Shade Tree Players Apprentice Program

If you are a student between the ages of 14 and 18 and are interested in a college track or career path in the theatrical arts, the newly redesigned and remodeled Shade Tree Players Apprentice Program is for you! Based on the principals of the original Shade Tree Players Traveling Troupe (presented by high school aged students for elementary aged students) and restructured to educate and engage high school students in all areas of direction, design, construction, promotion and performance, the Apprentice Program will allow participants to create and craft their own theatrical production from the ground up. Under the guidance of an experienced theatre professional, students selected for the Artistic Team will select their show, designate a director, designers and technicians, and collaborate to present a full production to their community. In the same company, students selected to act in the play produced by their peers will learn and grow as artists and offer inspiration and imagination to the children to which they will present their piece. With the intent to challenge and cultivate advanced theatre students on the road to college or a career in the performing arts, the new Shade Tree Players Apprentice Program is perfect for young people who are trending toward a life in the theatre. Through this summer intensive, students will gain practical production experience as well as provide the valuable service of offering exciting, enchanting and engaging entertainment to those children who someday wish to follow in their footsteps. Rehearsals will take place from 4pm-7pm, Monday through Thursday, from July 1st through August 5th. Performances will take place from August 6th through 10th at various outdoor locations in Bismarck, Mandan and Lincoln. Interviews for the Artistic Team (ages 15-18) will take place from 3:30-5:30pm on Thursday, January 8th at Dakota Stage. From those interviews, as many as 8 positions will be filled: Director, Production Manager, Stage Manager, Scenic Designer, Costume Designer, Properties Designer, and Construction Crew (2). Students interested in running the show should be prepared to give a list of their theatre crew experience, talk about the position in which they are most interested and discuss why they feel the will grow, learn and thrive on this team. If you would like to register for an interview, please email execdir@dakotastageltd.com with your name, age, address and phone number, no later than 5pm on Tuesday, January 6th. You will be sent an appointment time and location upon confirmation of your registration. If selected for the Artistic Team, your registration fee of $250 will be due before the end of January. Auditions for the actors (ages 14-18) will take place from 3:30-5:30pm on Thursday, January 15th at Dakota Stage. From those auditions, as many as 12 roles will be filled. Students interested in participating in a fun, fantastical, enchanting production to the delight of children in their community and collaborating with an Artistic Team of their peers, should be prepared to present cold readings from the script selected and show their abilities to connect to their cast mates as well as demonstrate excellent vocal and physical acting work. If you would like to register for an audition, please email execdir@dakotastageltd.com with your name, age, address and phone number, no later than 5pm on Tuesday, January 13th. You will be sent an appointment time and location upon confirmation of your registration. If selected as an actor your registration fee of $250 will be due before the end of January. For additional information email execdir@dakotastageltd.com, call 701-258-4998 or visit www.dakotastageltd.com