props, sound, lighting, or multimedia design), giving you an opportunity to work in mentorship with a professional designer.
Throughout this program, you will work with your mentor as they develop their design for an actual production, giving you real world experience in the theatrical arts.
This mentorship, along with the other training 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 Access To:
• One-on-one apprenticeship with a professional designer, collaborating on the design of a show with them.
• Professional training, preparing you to enter the design field of your choice.
• An inside look at a professional production, including designer meetings, tech week, and more.
Emerging BIPOC Designer Responsibilities Are:
• Working with your mentor to complete a series of design tasks that give you an overview of the theatrical design process. A schedule for this work will be developed with you, your mentor, and André Samples (Teen Program Manager). Expect to spend around 30 hours completing this work.
• Attending monthly cohort meetings on the third Saturday of each month September-May from 10:00-11:30.
Who is Eligible?
BIPOC students ages 16-19 in high school or on a gap year 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?
Between both teen mentorships (Emerging BIPOC Designers and First Job in the Arts) we will award up to 15 mentorships for the 2024-2025 season. Each program will receive at least 6 placements. The mentorships run from July 2024-June 2025.
How to Apply?
1. Complete the Online Application Form – DEADLINE MAY 6, 2024. 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 André Samples (Teen Program Manager) about your interest and candidacy in this program.
4. Mentorships Selected – between 6-9 positions will be awarded for this specific mentorship.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
July 2024 - June 2025
Selection Criteria:
In our selection process we will be considering several factors. The primary criterion for our cohort will be variety. We will need to select participants from different areas of interest (i.e. directors, costume designers, education, etc.) in order to balance the workload for our staff. We will also be looking to create a cohort that is diverse from a racial perspective, a gender perspective, an experience perspective, and comes from across the Twin Cities’ metro area.
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First Job in the Arts
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 6, 2024
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.
As a First Job Artist you are paired with a professional theatre artist to receive real-world theatrical 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 mentorship will come with a PAID stipend of $400.
FJA Artists Gain Access To:
• Real-world work experience with an individually customized plan geared toward your particular area of interest or desired exploration.
• Professional training, preparing you to enter the theatrical world.
• An inside look at a professional production, including designer meetings, tech week, and more or the administrative side of theater.
FJA Artist Responsibilities Are:
• Working with your mentor to complete a series of tasks related to your area of interest, giving you an overview of the work from a professional perspective. A schedule for this work will be developed with you, your mentor, and André Samples (Teen Program Manager). Expect to spend around 30 hours completing this work.
• Attending monthly cohort meetings on the third Saturday of each month September-May from 10:00-11:30.
Who is Eligible?
Students ages 16-19 in high school or on a gap year who are interested in exploring behind the scenes careers in theater. Self-transportation is a plus, but we will work with you to accommodate any transportation needs. No commitment to your chosen area of theater beyond this program is required.
How Many Positions are Available?
Between both teen mentorships (Emerging BIPOC Designers and First Job in the Arts) we will award up to 15 mentorships for the 2024-2025 season. Each program will receive at least 6 placements. The mentorships run from July 2024-June 2025.
How to Apply?
1. Complete the Online Application Form – DEADLINE MAY 6, 2024 - 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 André Samples (Teen Program Manager) about your interest and candidacy in this program.
4. Mentorships Selected – between 6-9 positions will be awarded for this specific mentorship.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
July, 2024 - June, 2025
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APPLICATION
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 6, 2024.
Applicants will hear from us in Mid to late May to schedule an interview.
PLEASE READ THIS STATEMENT BEFORE APPLYING AND SIGN BELOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE READ THIS STATEMENT: If you have a RESUME or PORTFOLIO you'd like to submit to support your consideration for a Teen Mentorship, please upload it in the appropriate line item. All Teen Mentorships will occur between July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. All Teen Mentorships are customized to the schedule and specialty of each mentee. Attendance to all agreed upon meetings and rehearsals for mentees and their professional mentors is crucial. Unexcused absences will not be tolerated. -The stipend for a Teen Mentorship is $400.00 and is paid upon completion of the agreed upon criteria established at the beginning of the mentorship. -By signing below, you are acknowledging that you have read all statements and are submitting your application with all intentions of being able to fulfill the requirements. If so, sign below! *
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