Commonwealth Shakespeare Company: Apprentice Program

The CSC Apprentice Program is an intensive summer training program for young actors who are actively pursuing a career in theatre.

This eight week training runs concurrently with CSC’s signature event, Free Shakespeare on the Common. The CSC Apprenticeship* offers a robust Shakespearean performance focus through professionally directed showcase productions held in Boston. CSC faculty support the work in the rehearsal room through classes in Shakespeare Text Analysis and Linklater Voice. Apprentices will also receive individua

l monologue coaching from members of CSC2 (CSC’s advanced actor training program for post-graduate actors) and other CSC professional acting alumni as part of a cross-mentorship program, as well as scenic coaching from the program’s directing staff. Academy staff will work with you and your coach to select and develop new material to strengthen your Shakespearean audition arsenal and expand your classical range. In addition, Apprentices will engage in a weekly company conversation series, meeting with members of the professional artistic company to discuss their artistic process for the summer’s production as well as larger career questions. Interspersed during the program, guest teachers and artists will share their work and expertise in short masterclass opportunities. The Apprentice Program is designed as a fully-immersive training program that allows students to experience the professional theatre and the beautiful city of Boston. This is a joy-based program with an ethos of care; students’ skills and progress are measured with constructive feedback for optimal growth. The Apprentice Program’s schedule is a rigorous one, but highly rewarding for students who are committed to their training. Local housing, scholarships and financial aid are available!

*Apprentices may choose to bring their skills and enthusiasm to audience engagement and front-of-house work on the Boston Common through our Audience Ambassadorship. This opportunity comes with a $600 tuition credit where participating apprentices will find they are an integral part of the mainstage production’s success. Audience Ambassadors also have the option to earn EMC points towards the Apprentice’s Actor’s Equity Association Membership as well as be considered for understudy opportunities for the Shakespeare on the Common show, should they choose. COVID Safety:
CSC will require all Apprentice Program participants and staff to provide proof of a completed FDA-approved vaccine regimen for COVD-19 (at least two weeks past the final dose of Pfizer/Moderna or two weeks past the dose of J&J). Additional protocols regarding masking, testing, and/or vaccine booster requirements will be announced closer to the program dates. Audience Ambassador work-study participants who are selected to understudy on the Boston Common may be required to follow additional COVID safety protocols based on AEA guidance at that time.

Photos from Commonwealth Shakespeare Company: Apprentice Program's post

06/28/2024

We’re ecstatic to introduce the cast of our Apprentice Program’s production of “Richard II” directed by Victoria Townsend! This gothic, historical piece is going to be one for the books!

Performances at Suffolk University’s Modern Theatre:
Saturday July 27th at 2pm
Wednesday July 31st at 5pm
Friday August 2nd at 7:30pm

ID: Headshots of the Apprentice Company cast of “Richard II” again a textured purple backdrop with some candles at the bottom.

06/28/2024

We’re super excited to announce the cast of our Apprentice Program’s production of “Two Noble Kinsmen” directed by Regine Vital. This Greek life take on this comedic play will be one you don’t want to miss!

Performances at Suffolk University’s Modern Theatre:
Friday July 26th at 7:30pm
Sunday July 28th at 1pm
Thursday August 1st at 5pm

ID: Headshots of the Apprentice Company cast of “Two Noble Kinsmen” against a beige backdrop with spray paint and gold Greek design.

06/19/2024

Welcome to Part 1 of Meet the Apprentices! Everyone has been working super hard and we’d love to let you get an insight into who they are!

[DT: Apprentices speak to camera. Captions appear on screen.]

06/13/2024

We’ve officially started our Apprentice Program for 2024! It was very wonderful getting to meet everyone and we’re excited to get the summer started!

ID: CSC’s 2024 Apprentices taking a group photo, smiling with excitement as they begin their journey with Commonwealth.

04/24/2024

🚨🚨🚨

FINAL Deadline! ⏰
This Friday, April 26th, is your final day to submit your Apprentice application for 2024! As part of one of the nation’s premier summer Shakespeare training programs, actors will train with some of the finest in classical performance as they work toward the Apprentice Repertory Company (ARC) performances. Suffolk University is the Official Apprentice Program Partner.
Learn More and Apply ➡️ commshakes.org/apprentice

[ID: Apprentices smiling on the Common (PC: Nile Scott Studios). "Unlock Your Shakespeare" and "Final Deadline" in white text.]

01/05/2024

Applications are Open Now!! 🎉🎉🎉

and Apply Now to CSC's Apprentice Training Program! As part of one of the nation’s premier summer Shakespeare training programs, actors will train with some of the finest in classical performance as they work toward the Apprentice Repertory Company (ARC) performances. Suffolk University Theatre Department is the Official Apprentice Program Partner.
Learn More and Apply ➡️ commshakes.org/apprentice

ID: Images of Apprentices in Performances (PC: Nile Scott Studios) and an Aerial Photo of our stage on Boston Common (PC: Josh Sutton). A CSC and Suffolk University Logo. "Unlock Your Shakespeare" and "Apprentice Training Program June 12 - August 4, 2024" in white text.

09/28/2023

We are so excited to announce this year’s second co-chair, Fatima Barrie, a member of the class of 2022!

Fatima is super excited to be serving alongside Sophie as one of the committee chairs! This is her second year on the committee, and she served as events director last year. She is an NYC based artist, and a recent graduate from Shenandoah Conservatory with a BFA in Acting. In her free time she enjoys spending time in nature, doing yoga, eating dessert, reading tarot, and re watching Abbott Elementary.

Fatima’s Goals: I am really happy about the fact that we’ve expanded the board this year, and I hope to be more involved and engaged with the wider CSC community.

ID: Fatima Barrie’s headshot against a blue gradient background

09/22/2023

We are so excited to announce our 2023-2024 Alumni Committee EBoard, beginning with our returning Co-Chair, Sophie Leiton Toomey!

Sophie Leiton Toomey is a recent graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts where she received her BFA in Drama and a double minor in Producing and Business, Entertainment, Media and Technology. Sophie has acted across, film, tv, stage and musical theatre. Her most recent NYC credits include, Olivia (Shocking Backpack), Mrs. Sganarelle (Sganarelle), Emmeline (Time Share), and the Host (The Place). She has been a part of the CSC family since 2020 for the first virtual Apprenticeship and came full circle this past summer in Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Victoria Townsend! Sophie is also in the process of producing and pitching her own unique take on Hamlet with Princess Hamlet, a genderbent version of the classical tale with an entirely genderbent cast, riches, mayhem, murder, and so much more. This will be Sophie's third and final year as the CSC Alumni Chair and she hopes to close out her tenure with a bang!

Sophie’s goals for the EBoard this year:

With the expansion of the E-Board, I sincerely hope that we can create a more effective, active and sufficient board to bring excitement and activity back to the E-Board and to the Alumni Committee as a whole. We've made some great progress in the past two years but now, with the largest E-Board ever, I'm hoping we can provide a wide variety of services, activities, and perspectives on the council for the Commonwealth community both here in Boston and abroad.

ID: Sophie Leiton Toomey’s headshot against a blue gradient background

07/30/2023

Our apprentices had the opportunity to chat with our Macbeth, Faran Tahir today! It was a wonderful conversation about the artistic process and the theatre industry, and we are thankful to Faran for sharing his expertise with our apprentice ensemble!

ID: the 2023 apprentices posed with Faran Tahir on the stage of the Modern Theatre

07/29/2023

“Cry ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the dogs of war!”

Our second Apprentice Repertory Production, “Julius Caesar” directed by Bryn Boice, opens this afternoon to a sold out crowd at the Modern Theatre! You have two more chances to see this punk rock reframing of Shakespeare’s classic political tragedy on Wednesday August 2nd at 5:00 PM and Friday August 4th at 7:30 PM. Head to our website to reserve pay what you can tickets now!

📸: Nile Scott Studios

ID: Photos of the ARC cast of “Julius Caesar” in performance at the Modern Theatre

07/28/2023

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

Wishing a happy opening night to the Apprentice Repertory Cast of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” directed by Victoria Townsend! You can catch this hilariously high energy production tonight at 7:30, as well as Sunday July 30th at 1:00 PM and Thursday August 3rd at 5:00 PM at Suffolk University’s Modern Theatre. Head to our website to reserve your pay what you can tickets now!

ID: Photos of the Apprentice Repertory Cast of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in performance at the Modern Theatre

📸 Nile Scott Hawver (Nile Scott Studios)

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Website

http://commshakes.org/training/Apprentice-Program

Address

101 Arch Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA
02110