Apprenticeships
2024 Glimmerglass Apprenticeship Program
Graciously supported by Denise Littlefield Sobel
The Glimmerglass Festival is reinforcing the company’s decades-long history of mentoring and educating theater professionals with the Glimmerglass Festival Apprenticeship Program. With staff undergoing anti-bias training and education in creating more accessible, equitable and inclusive work environments, the company offers hourly paid summer Apprenticeships in Administration, Artistic Administration and Theater Production. Our Apprenticeship Program provides a unique combination of practical, work, and educational programs, each designed to further professional growth.
Our Apprentices join the program after gaining interest through practical experience or their academic studies. Our Apprenticeship Program is geared toward participants, ages 18 and over, who would like to continue to learn and grow in their chosen field. Apprentices work directly with noted professionals under the guidance of supervisors and staff from many of the top theaters, opera companies, and institutions in the nation. Apprentices are engaged for a period of 7 – 18 weeks, with some positions beginning as early as April.
Program Mission
To provide experience and knowledge to early career professionals and students who seek to further their professional growth through practical training, one-on-one mentorship, and a range of workshops and seminars across multiple disciplines.
Program Goals
Goal 1: Train competent and creative professionals.
Apprentices receive training in industry best practices and current technologies in areas of their interest within the performing arts.
Goal 2: Provide mentorship and evaluate growth.
Apprentices work alongside professional staff and artists from around the world, as well as work with Supervisors to establish goals and review progress throughout the season.
Goal 3: Deliver a broad range of educational programs.
Apprentices participate in seminars, workshops, and resume & portfolio reviews with industry professionals.
Goal 4: Foster equity and access to the Apprenticeship Program
Recruitment and outreach connections are expanded every year to maximize accessibility and visibility for participation in the program while also reviewing the company’s hiring process and policies to ensure that each candidate is evaluated equitably and (should they be hired) compensated fairly.
Program Methodology and Curriculum
The Glimmerglass Festival Apprenticeship Program provides a unique combination of practical experience and educational programs, each designed to further professional and personal growth. Each Apprenticeship offers a well-rounded experience including structured training sessions, curated seminars, and frequent opportunities to learn and work alongside seasoned professionals in formal and informal settings.
Training & Seminars
Training Sessions may include but are not limited to: (required by department/role)
- Safety: Lifts and ladders; lockout/tagout; tool checkout; CPR/first aid; emergency procedures; vehicle training; slips, trips, and falls; back safety; fire extinguisher training; respirator fit testing; standard and oversized vehicle trainings; spray booth training; secondary containers; emergency procedures and active shooter awareness;
- Technology: PhotoShop, InDesign, AutoCAD, MS Office Suite, Google Workspace
- Creative Skills: Lighting, scenic, and costume design sessions
- Applied Skills: Resume building, health and wellness, communication skills.
Seminar offerings may include but are not limited to:
- Introduction to CNC Routing
- Hacking the Nervous System
- Getting & Giving Useful Feedback
- Apprentice Mixer
- Design Seminar for all Mainstage Productions
- Design to Production Forum
- Hazardous Materials in the Performing Arts
- Color Theory in Practice
- Creating a Design Mood/Research Board
- Hand Sewing Skills
- Leadership in the Performing Arts
- Welding Theory and Practice
- Resume, Cover Letter, and Portfolio Workshop
- Professional Communications for Arts Management
- When Teamwork Is Spelled With An “I”
- *Alumni Spotlight Forum
- Costume Design with Van Broughton Ramsey
- Lighting Design with Kevin Adams
- Opera America Making Connections & Finance as a Theatre Professional,
- JR Clancy & Wenger Tour
- Wightman’s Lumber Mill Tour
- Thistle Hill Weavers Tour
Program Administration
The Program is advertised at vocational institutions, academic institutions, in industry publications, and at professional and collegiate conferences attended by interested parties. The application process is comprised of an online application, where candidates choose up to three Apprenticeships in order of preference and submit required materials such as a cover letter, resume (with references), and portfolios. Applications are reviewed directly by the Apprentice’s would-be mentors/supervisors, and evaluated for interview.
Apprenticeships are competitive, and are awarded based on the candidate’s:
- Demonstrated interest and/or applicable experience
- Academic/Experiential achievement, development of technical skills, and/or personal merit
- Potential and desire to pursue a professional career in the chosen field
Mentor responsibilities:
- Work with Apprentices to set goals for the term of the apprenticeship. Use the evaluation form and instruction sheet for pre-season, mid-season, and post-season evaluations.
- Supervise Apprentices in day-to-day work, development, and operations.
- Ensure an appropriate mix of practical experience and educational opportunities.
- Administer any documentation or program criteria required by the Apprentice’s academic institution, if applicable.
Updated: October 18, 2024
About
You can apply for up to three different Apprenticeships! Multiple single-page resumes are recommended when applying for multiple Apprenticeship positions.
The Glimmerglass Festival offers summer Apprenticeships in Artistic Administration, Company Administration, and Production. The Glimmerglass Apprenticeship Program provides a unique combination of practical, work, and educational programs, each designed to further professional growth.
Our Apprentices join the program after gaining interest through practical experience or their academic studies. Our Apprenticeship Program is geared toward participants, ages 18 and over, who would like to continue to learn and grow in their chosen field. Apprentices work directly with noted professionals under the guidance of supervisors and staff from many of the top theaters, opera companies, and institutions in the nation. Apprentices are engaged for a period of 7 – 18 weeks, with some positions beginning in early May.
For further information, email the Hiring Search Department at hiring@glimmerglass.org.
No phone calls, please.
APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION/INSTRUCTIONS:
You can apply for up to three different Apprenticeships!
Application information will be posted at www.glimmerglass.org starting on January 3, 2024. The application process will involve filling out an online Employment Application Form (see link below) and attaching one PDF file containing a one-page cover letter and a one-page resume with references. Some positions may require an additional portfolio attachment or link (preferred).
Cover letter
– One (1) page. Indicate earliest date available and latest departure date. Glimmerglass start dates are often more flexible than end dates. Applications that have start and end dates significantly outside of the dates provided below will not be considered.
Resume
– One (1) page. Include telephone number, e-mail address, education (post high school, if applicable), work and internship experience (with dates). You can apply for up to three different Apprenticeships. Multiple single-page resumes are recommended when applying for multiple Apprenticeship positions.
References
– Provide contact information for three references. Indicate your relationship to each reference, their telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Applications listing “References upon request” will not be considered.
Portfolio
–Some positions (Costumes, Crafts, Design, Hair & Makeup, Paints, Props, Scenic Carpentry, or Technical Direction) may require examples of your previous work. Please include either a link to your digital portfolio/webpage or images with descriptions on additional pages at the end of your PDF submission. Online portfolio link is preferred.
For further information, email the Hiring Search Department at hiring@glimmerglass.org.
No phone calls, please.
Apprentices are compensated at a rate of $15.00/hr and are eligible for overtime. Housing provided.
The Apprenticeship Program is highly competitive; some positions are filled as early as the end of January. Early applications are encouraged. All positions in the Apprenticeship Program will be posted for two weeks prior to the start of the offer process and applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.
For further information, email the Hiring Search Department at hiring@glimmerglass.org.
No phone calls, please.
To apply, please prepare your one-page Resume with three references, one-page Cover Letter, and possible portfolio in a single PDF file and complete the Glimmerglass Employment Application Form by clicking the button below.
Glimmerglass Employment Application Form
Join The Glimmerglass Festival team
More positions may be added; please check back for updated information.
Please note: All company members will be required to follow all safety, health, and wellness policies and procedures.
The Glimmerglass Festival seeks to hire persons of all backgrounds, lived experiences, and identities. Developing and investing in our employees is our highest priority to achieve an environment that fosters company wide success. The Festival aims to employ individuals at varying stages of their careers, who have a desire to work for a leading arts organization that values professional and personal growth through collaboration and commitment to creating the highest quality product possible. Click here to learn more about the initiatives and actions we are taking to make progress in these areas.
The Glimmerglass Festival is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, genetic data or any other legally protected status.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Updated: April 29, 2024