Curriculum
The Apprentice experience is made up of three parts.
I. Through workshops lead by professional playwrights, directors, and actors from the Playwrights Repertory Company, apprentices build an ensemble-created performance piece performed in a fully-equipped studio theatre during the Festival Week.
Apprentices will sign up for either one (1) or two (2) regular, credit-bearing Theatre Arts course(s) that can be applied toward a Brown degree or transferred back to the visiting student's home institution. All students will be placed in either “Acting” (Brown's intermediate scene study course that includes principles of directing) or “Acting for Camera.” Upon acceptance in the company, apprentices will be individually advised as to the appropriate course. Additionally, each student will participate in the Apprentice Workshop. Students who wish to receive a second academic credit will enroll in “The Creative Ensemble.” Along with participation in the Apprentice Workshop, students enrolled in this course will be involved in a related research project.
Brown students must choose the S/NC grade option. Visiting students may arrange with the instructor to choose the letter grade option. For complete course descriptions, please see the Summer Session course catalogue.
II. Each apprentice works in a support capacity on one or more of the Playwrights Repertory Theatre plays. Assignments may include: assistant to the director, assistant stage manager, run crew, board operator, box office and publicity, dramaturgy, costume and prop construction, sound or light tech. Occasionally, an apprentice might be asked to understudy or to perform a small role.
III. Apprentices work closely with students in the pre-college TheatreBridge Company, teaching, mentoring, and directing their creative projects. As members of the Apprentice Company develop their own skills, they are challenged to pass them along to students in the younger company.
A typical apprentice day would include 3 hours work on the credit-bearing classes, 2 hours in the Apprentice Workshop, 2 hours of creative work/rehearsal, 1 hour teaching/directing in the TheatreBridge Company, and 4 hours (more during technical rehearsals) working alongside paid professionals on the creative or technical staff of the Playwrights Rep.
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