Trainee Program

Silicon Valley Shakespeare creates opportunities for emerging artists, graduating high school through college age, to grow in their craft.

Acting Trainees

Our Acting Trainee program focuses on experiential training to help young artists gain real-world experience to enter into a theatre career. Acting trainees receive professional mentorship, audition coaching, and practical experience on stage. Participants are selected from our general audition and callbacks for individual shows.

BENEFITS

  • Casting in one or more of Silicon Valley Shakespeare’s productions, alongside seasoned Bay Area actors

  • Individualized audition monologue coaching, with a focus on Shakespearean monologues

  • Comprehensive training in stage makeup application

  • Professional headshots taken by SVS photographers, with a makeup artist provided

  • Creation of a professional theatre resume with guidance from trainee mentors

Design and Tech Trainees

SVS’s design and technical theatre trainee program focus on experiential training to help young designers and technicians gain real-world experiences to help them enter into a theatre career. Silicon Valley Shakespeare trainees receive professional mentorship and practical experience behind-the-scenes.

BENEFITS

  • Receive professional mentoring from SVS staff

  • SCENIC CREW: Coaching in set building basics, set building immersion, and scenic design mentoring

  • LIGHTING DESIGN: Shadow and assist Master Electrician and Lighting Designer, possible light-board operation opportunities

  • HAIR & MAKEUP: Shadow and assist Resident Hair/Makeup Designer

  • COSTUMES: Shadow and assist costume designer

  • Letter of Recommendation at conclusion of mentorship

Apply

If you are interested in any of our trainee programs please email our Artistic Director, Angie Higgins, by clicking the button below.

Please include the following in your email:

  • Acting or Technical Theatrical Resume

  • One Reference (Phone + Email): Must be a Theatre Arts Instructor or Director

  • Answer these questions:

    • Why do you seek to be a trainee?

    • Which trainee program are you interested in, and what do you hope to gain from a trainee with Silicon Valley Shakespeare?

    • What are your future goals?

What are our trainees saying?

  • Alex Draa

    Alex Draa

    ACTING TRAINEE, 2014
    CASSIO in Othello

    “The summer trainee program was an amazing experience. To be able to work with such talented actors and learn from some incredible people was a huge gift. It was great to be a part of something so invigorating, and I’m so happy I made countless friends and colleagues in the process.”

  • Eden Rousso

    Eden Rousso

    ACTING TRAINEE, 2014
    KITTY BENNET in Pride and Prejudice

    “I would have to say that being an acting trainee for SVS has been an awesome experience! The level of professionalism and focus, yet the fun vibe of the cast, was such a blessing… I definitely felt like I learned a lot at the monologue workshop—they gave me a new approach to a monologue I am very familiar with. Fixing my resume was very useful and the headshots are phenomenal.”

  • Maya Jain

    Maya Jain

    TECH THEATRE TRAINEE, 2014
    OPERATOR for Pride and Prejudice

    “The summer I spent working at Silicon Valley Shakespeare was my introduction into the real world of theatre. I had a really rich opportunity as I spent my summer working on the sets and actually working the light board during a show. I had the experience of working with people who are theatre professionals while at the same time feeling comfortable as a student trainee… It was definitely the experience of a lifetime and I highly encourage anyone to take advantage of this opportunity.”