Gloucester Stage Launches New Apprentice Program

The 35 year old non-profit professional Gloucester Stage Company recently announced a new Apprentice Program to provide paid early-career opportunities for recent college graduates who have a degree in an area of theatre specialty. An intensive, hands-on program, the new Gloucester Stage Apprentice program provides eight recent college graduates apprenticeships in playwriting, directing, dramaturgy/education, production/stage management, company management, scenic/technical, costumes, and marketing as well as offering real world experience in a professional theatre. Applications for the program are being accepted now through February 15, 2015. According to Gloucester Stage Executive Managing Director, Jon Wojciechowski, "Gloucester Stage has always been a safe harbor for new plays; now we will become a safe harbor for the artists training to write, design, direct, and produce those plays."

Casey Oakes, Director of Artistic Engagement for Gloucester Stage, who heads the Apprentice Program, is particularly excited about the Playwriting Apprenticeship, "This apprenticeship is unique to our Gloucester Stage program." The Playwriting Apprentice will spend the 2015 Season at Gloucester Stage working on his or her play, while being mentored by professionals. In fall 2015, Gloucester Stage will produce the world premiere of the apprentice's work in a fully-staged, Equity production as part of the GSC's Mainstage season. Oakes points out, "The Playwriting Apprenticeship is a position that was created out of necessity. Where do you go as a young writer? Instead of working in an unrelated job this young playwright will have the opportunity to write and to have their play produced. We're proud of this opportunity for a young, emerging playwright to see his or her work come to fruition. This is all unheard of, and we can't wait to find our playwright."

The Gloucester Stage Apprentice Program combines education, training, and networking to provide the apprentices with the real world professional experience and tools to leave GSC and form their own theatre companies, enter grad school or be fully prepared for a professional theatre career. The eight apprentices will meet together weekly to share ideas and discuss plays proposed from within the group as well as meet regularly with GSC 's experienced theatre professionals. Upon completing a season with Gloucester Stage, apprentices will have created a full season, worked on all Mainstage productions alongside professional theatre makers, and will have been an integral part of running a theatre. Gloucester Stage Executive Managing Director Jon Wojciechowski stresses the importance of the program, "You can't build a theatre to serve future generations without first building the artists who will work in that theatre. Our Apprentice Program does that. Gloucester Stage is making a significant commitment to the future of theatre in the Boston area and theatre in general by launching a hands-on, immersive program to train the next generation of theatre makers."

The Gloucester Stage Apprentice Program requires a commitment from May 2015(upon graduation) until January 2016 and includes a weekly stipend, shared housing at no cost and the opportunity to work on professional productions alongside established theatre professionals. "Our goal is to build a strong program with the most gifted theatre artists in the country," Oakes says, "The Boston area has a dynamic theatre environment and Gloucester Stage plays a prominent role. If you think you have what it takes, I encourage you to apply." Applications are being accepted now through February 15, 2015. For more information on the Gloucester Stage and the Apprentice Program, please visit the website at www.gloucesterstage.com. Gloucester Stage Company is located at 267 East Main Street in Gloucester, MA.