Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Apprentice Company program is tuition-free!

Training is typically three weeks in July, Monday through Friday evenings from 5-10 pm. Once training is complete, apprentices go into regular rehearsals for Summer Shakespeare. Summer Shakespeare rehearsals are typically 6 days a week; rehearsal calls and times vary per production. Once the Summer Shakespeare production opens, it runs for four weeks in Nashville, and one week in Franklin. Shows are Thursday-Sunday nights and Labor Day Monday night. Apprentices are also needed at strike in Nashville and Franklin.

*We work to accommodate students’ class schedules if they are returning to school.

Training takes place in the evening from 5-10 pm, to accommodate folks with day jobs.

Sample Schedule:

5-5:30: Check in, games, physical and vocal warm up.

5:30-7: Workshop: Text analysis. We start by reading a speech aloud and practice scansion, a tool to analyze the poetry and to find the heartbeat of the character speaking. Actors then practice these tools with their assigned monologue.

7-7:30 Dinner Break

7:30-9:30: Workshop with visiting Teaching Artist on Stage Combat. This workshop introduces the best practices of basic hand-to-hand stage combat. Actors are led in a physical war- up, safety talk, and then instructed through drills to practice partner work, weight sharing, knaps, safe falls, punches, and small bits of choreography. Actors receive individual instruction throughout. This workshop is the first of two or three taking place across the training period, and will build with each visit. These workshops are taught by a professional actor who teaches at the college level and is certified in Stage Combat. Q&A at the end.

9:30-10:00: Group discussion, wrap up from workshops of the day, answer questions, discuss the next day's work, and check out.

We design ApCo training so that apprentices learn pertinent skills for their developing craft, as well as those that may be specific to the Summer Shakespeare production. We will always include yoga and breathwork, movement and dance, text analysis, stage combat, Suzuki method, and monologue coaching. In the past, we have had special workshops on clowning, audition prep, vocal technique, improvisation, music and percussion and more.

Training culminates in a showcase on the final Saturday of Apprentice Company Training. Apprentices are also cast in the professional Summer Shakespeare production. Apprentices are also often understudies for larger roles in the show.

Apprentices often are given their roles during the training process.

The role of an apprentice spans wider than just your role in the Summer Shakespeare production as you are an integral part of the ensemble, the tech process, and the overall production team.

During the run of Summer Shakespeare, apprentices are assigned a certain department to report to when they arrive for each performance. Those include costumes, lights, sound, front of house, props, and stage management. Apprentices have assignments to help the production run smoothly, and once those tasks are complete, they head to get in costume for the show. Likewise, at the end of the show, apprentices check in with their department, complete a few tasks, sign out with stage management, and are free to go.

You don’t have to be an actor to be in the Apprentice Company! We have had many apprentices in the past who were aspiring directors, stage managers, dramaturgs, you name it! We do have all apprentices go through the training program to help build the ensemble and to support the experience of the Summer Shakespeare production. ApCo folks who do not perform in the show may earn larger production roles during Summer Shakespeare.

That’s okay, we can help with that!

A headshot is any current photo of yourself that looks like you! Your hairstyle, glasses, facial hair, piercings, anything that shows us your essence. No filters please.

A resume is a list of your pertinent experience. Please be sure to include your name and contact information. It’s also great to include schooling, work experience, stage experience (educational and professional), and special skills.

We know you’re way more than a sheet of paper, but we want to know more about your experience before you walk in the door for your audition.

You apply by signing up for an audition slot for Summer Shakespeare. In your paperwork, make sure to indicate your interest in the Apprentice Company. Apprentices are first seen at open auditions for Summer Shakespeare. You’ll need a current headshot and resume. For more information on auditions and what to prepare, visit our Auditions page.

Our hope is always to have apprentices join us for training and the full production run. If your schedule does not allow you to participate in the show, we may be able to arrange your participation in only the training and showcase. This is on a case-by-case basis. Let us know ASAP if you are interested in this option.

If you have conflicts, please do your best to communicate all of them as early as possible. On your audition sheet, please list them as clearly as you can. We will work with you as much as possible, but we ask that you keep conflicts to a minimum. Please email Education Director, Katie Bruno katie@nashvilleshakes.org if you have questions.