A recent addition to the Theatre’s expanding cadre of unique, quality educational programs, The Apprentice at Signature offers hands-on professional experience to young performers and designers. The apprentices, seven theatre arts students from H.B. Woodlawn, Wakefield, Washington & Lee, and Yorktown High Schools, are part of the Arlington Public School Fine Arts Apprentice Program and were selected based on their commitment to the arts and their desire to learn more about theatre. Applicants to the Apprentice program apply early in the year through Arlington County Public Schools for the multidisciplinary Fine Arts Apprentice Program, a program which engages students in learning about theatre, music, dance or visual arts. Students interested in acting are invited to interview with Arlington Public School and Signature staff and audition with a prepared piece.  Those theatre students that are interested in technical theatre or stage management are invited to bring a portfolio to their interview. The Apprentice at Signature, in conjunction with the Fine Arts Apprentice Program, is designed to enhance the Arlington Public School program by providing the students with an opportunity to see all of this season’s productions at Signature — new musicals, new plays and a classic Sondheim. Following each show there will be a forum for the apprentices to talk informally with the actors about their work and experiences in the theatre.

The apprentices also will have an opportunity to work on their own acting skills and apply some of the techniques talked about in the forums. A series of audition workshops will be led by Signature Theatre’s Education Department for the students to be able to work on their auditioning skills: how to select and prepare audition material, how to craft a resume and most importantly, how to present themselves during an audition. Many of the apprentices plan on applying to college theatre programs so will be able to prepare their audition during the workshop. The Apprentice at Signature hopes to provide an entry-level opportunity for the next generation of theatre professionals.