Theater Arts Departments

Learn more about each position below! (Not all positions available for all productions)

• Directing
• Music Directing
• Stage Management
• Choreography
• Props Design 
• Costume Design
• Hair and Makeup Design
• Lighting Design
• Projection Artist
• Sound Design (Mixing, Design & Engineering)

Apprenticeships are offered for each show of the season on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions about the Theater Arts Apprenticeship Program or about YMTCʼs policies, please email info@ymtcbayarea.org or call 510-595-5514.

Directing 

The Director brings together the many complex pieces of a production—the script, actors, set, costuming, lighting and sound and music—into a unified whole.
As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Director by assisting them as they:

• Interpret the script
• Plan rehearsals with the Stage Manager
• Guide actors in discovering their characters and on-stage relationships, giving instruction or negotiating ideas when needed
• Create staging while working within the confines of a musical score to bring a scene to life
• Collaborate with designers

Music Directing

The Musical Director oversees all musical aspects of a production. From auditioning the cast, interpreting the score with the creative team in rehearsals, to leading the orchestra and cast in performances, their job is to make musical decisions with all other members of the production.

As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Musical Director by assisting them as they:

• Interpret the score from pre-production and auditions through the final performance
• Plan and accompany music rehearsals with the Stage Manager and Director
• Teach and shape the vocal parts for each actor, giving instruction and negotiating issues when necessary
• Work with the director and choreographer to help bring the score to life within the needs of the creative team’s vision
• Collaborate with designers
• Organize, run, and address the needs of the orchestra at rehearsals, sitzprobe, dress rehearsals, and performances

It is possible, though not necessary, for the Apprentice to also apply to be a student member of the orchestra if the orchestration requires it.

Stage Management

The Stage Manager is an intermediary between the actors and the director, and as such is timely, efficient, detail-oriented, and present at every rehearsal and performance.

As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Stage Manager by assisting them as they:

• Schedule and run rehearsals (task master) according to cast conflicts and director’s needs
• Maintain a clean, safe, and inclusive rehearsal environment for all actors
• Ensure the actors have adequate rehearsal props, attire, and break time
• Communicate the director’s needs to designers, builders, and actors
• Keep record of blocking, light cues, sound cues, props, set changes, and costume changes in a master copy of the script (called the “prompt book”)
• Use the prompt book to call cues during the run of the show

During Tech Week and Performances:

• Novice and Intermediate Apprentices will join the Run Crew (the team that runs backstage technical elements such as scene changes)
• Advanced Apprentices will join the Stage Manager in the booth to assist in calling the show. 

Choreography

The Choreographer creates dance for the musical numbers, as well as stylized movement for actors as requested by the Director; considering the mood and themes of the production as a whole.

As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Choreographer by assisting them as they:

• Interpret the story, music, and themes of the production, through movement
• Create choreography for musical numbers and stylized movement for scenes, which further the story and follow the Director’s vision
• Teach and provide useful movement language for actors
• Collaborate with musical director, scenic designer and costume designer
• Plan and run dance rehearsals
• Lead dance calls before each performance, or delegate a dance captain to do so, according to the schedule determined by the Stage Manager

Props Design

The Props Designer collaborates with the Director to bring to life the practical elements that directly interact with the actors.

As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Props Designer by assisting them as they:

• Pull potential set pieces or props from company stock, or source from other theaters
• Build props as needed when unable to source them from stock
• Work on all aesthetic aspects of the set, including painting/decorating the set and props
• Creatively work within the confines of a fixed budget and keep the Director updated on progress of and/or changes to design

Before tech week, the Novice Apprentices will train in basic prop skills (ie how to use tools used to make props, or artistry skills) either directly or indirectly related to the production. The Intermediate and Advanced Apprentices will be assigned and trained in making their own props to contribute to the show. 

Additionally, during the run of the show, the apprentice will act as run crew (with the guidance of their Mentor and the Stage Manager) to:

• Assist with scene changes by moving set pieces and/or striking & pre-setting props
• Ensure props are properly stored, maintained, and cleaned when necessary
• Communicate any set or prop malfunctions to the Stage Manager

Costume Design/Wardrobe Management

The Costume Designer collaborates with the Director to design a cohesive wardrobe of clothing and accessories, to be worn by the actors in performance.

As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Costume Designer by assisting them as they:

• Interpret the mood/themes of the production, as well as the personalities and backgrounds of each character; considering occupation, social status, gender, age, sense of style and tendencies towards conformity or individualism
• Chart and draft all costume needs as determined by the script and the Director
• Pull potential costumes from company stock, or source from other theaters
• Build costumes as needed when unable to source them from stock
• Take measurements of the actors, and fit costumes to them
• Work within the confines of a fixed budget and keep the Director updated on progress of and/or changes to design

Before tech week, the Novice Apprentices will train in basic sewing skills either directly or indirectly related to the production. The Intermediate and Advanced Apprentices will be assigned and trained in sewing garments and making patterns. 

Additionally, during the run of the show, the apprentice will assist the Wardrobe Manager to:

• Assist actors with dressing pre-show, and quick changes during performances.
• Ensure costumes are properly hung, maintained, and cleaned
• Communicate any costume malfunctions/changes to the Stage Manager

Hair & Makeup Design

The Hair & Makeup Designer collaborates with the Director to create hairstyles and makeup effects for each character, using wigs and prosthetics when necessary.

As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Hair & Makeup Designer by assisting them as they:

• Interpret the mood and themes of the production, as well as the personalities and backgrounds of each character; considering occupation, social status, gender, age, sense of style and tendencies towards conformity or individualism
• Research, plan, and execute various makeup, hair, and wig applications
• Assist actors in styling their hair and applying their makeup before and during each performance; and when appropriate, instructing them on how to do it on their own
• Work within the confines of a fixed budget and keep the Director updated on progress of and/or changes to design

Before tech week, the Novice Apprentices will train in basic sewing skills either directly or indirectly related to the production. The Intermediate and Advanced Apprentices will be assigned and trained in independent design projects for the production (ie. wig styling, prosthetics work, purchasing of materials, etc.). 

During the run of the show, the apprentice will assist the Hair and Makeup Designer in implementing the designs on actors and assist with quick changes and scene changes as needed.

Lighting Design

The Lighting Designer collaborates with the Director to illuminate the set and actors in ways that are both practical and artful; by manipulating the intensity, shape, direction and color of light on stage.

As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Lighting Designer by assisting them as they:

• Interpret the mood, themes, and settings of the production; considering time, location, mood and desired visibility of each scene
• Research, plan, and execute a comprehensive lighting “plot” (i.e. placement of lighting instruments in the theater)
• Hang, power, and focus lighting instruments in the theater, according to the plot
• Collaborate with Stage Manager and Director to determine timing and duration of “cues” (i.e. changes in lighting during the show, controlled by the light board)
• Program cues into the light board

Before tech week, the Novice Apprentices will train in basic lighting theory and skills either directly or indirectly related to the production. The Intermediate and Advanced Apprentices will be assigned and trained in specific lighting projects relating to the production. All apprentices will assist in the load in, hang and focus the week leading up to tech week. 

During the run of the show, the apprentice will either run spotlights or the lighting board based on the needs of the show and the level of the Apprentice. 

Projection Artist

The Projection Artist collaborates with the Director to incorporate visual images using projection into the set in ways that are both practical and artful.

As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Projection Artist by assisting them as they:

• Interpret the mood, themes, and settings of the production; considering time, location, and mood of each scene
• Learn about the practical elements of projectors and light. 
• Hang, power, and focus projectors and related instruments in the theater, according to the plot
• Collaborate with Stage Manager and Director to determine timing and duration of “cues” (i.e. changes in projections during the show, controlled by a laptop board)
• Program cues 

Before tech week, the Novice Apprentices will train in basic projection theory and skills either directly or indirectly related to the production. The Intermediate and Advanced Apprentices will be assigned and trained in specific projects relating to the production. All apprentices will assist in the load in, hang and focus the week leading up to tech week. 

During the run of the show, the apprentice may run the cues from the laptop based on the needs of the show and the level of the Apprentice. 

Sound Design (Mixing, Design, and Engineering)

The Sound Designer collaborates with the Director to create the soundscape of the story, through use of live and/or recorded sound effects.

As an apprentice, you will learn the skills and responsibilities of the Sound Designer/Mixer and Sound Engineer by assisting them as they:

• Interpret the mood, themes, and settings of the production; considering time, location, action and tone of each scene
• Research, plan, and execute a comprehensive soundscape, creating cues from scratch as needed
• Collaborate with Stage Manager and Director to determine timing, duration, and audibility of “cues” (i.e. the sound effects within the context of the show)

• Acquire, position, and power sound equipment in the theater
• Fit wireless microphones to actors
• Manage sound levels on the board during performances

Before tech week, the Novice Apprentices will train in the sound equipment used in the production. The Intermediate and Advanced Apprentices will be assigned and trained in specific sound projects relating to the production. All apprentices will assist in the load in and set up of sound equipment the week leading up to tech week. 

During the run of the show, the Novice Apprentices will manage the mics backstage and the Intermediate/Advanced Apprentices will work at/with the sound board either mixing or running sound effects.