We are thrilled to share that due to additional funding, we are able to extend these two opportunities in an additional Professional Development Program cycle this season. Two additional cycles are still to come for the rest of 23-24 the season.

Information of note:

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.

There will be at least two more cycles this season with opportunities in New York and across the country. If you do not see an opportunity that feels like a good fit for you in this cycle there will be more throughout the year.

Preview application questions here and to read application tips, please click here. The application process is now closed.

Observership – Buena Vista Social Club™ with Director Saheem Ali at Atlantic Theater Company

This opportunity allows someone to be an observer to Director Saheem Ali for his production of Buena Vista Social Club™ at Atlantic Theater Company in New York City starting October 2023

Production Title: Buena Vista Social Club™ 

Dates of Fellowship: October 9, 2023 (first rehearsal) – December 12, 2023 (opening night)

Rehearsal and Performance Location: Manhattan NYC

Award: $5,400

Show summary: Directed by Tony Award nominee Saheem Ali (Fat Ham), this story of the legendary artists who recorded the album features the soul-stirring music of Cuba’s golden age, with a book by Marco Ramirez (Drama Desk Award winner, The Royale), choreography by Patricia Delgado and Tony Award winner Justin Peck (Carousel, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story) and a music team led by Tony Award winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit). Inspired by the Grammy-winning 1997 album.

Additional information: This Observership opportunity is an ideal opportunity for an early career director specifically interested in learning more about directing a world premiere new musical in an intimate setting.

Learn more about Saheem Ali here and more about Buena Vista Social Club™ here.

Fellowship – How To Dance In Ohio with Director Sammi Cannold on Broadway

This opportunity allows someone to be a Fellow to Director Sammi Cannold for her production of How To Dance in Ohio on Broadway in New York City starting October 2023

Production Title: How To Dance in Ohio 

Dates of Fellowship: October 10, 2023 (first rehearsal) – December 10, 2023 (opening night)

Rehearsal and Performance Location: Midtown Manhattan NYC

Award: $6,000

Show summary: Based on the award-winning HBO documentary, How to Dance in Ohio is a heart-filled new musical exploring the need to connect and the courage it takes to step out into the world. At a group counseling center in Columbus, Ohio, seven autistic young adults prepare for a spring formal dance—a challenge that breaks open their routines and sets off hilarious and heartbreaking encounters with love, stress, excitement, and independence. How to Dance in Ohio is a story about people standing on the cusp of the next phase of their lives, facing their hopes and fears, ready to take a very big first step…and dance.

Additional information: Specific interests that would make candidates well suited for this fellowship include, but are not limited to, an interest in access and accessibility and an interest in the inner-workings of commercial theater in addition to an interest in new musical development generally-speaking. The Fellow will be supporting the directing team throughout the process which includes both Director Sammi Cannold and Assocaite Director Mary Cynthia McGowan. 

Learn more about Sammi Cannold here and more about How To Dance in Ohio here.