Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution or have equivalent experience
- Be hardworking, energetic, team-oriented, and self-motivated
- Be able to commit to the entire ten-month time frame
- Reside in, or be able to relocate to Atlanta from September-June
- Have the ability to lift 30 pounds
- Carefully read through all instructions and submit a thoughtfully completed application
What to Expect
- Formalized and comprehensive training in your area of concentration
- Focus on professional development and networking
- Lifelong connections to peers, mentors, and artists
- Independent and collective learning projects
- Hands-on experience for future career opportunities including backstage crew and front-of-house assignments
- A ten-month (September-June) time commitment. Apprentices will not be permitted to accept work at other theaters during this time.
- Weekly schedules will vary from month to month. Classes are typically held Monday and Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
- Show duties will require approximately four hours per performance for six performances per week.
- Performance opportunities to showcase your work for your peers and the greater Atlanta arts community
- Apprentices will attend a progression of master classes taught by seasoned theatre professionals.
- Actors will receive in-depth training in contemporary techniques including monologue coaching, mainstage understudy performance opportunities, and working with professional directors on staged readings and showcase pieces.
- Playwrights are able to explore their creativity alongside a professional playwright by collaborating with the acting company on a series of pieces, ranging from 10 minute plays to full length works.
- Stage Managers are administered at least two mainstage productions to stage manage in addition to a reader’s theatre project.
- Designers are provided with hands-on experience by designing the company’s projects.
How to Apply
The 2017-18 Apprentice Company application is available HERE
Interviews begin March 1st. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through April.
Please direct general inquiries (including information about late applications) to apprentices@horizon.theatre.com.
Please submit completed applications, cover letters, and resumes to apprentices@horizontheatre.com (preferred) or mail a hard copy to: Horizon Theatre Company Attn: Apprentice Company, PO Box 5376 Atlanta, GA 31107
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get paid as an apprentice at the Horizon?
No. Our extensive resources, educational training, and professional hands-on experience are offered to our apprentices free of charge and there is no paid stipend. Equity Membership Candidates will be able to accumulate points during our mainstage season.
Can I do other shows during my Apprenticeship?
No. Once your contract as a Horizon Apprentice member begins, your theatre work will be limited to the Horizon.
Will I need another job to support myself?
Yes. Most apprentices also work as waiters, baristas, retail employees, etc. during their time at Horizon.
What is a typical weekly schedule like?
Actors and Playwrights will typically find themselves in classes 2-3 days per week (usually Monday and Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings). Classes usually last 2-4 hours each. When you are assigned show duty as a Front of House or backstage crew member, your weekly hours will increase. Show schedules are typically Wednesday-Saturday evenings with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Other Apprentices (Designers, Stage Managers, etc.) will be assigned to attend select classes and/or extra work calls.
What will I be learning?
Actors will take classes in Voice, Movement, Stage Combat, Improv, and specific Acting Techniques (past Acting Apprentice companies have been led through Meisner and Viewpoints). Playwrights will work with professional writers on dramaturgy, play discussions, and creating Ten Minute and Full Length works. All Company members will come together periodically to collaborate on Ten Minute Plays, One Acts, new play discussions, and outings to area theaters to see shows.
Responsibilities
Actors
Training/Performance
- Weekly Master Classes (with breaks for tech rehearsal, etc.) topics include voice, movement, scene study, techniques, etc.
- Perform in Apprentice Company productions
- Perform in new play readings as requested
- Audition for mainstage productions as appropriate
- Serve as script reader/evaluator for new plays as requested
- Monthly “field trips” to plays/theatres
Duties
- Crew two mainstage productions during the season
- Front of House or Administrative assignment when not crewing
- Participate in all Apprentice company productions, providing artistic/tech/crew/box/house support as needed
- Assist with strike for all productions
- Assist with administrative, technical, and artistic tasks related to Horizon’s annual benefit event
Playwrights
Training
- Weekly Master Classes (with breaks for tech rehearsal, etc.) topics include voice, movement, scene study, techniques, etc.
- Weekly playwrights round table, readings of their work throughout the program by other Apprentices
- Coaching sessions with professional Atlanta area playwrights
- Participation in the Young Playwrights and the New South Festival
- Assist in new play research
- Serve as script reader/evaluator for new plays as requested
- Monthly “field trips” to plays/theatres
Duties
- Crew two mainstage productions during the season
- Front of House or Administrative assignment when not crewing
- Participate in all Apprentice company productions, providing artistic/tech/crew/box/house support as needed
- Assist with the planning and coordination of the Young Playwrights Festival and the New South Festival
- Assist with strike for all productions
- Assist with administrative, technical, and artistic tasks related to Horizon’s annual benefit event
Design (Scenic, Costume, Lighting, Sound)
Training
- Weekly Master Classes (with breaks for tech rehearsal, etc.)
- Monthly design seminars
- Serve as the designers and builders for all Apprentice company productions
- Coaching sessions with professional Atlanta area designers
- Serves as an assistant to each of designers for the mainstage season
- Monthly “field trips” to plays/theatres
Duties
- Crew two mainstage productions during the season
- Front of House or Administrative assignment when not crewing
- Participate in all Apprentice company productions, providing artistic/tech/crew/box/house support as needed
- Assist with strike for all productions
- Assist in the maintenance and quality control of the productions (i.e. set/prop maintenance, costume repairs, etc.)
- Assist with administrative, technical, and artistic tasks related to Horizon’s annual benefit event
Stage Management
Training
- Weekly Master Classes (with breaks for tech rehearsal, etc.)
- Serve as the Assistant Stage Manager for at least 2 mainstage productions
- Serve as the Stage Manager for all Apprentice Company productions
- Opportunity to apply for Stage Manager positions for the mainstage productions
- Monthly “field trips” to plays/theatres
Duties
- Crew two mainstage productions during the season
- Front of House or Administrative assignment when not crewing
- Participate in all Apprentice company productions, providing artistic/tech/crew/box/house support as needed
- Assist with strike for all productions
- Assist in the maintenance and quality control of the productions
- Assist with administrative, technical, and artistic tasks related to Horizon’s annual benefit event