Information of note:
Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be evaluated on the following three categories
Clarity: The applicant’s ability to articulate interest, with specificity, in the theatrical art form and in their own work as a director and/or choreographer. Their response has clarity of thought, understanding, and focus.
Timing: The applicant speaks to why this is the specific right moment in their career to participate in the given opportunity.
Access & Impact: The applicant articulates why this production opportunity would give them access to knowledge and/or a type of educational theatrical experience they do not currently have.
Each production in the Professional Development Program will have its own health and safety protocols and that anyone selected for an opportunity on a production will be required to agree to and follow the established health and safety protocols before joining a production.
Housing is only included in opportunities where explicitly stated.
Any applicant currently enrolled in a collegiate level institution must have completed their program by the start date of any opportunity they are applying for.
If you do not see an opportunity that feels like a good fit for you in this cycle there will be more opportunities.
Applications for this cycle are now closed.
Observership – Lempicka with Director Rachel Chavkin in New York City on Broadway
This opportunity lets you to be an Observer to Director Rachel Chavkin on Lempicka on Broadway in New York City starting in January 2024
Production Title: Lempicka
Theatre Information (location of the Observership): Rehearsals in Manhattan NYC, tech and previews at the Longacre Theatre
Dates of Fellowship: January 29, 2024 (first rehearsal) – April 14, 2024 (opening night)
Award: $6,000
Additional information about the production: Spanning decades of political and personal turmoil and told through a thrilling, pop-infused score, LEMPICKA boldly explores the contradictions of a world in crisis, a woman ahead of her era, and an artist whose time has finally come. This Observership opportunity would be ideal for an early career director interested in learning more about all aspects of developing new musicals and interested in learning more about doing so in the commercial space.
Learn more about director Rachel Chavkin here and the production of Lempika here.
Observership – Oh Mary! By Cole Escola with Director Sam Pinkleton in New York City
This opportunity lets you to be an Observer to Director Sam Pinkleton on Oh Mary! written by and starring Cole Escola at the Lucille Lortel Theatere in New York City starting in January 2024
Production Title: Oh Mary!
Theatre Information (location of the Observership): Rehearsals in Manhattan NYC, tech and previews at the Lucille Lortel Theatre
Dates of Fellowship: January 2, 2024 – February 8, 2024 (approximate dates)
Award: $3,000
Additional information about the production: “Oh, Mary” is a new ensemble comedy about Mary Todd Lincoln, written by and starring Cole Escola. This Observership opportunity would be ideal specifically for a director who is interested in the ridiculous as it relates to comedy, downtown performance, drag, queer performance and/or hybrid work. This production lives artistically at the intersection of theater, comedy, and something else yet to be defined but to be explored. It is recommended to look up Cole Escola’s work before applying. You can find Cole’s website here.
Learn more about director Sam Pinkleton here.
Fellowship – Las Borinqueñas by Nelson Diaz-Marcanowith Director Rebecca Aparicio at Ensemble Studio Theatre
This opportunity lets you to be a Fellow to Director Rebecca Aparicio on Las Borinqueñas by Nelson Diaz-Marcano at Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York City starting in March 2024
Production Title: Las Borinqueñas
Theatre Information (location of the fellowship): Ensemble Studio Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in New York City. In collaboration with the Latinx Playwrights Circle and Boundless Theatre Company.
Dates of Fellowship: March 4, 2024 (first rehearsal) – April 8, 2024 (opening night)
Award: $3,000
About the show: It’s the 1950’s in Puerto Rico and Maria, Fernanda, Yolanda, Rosa, and Chavela are fighting to live full lives in a changing country with crushing societal rules for women. In the United States, Dr. Gregory Pincus is on the verge of perfecting a miracle that could give them freedom – if only he could find test subjects to participate in preliminary trials. This is the story of the birth control pill and the women who risked everything for the chance to live free.
Additional information: This Fellow opportunity is ideal specifically for someone interested in working on a world premiere new work production of an off-Broadway play and has interest in learning more about developing skills in crafting visual language for a production. The play will be presented in English and Spanish. Though not required, if you are bilingual that is something to share as part of your application.
Learn more about Rebecca Aparicio and the production here.
Fellowship – On Your Feet with Director Marcia Milgrom Dodge at Riverside Theatre
This opportunity lets you to be a Fellow to Director Marcia Milgrom Dodge on On Your Feet at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, FL starting March 2023
Production Title: On Your Feet! The Story of Gloria & Emilio Estefan
Theatre Information (location of the fellowship): Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida
Dates of Fellowship: March 14, 2024 (first rehearsal) – April 9, 2024 (opening night)
Award: $3,000
Additional information: This Fellow opportunity is ideal specifically for someone interested in developing their skills working on musicals at the regional theater level, including script prep, collaboration with designers & theatre staff & performers; staging a large-scale musical in two weeks; etc.
Housing is provided for this opportunity for this fellowship. All are welcome to apply but note that local candidates are encouraged to apply.
Learn more about Marcia Milgrom Dodge here and Riverside Theatre here.
Fellowship – Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V with Director Joseph Haj at The Guthrie Theater
This opportunity lets you to be a Fellow to Director Joseph Haj on Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, MN starting January 2024
Production Title: Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V
Theatre Information (location of the fellowship): The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN
Dates of Fellowship: January 23, 2024 (first rehearsal) – April 13, 2024 (opening night)
Award: $4,000
Additional information: This Fellow opportunity is ideal specifically for someone interested in working on Shakespeare’s history plays and is interested in developing the skills required to work on plays in repertory. You will be a Fellow for all three productions. You will be joining a directing team that includes Associate Director Lavina Jadhwani and Assistant Director Kate Pitt. All are welcome to apply but local directors will be prioritized for this opportunity.