Apprentice Company
Where are you in your career?
Entering college, university, graduate program or the professional
workplace?
No matter where you are, attaining the skills necessary to
make it in theatre is no easy task. Taking advantage of every
opportunity to develop yourself as a performer, director, designer,
technician or administrator – as a theatre professional
others will want to work with – in a creative environment
is absolutely essential in the performing arts.
An apprenticeship at Flat Rock Playhouse is exactly what you
need to take your education in theatre and expand it into a
career in theatre.
The Vagabond Players were founded in 1936 and from the inception
of the Company, training theatre artists has been a vital part
of the mission. Over the years more than 1,000 students have
benefited form the challenging and rewarding experience of
being an Apprentice on The Rock. Many continue to be a part
of the Company and of the full time staff, 50% started their
career with the Playhouse as Apprentices. The Company of Vagabond
Players believes in growing our own and maintaining lasting
relationships.
The First Year Apprentice
New members to the Company audition/interview for a place in
the program. Once accepted they join a Company of up to sixteen
fellow Apprentices and pay a nominal room & board fee
for the session.
First Year Apprentices…
Audition for non-Equity roles in main-stage productions
-
Perform at The Carl Sandburg National Historic Site located
adjacent to the Playhouse
- Perform at Midnight Studio, the weekly in-house cabaret
- Perform in the annual summer fundraiser
- Develop a showcase
performance
- Attend master classes taught by the Professional
Company
- Earn points toward their Actors’ Equity Association
membership (if desired)
- Receive college credit
(if pre-approved through their school)
- Work in scenic,
lighting, costume, and properties technical crews and PA
for the SM
The Second Year Apprentice
Upon completion of the first year, an Apprentice may be invited
back for a second session. Second Year Apprentices enjoy
all of the performing and learning opportunities but also
assume a role of leadership in the Company. They serve as
Big Brothers/Sisters to the First Year Company and help shape
the experience. A Second Year Apprentice receives a weekly
stipend and is provide room and board.
The Company
If an Apprentice shows exceptional promise and has completed
two Apprentice sessions, they may be invited to be a member
of the non-Equity Company. This is still a position of education,
however the education is focused on making the Company member
a working professional. These Company members are cast in
main-stage roles and work as teachers to the Apprentice Company.
Company members are paid a salary commensurate to experience
and provided room and board.
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