2026 Apprenticeships

An apprentice at Santa Cruz Shakespeare is an early-career theater artist who participates as an employee of SCS, working closely with our professional company. Apprentices are held to the same professional standards as all SCS employees and will receive hourly minimum wage. The apprentice program emphasizes skill-building, artistic development, and pathways into the professional theater field.

2026 Apprenticeships (see additional job description details below):

Acting
Stage Management

How to Apply

Complete the requirements as listed below depending on your area of interest: Acting Apprentice or Stage Management Apprentice.

You may apply to multiple apprenticeships, just make sure to tailor your application for that specific apprenticeship.

Application deadline: Saturday, February 28th by 11:59pm PST.

Please note that while we will not review applications until March of 2026. We will be notifying applicants for interviews and making final decisions by April 2026.

Key Summer Dates:

Shops Begin Work: June 2, 2026
Rehearsals Begin: June 9, 2026 for acting apprentices; and June 2, 2026 for stage management apprentices.
Season Closes: August 30, 2026

Required Materials

Acting Apprentices

Virtual submissions are now open:

Please send an email to auditions@santacruzshakespeare.org with the subject line "Apprentice Video Submission" and content with the following:

A link to an audition video uploaded to YouTube (no Vimeo, no Google Drive, etc). The video should be under three minutes with two contrasting pieces, at least one of them Shakespeare (yes, both can be Shakespeare). A brief slate is welcome but not necessary.
An updated headshot and resume.
Answers to the following questions:

Are you a member of Actors' Equity?
Where are you based?
Do you have access to local housing?
Do you have reliable transportation in California?
Do you have a driver's license?

Your video will not be watched if you don't follow the above instructions.

Break a leg!

Job Details:
Three acting apprentices will be accepted for the 2026 Season. Our program provides acting apprentices the experience to work closely with professional artists and artisans to allow networking possibilities and to strengthen their craft with opportunities to perform in a repertory company. Acting apprentices are auditioned then cast in mainstage productions. Acting apprentices also participate in Master Classes taught by the season’s acting professionals on topics ranging from clowning to scene work, and the business of acting to Shakespeare’s verse. Acting apprentices are paid minimum wage, and non-locals may receive free housing for 12 weeks.

Stage Management Apprentices

Stage Management Apprentices Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@santacruzshakespeare.org with the subject line "Stage Management Apprenticeship Application".

Job Details:
Three apprentices will be accepted to work on the Mainstage productions. Stage Management apprentices work directly with our Professional AEA Stage Managers and non-Equity ASMs. Stage Management apprentices are paid minimum wage and non-locals receive free housing for 13 weeks. Duties will include, but are not limited to:

- Setting up rehearsal spaces and maintaining the rehearsal environment.
- Assisting with normal stage management duties.
- Taking line notes, and being on book for rehearsals.
- Assisting during understudy rehearsals.
- Assisting with floor management during the run of the show.
- Assisting Stage Management with paperwork - prop lists, contact sheets, calendars, etc.
- Serving as a member of the run crew (if needed).
- Assist on any special projects on an as-needed basis.