WHO

Early career professionals interested in learning about arts and education administration or theater production should apply by March 15, 2023!

WHAT

• Apprentices will choose to focus in a particular department - Education, Development, or Production. You will work closely with the most talented and passionate team in Theatre! 
• Apprentices will enjoy Professional Development opportunities such as master classes with professionals in the field, technical training, field trips to other theatres, and all-staff development sessions, and other customizable training opportunities.
• Apprentices work 40 hours per week and are paid a salary of $32,500.  
• Benefits: Paid time off including vacation, sick days, and personal days; 100% coverage for HMO individual insurance; commuter benefit for Metro or parking; Free and reduced priced tickets, classes, and summer camps; Relocation assistance.

WHEN

WHERE

Most members of the Apprentice class will work at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD. Production apprentices will primarily work at the Scene Shop in Beltsville, MD.

WHY

• To develop your leadership potential in the nonprofit arts space
• To learn about career paths in arts and education administration
• To work with passionate people in youth theatre and youth theatre education!

HOW

Apply now! Applications due March 15, 2023. Send a letter of interest and a resume to [email protected].

In your letter of interest, please include which focus area you are most interested in. 
Imagination Stage is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment. Imagination Stage will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. To request, please contact HR Manager Nia Savoy-Dock at [email protected]

Imagination Stage celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values members of our whole community. Imagination Stage is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Candidates from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Apprentice Focus Areas at Imagination Stage

Development

The Development Apprentice is an integral member of the development team. This apprentice supports development operations including but not limited to: donor research, database management, event assistance, fundraising, board management, grant writing, graphic design, donor stewardship, content creation for social media and emails, and arts administration. Other projects may be assigned based on the apprentice's interests and the department’s needs. Due to the nature of the apprenticeship, some weekend and night hours are required for events and board meetings; all such dates will be provided in advance. 

Education

The Education Apprentices will gain hands-on experience as an integral part of the Imagination Stage Education Team and will participate in executing our wide range of programming. Each apprentice will primarily be scheduled in their area of concentration (available options listed below), but they will also be given opportunities to explore areas outside of their concentration based on other interests and the needs of the department. The apprentices will have the opportunity to implement lesson plans as an assistant or lead teacher. 

Education Apprenticeships are available in the following areas:

• The Education Apprentice focused on Program Management and Facilitation will support the overall administration and maintenance of the Education department and its programming, including but not limited to camp and class managing, maintaining and updating student information, updating classroom reservation system, contributing to the creation of student study guides, and spending time as a classroom assistant, inclusion facilitator, and lead teacher when appropriate. This apprentice will also assist in handling faculty communication and managing inventory of art supplies and early childhood materials.
• The Education Apprentice focused on Access and Inclusion will support the overall administration of the Education department’s Access and Inclusion initiatives. Working directly with the Access & Inclusion Senior Manager, this position will assist with projects such as updating and creating student inclusion records, planning and organizing for our access outreach programs including our Sensory-Friendly performances, as well as contributing to the creation of student support materials, faculty scheduling, and inventorying of access supplies and materials.

Production

The Production Apprentices will gain hands-on experience as an integral part of the Imagination Stage Production Team and will participate in executing our wide range of programming. Each apprentice will primarily be scheduled in their area of concentration (available options listed below), but they will also be given opportunities to explore areas outside of their concentration based on other interests and the needs of the department.

Production Apprenticeships are available in the following areas:

• The Stage and Production Management Apprentice will support guest stage managers during rehearsals and tech, run backstage tracks for Imagination Stage’s professional shows, and will be assigned to stage manage several student shows throughout the year. The SM/PM Apprentice will also support Production Management in the day-to-day operations of the Production Office and in season planning work.
• Technical Theater Apprentices (Scenery/Paints*, Costumes/Props, or Lighting/Sound) will work in their area of concentration gaining hands-on experience working with skilled professionals and developing their skills working with the materials, techniques, and equipment of their specific area. Technical Theatre Apprentices will participate in the prep, build, load in, running, and strike of all of Imagination Stage’s programming.

*The Scenery/Paints Apprenticeship is based at the Imagination Stage Scene Shop in Beltsville, MD. Though some work will happen at IStage’s Bethesda location.

About Imagination Stage

Imagination Stage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education and youth development organization that empowers young people to discover their voice and identity through performing arts education and professional theatre. We envision a future where theatre experiences are a fundamental aspect of children’s lives, nourishing their creative spirit, inspiring them to embrace the complexity and diversity of their world, and helping them overcome their challenges with hope, courage and, above all, creativity.

Imagination Stage was founded as BAPA (Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts) in 1979 in response to the urgent need for arts education for young people. The company was renamed Imagination Stage in 2001, and is incorporated in both Maryland and the District of Columbia. Imagination Stage has grown from a handful of children in a single classroom to a full-spectrum performing arts organization, with theatre productions by professional actors and artists. Unlike most children’s theatre companies, Imagination Stage commissions new works for children every year. These productions have been recognized with awards and productions by other companies around the world.

Imagination Stage’s major program areas include: 

• Education: camps and classes programs on-site; Classes on Request in Schools (CORS); arts integration on-site, in schools, and digitally; Youth Conservatory for pre-professional acting students

• In the Community: Professional Development for Educators; Arts Enrichment; Access Education (community programming: https://imaginationstage.org/in-the-community/at-your-school/)

• Professional Productions: 3-5 mainstage productions annually for young audiences; Annual series of productions for very young audiences in the black box theatre; Learning Through Theatre (LTT) Field Trips
• Theatre for Change: Currently touring 10 Seconds (grades 8-12), SPIES digital productions (grades K-5); ¡Óyeme! workshops and performances for immigrant youth (grades 8-12); The Youth and Police Partnership; Voices Beyond Bars