Apprentice Alumni Q&A: Production!

Production Apprentice Alumnus:

Jose Nunez Which Apprentice Class were you a part of? 2011-2012! What is your current job? Properties Shop Foreman at the University of Maryland What drew you to the Imagination Stage Apprentice Program? The year prior I was interning at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in DC. A friend of mine who worked with me there was a teacher at Imagination Stage and told me about the program. I was really intrigued by the work, and the mission of the company.

What was your favorite aspect of being an apprentice? I think it was the camaraderie and the people. Working with my fellow apprentices for a year really instilled in us a sense of teamwork and friendship. Imagination Stage was, and still is, one of my favorite places that I’ve ever worked. The company atmosphere really made it a great place to be. What was the most exciting project you worked on as an apprentice? I really enjoyed working run crew for Aladdin’s Luck and Mouse on the Move that year. A lot of hustling! What was the most important lesson you learned as an apprentice?

It’s really important not to compare yourself to your fellow apprentices—everyone has different skill sets, strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important to remember that you are all there to work together as a team. What have you been up to since your apprenticeship ended? At the end of my apprenticeship I was hired by Imagination Stage as the Properties Coordinator. I did that for two years, and then left to pursue my MFA in Production Technology, with a Properties focus, from Ohio University. After graduating, I started working this year as the Properties Shop Foreman at the University of Maryland. How did the apprenticeship help you get to where you are now? I learned a lot. It was a really great way not only to learn and practice new skills and interests, but also to hone skills that I already had. As an apprentice I was always treated as an equal. I was included in meetings and discussions, and my opinion was valued. It really helped me to learn the finer points of working in professional theater. I definitely felt that the apprentice program groomed me to enter the professional world.

Any advice to those applying? No matter how confident you are in yourself and your skills, remember that a little bit of humility goes a long way. There is always something to learn from the people you work with. Use your time wisely, try to challenge yourself, and remember that a good sense of humor is important!!

Join us for Imagination Stage’s 2020-2021 Professional Apprenticeship Program! Application materials are due March 1, 2020.

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