Elizabethan theatre companies had “apprentices”, or young performers who were training for the profession by working directly with a certain company. In keeping with that tradition, Original Practice Shakespeare Festival trains four actors each summer in our Apprenticeship Program. We also offer additional Stage Management and other Technical Theatre internships in cases of special interest.
OPS Fest is one of the only companies in the world to rely primarily on authentic elements of Elizabethan performance to shape our season, and we seek to provide our apprentices with additional unique and valuable opportunities.
OPS Fest is one of the only companies in the world to rely primarily on authentic elements of Elizabethan performance to shape our season, and we seek to provide our apprentices with additional unique and valuable opportunities.
By the end of the summer as an OPS Fest apprentice, it is our goal that our apprentices will have gained:
Extensive knowledge of Elizabethan performance techniques:
You will learn how Elizabethan-era actors were able to create engaging and exciting performances with no direction, save for their own text and cue lines. These skills will then be put into practice as you perform in the OPS Fest style.
A thorough understanding of Shakespearean language and playsFor many, Shakespeare's language often sounds foreign and confusing. Playing in first folio (or cue script) technique is a surprisingly effective way to "decode" the plays. In addition, you will be exposed to a wide variety of the cannon, between the nine different plays in our repertoire and Spring Training scene work.
The opportunity to perform with professional actors:
OPS Fest is a professional company and, as such, we employ a group of talented and professional actors each summer in roughly 30 performances. As an apprentice, you will have the opportunity to join our busy summer season as 50/50 crew/performer, helping to run half the shows and performing in the other half, in leading and supporting roles, alongside these actors. These performances are great learning opportunities and your fellow actors are an important resource for your success in the program.
Large, enthusiastic audiences in beautiful outdoor settings:
We tour parks in the Portland area and generally enjoy spending much of our summers in the sunshine, not to mention the practical training inherent in performing in the open air. OPS Fest is also grateful for the loyal support of our regular audience, and we're not bad at drawing a crowd, so between old and new friends, our performances tend to be fun and rewarding experiences.
Valuable experience working with a professional theatre company:
Working with industry professionals, you will gain important experience that is incomparable to purely educational or retreat style programs. Real world, hands-on involvement with a self-sustaining company prepares you for life after school and looks great on both performance and professional resumes.
The chance to acquire useful public relations and networking skills:
As an OPS Fest apprentice, you will represent the company in a number of different situations. You will have several opportunities to discuss the company with potential audience members in various Portland neighborhoods. On your non-performance days, you will often be stationed at the information/concession table where you will meet a variety of audience members with various questions and comments. The skills you will gain acting as an OPS Fest ambassador are both unique and applicable to several different employment arenas.
New friends and important connections in the Portland theatre community:
OPS Fest company members are involved in a wide variety of different projects in the Portland theatre community. The connections you make during your time as an apprentice could lead to other opportunities later on. Plus, we're really awesome and fun to be around...!
Extensive knowledge of Elizabethan performance techniques:
You will learn how Elizabethan-era actors were able to create engaging and exciting performances with no direction, save for their own text and cue lines. These skills will then be put into practice as you perform in the OPS Fest style.
A thorough understanding of Shakespearean language and playsFor many, Shakespeare's language often sounds foreign and confusing. Playing in first folio (or cue script) technique is a surprisingly effective way to "decode" the plays. In addition, you will be exposed to a wide variety of the cannon, between the nine different plays in our repertoire and Spring Training scene work.
The opportunity to perform with professional actors:
OPS Fest is a professional company and, as such, we employ a group of talented and professional actors each summer in roughly 30 performances. As an apprentice, you will have the opportunity to join our busy summer season as 50/50 crew/performer, helping to run half the shows and performing in the other half, in leading and supporting roles, alongside these actors. These performances are great learning opportunities and your fellow actors are an important resource for your success in the program.
Large, enthusiastic audiences in beautiful outdoor settings:
We tour parks in the Portland area and generally enjoy spending much of our summers in the sunshine, not to mention the practical training inherent in performing in the open air. OPS Fest is also grateful for the loyal support of our regular audience, and we're not bad at drawing a crowd, so between old and new friends, our performances tend to be fun and rewarding experiences.
Valuable experience working with a professional theatre company:
Working with industry professionals, you will gain important experience that is incomparable to purely educational or retreat style programs. Real world, hands-on involvement with a self-sustaining company prepares you for life after school and looks great on both performance and professional resumes.
The chance to acquire useful public relations and networking skills:
As an OPS Fest apprentice, you will represent the company in a number of different situations. You will have several opportunities to discuss the company with potential audience members in various Portland neighborhoods. On your non-performance days, you will often be stationed at the information/concession table where you will meet a variety of audience members with various questions and comments. The skills you will gain acting as an OPS Fest ambassador are both unique and applicable to several different employment arenas.
New friends and important connections in the Portland theatre community:
OPS Fest company members are involved in a wide variety of different projects in the Portland theatre community. The connections you make during your time as an apprentice could lead to other opportunities later on. Plus, we're really awesome and fun to be around...!
As an apprentice, you are expected to:
-Devote an average of 25 hours per week to the company during the months of June, July, and August.
-Attend every performance. Apprentices are guaranteed a 50/50 split in performance time. That is, you will perform in half of the shows, and run "tech" (man the concessions table, film the performance, etc.) at the other half of the shows.
-Complete audience recruitment work. This may include hanging up posters in businesses and talking to the general public in performance parks. Each apprentice will generally have 2 publicity shifts per week at an average of 4 hours per shift.
-Attend education programs. Spring Training begins in April, before auditions, and continues in May with the summer cast, and consists of (free! unlimited!) training through workshops and scene practice. One class per week will be required for Apprentices, focusing on a particular performance technique. (To be followed by an Apprentice meeting with the program co-ordinator.
-Participate in production side work. Apprentices are also an integral component of our summer tour, working with staff and Stage Managers in preparing and ongoing maintenance of productions. Duties include run crew, organizing show materials, costume laundry, set up and tear down, concession inventory and shopping, etc.
-Prepare for performances. As with all actors in the company, some time must be spent on your own actor homework. This work includes creating your scroll, memorizing your lines, making choices about your parts, and selecting props and costumes for your characters. You will also have a text session with the director at the start of the season to go over your roles.
A limited number of part-time internships are available for those who may not be able to make the full-time commitment for the apprenticeship program.
-Attend every performance. Apprentices are guaranteed a 50/50 split in performance time. That is, you will perform in half of the shows, and run "tech" (man the concessions table, film the performance, etc.) at the other half of the shows.
-Complete audience recruitment work. This may include hanging up posters in businesses and talking to the general public in performance parks. Each apprentice will generally have 2 publicity shifts per week at an average of 4 hours per shift.
-Attend education programs. Spring Training begins in April, before auditions, and continues in May with the summer cast, and consists of (free! unlimited!) training through workshops and scene practice. One class per week will be required for Apprentices, focusing on a particular performance technique. (To be followed by an Apprentice meeting with the program co-ordinator.
-Participate in production side work. Apprentices are also an integral component of our summer tour, working with staff and Stage Managers in preparing and ongoing maintenance of productions. Duties include run crew, organizing show materials, costume laundry, set up and tear down, concession inventory and shopping, etc.
-Prepare for performances. As with all actors in the company, some time must be spent on your own actor homework. This work includes creating your scroll, memorizing your lines, making choices about your parts, and selecting props and costumes for your characters. You will also have a text session with the director at the start of the season to go over your roles.
A limited number of part-time internships are available for those who may not be able to make the full-time commitment for the apprenticeship program.
Additional questions?
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