How to Apply

All applicants must apply via the online application below, which includes contact information as well as the upload of both a 500-word-or-less personal statement and a résumé. All applicants must also provide the names and contact information for three references, along with a brief description of their relationship with each referrer. Please refer to the additional materials for your specific apprenticeship if applicable. You may submit the application multiple times (for apprenticeships in multiple areas); just be sure to tailor each application for that specific apprenticeship.

Your personal statement should be 500 words or less and may include the following: your career objectives and how you hope to achieve them, your experience and/or education in theatre, and the qualities you possess that recommend you as a candidate for an apprenticeship. Your personal statement should reveal information about you that might not be represented in your résumé or references.

The deadline to apply is Saturday, January 31st, 2026 at 11:59pm PST.

***Key Summer Dates***

• Shops Begin Work: June 2026
• Rehearsals Begin: June 2026 for most apprentices and interns 
• Summer Season Closes: TBA
  • 1 Acting apprentice might stay an additional week and will be paid for their additional time.
  • 1 Stage Management apprentice might stay an additional week and will be paid for their additional time.

***Additional Materials***

• Costume Design Internship Applicants should submit an electronic portfolio of their work, either with the online application, by providing a website address, or by emailing a file.

• Acting Apprenticeship Applicants must audition. Auditions should total no more than 3 minutes, and they should consist of the following:
  • 2 contrasting monologues, one of which must be from Shakespeare's canon; OR
  • 2 contrasting monologues, one of which must be from Shakespeare’s canon, plus 16-32 bars of a song (if you play an instrument, you may include this as well); OR
  • 1 Shakespeare monologue, plus 16-32 bars of a song (if you play an instrument, you may include this as well).

    Please upload audition reels to Vimeo or YouTube as a single video. Please send video submissions to apprentice@santacruzshakespeare.org. Apprentices must audition via video submission. Do not attend the in-person audition call unless you are auditioning for professional work (not the Apprenticeship program).

• Directing and Dramaturgy Internship Applicants must submit a proposal, no more than one page in length, pitching a concept for a Shakespeare play. Be creative!

Please note that, while we accept submissions year-round, we will not review them until February 2026. We will contact select applicants for interviews and make final decisions by April 2026.

Paid Apprenticeships Available:

• Acting
• Stage Management

Unpaid Internships Available:

• Directing and Dramaturgy
• Costume Design

 

Acting

Acting apprentices will be selected for the 2025 Season. Our program provides acting apprentices the opportunity to work alongside professional artists and artisans -- networking, strengthening their craft, and performing in a repertory company. All acting apprentices are cast in mainstage productions. Acting apprentices also participate in Master Classes taught by the company's professional members. Topics range from clowning to scene work, and from the business of theatre to Shakespearean verse. Acting apprentices are paid weekly. Non-locals may also receive free housing for the 12 weeks of their apprenticeship.

Stage Management

Apprentices will be selected to work on the Mainstage productions. Stage Management apprentices work directly with our AEA Stage Managers and non-AEA ASMs. Stage Management apprentices are paid weekly. Non-locals may receive free housing for the 13 weeks of their apprenticeship.

Costume Design

Interns in costume design will work directly under the Costume Shop Manager. Non-locals may receive free housing for the 12 weeks of their apprenticeship. Costume Design interns are selected to support season costume designers on all summer productions.

Directing and Dramaturgy

Interns will be selected to support the directors and dramaturgs working on our summer mainstage productions. Responsibilities will vary based on the individual directors, dramaturgs, and production needs. Interns may be asked to observe rehearsals; they may also be assigned projects and research based on the scope of work outlined by the dramaturgy and directing staff. They may also assist in various crew positions. Non-locals may receive free housing for the 12 weeks of their apprenticeship.

Ready to Apply?

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE APPLICATION.

The Tommy Gomez Fund

Santa Cruz Shakespeare is committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in theatre. To this end, our Tommy Gomez Fund provides financial awards to select applicants who identify as BIPOC or people of the Global Majority. In order to be considered, please contact Rebecca Clark at apprentice@santacruzshakespeare.org and submit a one-page statement describing how this award would facilitate your participation in our apprenticeship program.