Professional Apprenticeship Program

The Omaha Theater Company sponsors a Professional Apprentice Training Program in technical theater. The program provides a practical “hands-on” experience that gives emerging theater artists an opportunity to work directly with designers, technicians, and professionals in their respective fields.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

• The Apprentice Program does not offer a degree.
• Apprenticeships are ten months in length beginning in August and ending at the beginning of June.
• Apprenticeships are full time (40-45 hours per week).
• Apprentices’ weekly schedules may vary with their duties and the requirements of the overall production schedule and will include some nights and weekends.
• Prospective apprentices should carefully evaluate their individual financial situations when applying to the program.
• Compensation is $360/week. Housing is provided via a paycheck deduction of $500 per month. (Sorry, no pets allowed in theater housing.)
• Each apprentice will receive complimentary tickets to all Rose Theater productions.
• The apprenticeships are a full time commitment.  An outside job cannot be relied upon as an income supplement.

WHAT TO EXPECT

An apprenticeship is a full season commitment, lasting from mid August to early June. The Omaha Theater Company’s apprentices will participate as staff members within their assigned roles on a variety of shows and projects.  Apprentices are an integral part of the production team with the Omaha Theater Company and in order to create well-rounded theater professionals, our technical theater apprentices work backstage in a variety of roles. They are encouraged to develop good marketable habits, refine their interpersonal skills, and develop relationships with theater professionals.   Formal evaluations are given in the fall and spring, and provide an opportunity for the apprentice and their supervisor to discuss future goals and objectives for the program.  Resume and portfolio reviews are given throughout the season.  They also receive specialized training in their chosen specialty and are able to take on leadership roles with the Teens ‘N’ Theater program, including designing lights and sound, leading load-ins, and training the board ops.  

FACILITIES

The Omaha Theater Company is the one of the largest professional children’s theater companies in the country.  It makes its home at The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center (Rose Theater).  Live performances take place on two stages:

• The Buffett Auditorium is a 30’x60’ proscenium stage that seats 900.  The company’s nine-show mainstage season of educational theater and family musicals takes place on this stage.  
• The Hitchcock Theater is a flexible black box space that seats 150.  This space supports the award-winning Teens ‘N’ Theater program, two Pre-K theatrical productions, and other special events.

In addition to the two stages, the Rose Theater houses an electrics studio, costume studio and rental shop, and multiple classroom and rehearsal spaces.   The Rose Theater Scene Shop is located three blocks from The Rose Performing Arts Center and contains scenic and paint studios, props shop, and ample storage space. The Rose Theater West Studio is a satellite location for various classes in dance, voice and professional musical theater and is often used as a rehearsal space for mainstage productions.

AVAILABLE APPRENTICESHIPS

Paints/Props Apprenticeship

Paint/Props Apprentices work with the Props Master and Scenic Charge Artist throughout the season, painting scenery and/or constructing props for select shows. They also serve as run crew for several productions and assist with scenic load ins, light hangs, and maintenance of our shop inventory as needed throughout the season. Budgeting, bookkeeping, and time management skills will be addressed, as will interdepartmental communications and cooperation. There may be opportunities to serve as a Props Master or Charge Artist on productions later in the season. Applicants should be able to safely use hand and power tools and lift at least 50 pounds. Experience with hand/machine sewing and various paint techniques is a plus. This apprenticeship is suitable for those working towards careers as prop masters, scenic artists, and scenic designers.

Stage Management Apprenticeship

Stage Management Apprentices work as an assistant stage manager and run crew on various mainstage productions. Starting with pre-production meetings on through rehearsals and performances, they will work closely with actors, students, director, and choreographers. Assignments also include the opportunity to stage manage two productions in our black box theater and 1 production on our mainstage. When not assigned to a show, Stage Management Apprentices assist with office work and other areas of production as needed.  This includes helping with load-ins, strikes, and light hang/focus. Applicants should be able to interact with a wide variety of personalities and adapt to various working styles. Additionally, the apprentice must stay focused, take initiative, and maintain a professional demeanor in the work place. Applicants must possess strong writing and computer skills as there is an emphasis on producing quality paper work. The ability to read music is desirable and prior stage management experience is required. A practical knowledge of electrics and a basic understanding of power tools is a plus. This apprenticeship is suitable for those working towards careers as professional stage managers.

Electrics Apprenticeship

Electrics Apprentices work directly under the supervision of the Audio & Electrics Director to implement the lighting design for each mainstage production. This includes assisting with the hanging and focusing of lights, reading and drafting the light plot, assisting the lighting designer with paperwork, and general maintenance of our inventory and spaces, along with working scenic load-ins and strikes.  Electrics Apprentices may have the opportunity to act as Master Electrician and/or run the light board or spot light for select mainstage productions. Assignments also include the opportunity to design lights in our black box theater for two Pre-K productions and all of our Teens ‘N’ Theater shows. Applicants should have a practical knowledge of electrics and a basic understanding of electricity, along with the ability to read and interpret lighting paperwork and focus quickly. Our box booms are approximately 60ft. high so applicants must be comfortable working at heights. Familiarity with ETC Ion lighting console and Vectorworks is a plus.  This apprenticeship is suitable for those working towards careers as master electricians and lighting designers.

Audio Apprenticeship

Audio Apprentices work directly under the supervision of the Audio & Electrics Director to implement the sound design for each mainstage production.  This includes assisting with digital mixing, programming, sound effect creation, and general repair and maintenance of our audio equipment and spaces, along with working scenic load-ins/strikes and light hang/focus.  Audio Apprentices may have the opportunity to act as Sound Engineer for select mainstage productions.  Assignments also include designing sound in our black box theater for two Pre-K productions and all of our Teens ‘N’ Theater shows. Applicants should have a practical knowledge of sound system integration and implementation. Experience with Pro-Tools, SFX, and Yamaha M7CL digital sound console is a plus. This apprenticeship is suitable for those working towards careers as sound engineers and sound designers.