[sc:Intro-Text-Start ]“Working with other theatre companies, I’ve found the college age interns aren’t paid and high school kids aren’t even present. The kids at CTC are more empowered, more in control, and more responsible from doing a grown up job in a professional theatre company”
-Joel Ripka, Actor [sc:Intro-Text-End ]
What is the Youth Apprentice Program (YAP)?
Since 1994, YAP has given an unforgettable summer experience to over 350 high school and college-age kids. YAP gives a boost, both economically and personally, to our community’s young people while also cultivating the next generation of theatre-makers and theatre-goers
YAP functions as an introduction to theatre practice for high schoolers and as a career stepping stone for college students.
From box office management to backstage run crew, our apprentices gain hands-on experience in technical theatre, artistic management, and artistic process through mentorship with professional theatre artists.
YAP provides not only valuable job skills, but income.
Internships at other theatre programs are often unpaid or exclude high school students.
Positions are available each summer in various areas of production, administration, and stage management varying from short commitments and day work to summer long positions.
How do I support YAP?
For the 2013 season, CTC received grants from Shurtleff Children’s Services, Art Angels, and the Debra Jo Rupp Foundation in support of YAP. Many members of the CTC community also supported YAP as part of our 2013 Friends renewal campaign. Because of this support we were able to add a professional development seminar for our apprentices, where CTC Artists-in-Residence discussed their background, training, and experiences as theatre professionals. The seminar included a question-and-answer session and was concluded with a dinner donated by Esselon Cafe of Hadley.
When you support YAP, you not only provide the children of our community with summer employment, you support the development of our next generation of theatre professionals. Here is what your contribution could do:
- $150 sponsors a sound board operator for one week
- $500 sponsors an assistant stage manager for three weeks
If you are a student interested in applying for the Youth Apprentice Program, please see our “Job Opportunities” page for additional details on positions available and how to apply.
[sc:Intro-Text-Start ]“I’ve learned countless things about theatre craft and myself at CTC but, most importantly, I learned what professional theatre really is.”
-Sarah Dion, 3-time YAP Participant
MFA Candidate in Stage Management at UCSD[sc:Intro-Text-End ]
Donations are accepted year-round for YAP at our box office, by phone at 413-354-7770, or by mail at: Chester Theatre Company, PO Box 722, Chester, MA 01011.
