Summer
Professional Training Program
The
Next Stage Ensemble
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Next
Stage Ensemble members (l-r) Derek Wilson, Vince
Tula and Chris Landis in Love's Labour's Lost.
Photo: Warren Westura, 2003.
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Designed
for more experienced young actors, including alumni of the
Apprentice Company, the Next Stage Ensemble
rehearses and tours two abridged classic plays in repertory
throughout the state during the 11-week program.
The 12-member Ensemble also takes advanced classes in voice,
movement, and stage combat, and participates in seminars,
workshops and master classes. Finally, Next Stage members
also understudy Main Stage and Outdoor Stage performances,
allowing them to earn EMC points for the duration of the summer.
Admission to this
highly selective program is by audition or invitation only.
May
25-August 11, 2008
2007 Tuition/Fees:
$385
2007
Housing: $925
(plus $100 deposit)
The Program:
The primary focus
of Next Stage Ensemble training is rehearsing and touring
two abridged classic plays under the direction of professional
guest directors. Next Stage Ensemble members also receive
feedback from the Director of Education, the Associate Artistic
Director and other Shakespeare Theatre staff.
For approximately
seven weeks, the Ensemble tours both plays in repertory
to venues throughout the state, including libraries, retirement
homes, summer camps, community centers and parks, performing
for audiences of all ages. Most performances take place on
weekday evenings and weekend afternoons, six days a week.
The 2007 Next Stage Ensemble gave almost 50 performances.
In addition, performances
are offered to the entire Shakespeare Theatre community through
the Picnic Series and Late-Nite Series.
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Past NSE
Touring Productions:
| 2007 |
Twelfth
Night, by William Shakespeare; directed by Tim
Nicolai
Henry
IV, Part I, by William Shakespeare; directed by
Jason King Jones |
| 2006 |
The Tempest,
by William Shakespeare; directed by Stephen Davis
The Comedy
of Errors, by William Shakespeare; directed by Michael
Stewart Allen |
| 2005 |
Coriolanus, by William Shakespeare; directed
by Stephen Fried
London Assurance, by Dion
Boucicault, directed by Michael Stewart Allen |
| 2004 |
Henry V, by William Shakespeare;
directed by Craig A. Miller
The Beggar's Opera,
by John Gay, directed by Travis Newton |
| 2003 |
Love's Labour's Lost, by William Shakespeare;
directed by Brian B. Crowe
Antigone, adapted
from Sophocles and Jean Anouilh; directed by Vivienne
Benesch
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All Next Stage members
also take advanced classes in voice, movement and stage combat
during the training program. During the first few weeks of
the program, while the touring productions are in rehearsal,
the faculty provides individualized coaching and addresses
specific needs and issues that arise in the rehearsal process.
In the remaining
weeks, voice, movement, and combat classes will meet twice
a week for approximately 5 1/2 hours on each class day. Weekly
seminars and master classes will address ensemble skills,
audition technique, monologues, text analysis and other areas.
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The Next Stage Ensemble
is a highly selective program, and follows its own application
process, distinct from the other tiers of the Summer Professional
Training Program.
To be considered
for the Next Stage Ensemble, please submit a resume,
headshot and cover letter to:
Joe Discher, Associate Artistic Director
ATTN: Next Stage
Ensemble
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
36 Madison Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940
It is recommended
that you submit your materials no later than March 15 to be
sure that your application is considered.
If you are selected
for an audition, you will be contacted by the casting staff,
and an audition in our area will be scheduled during February–April.
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The members of the Next Stage Ensemble typically range in
age from 21-25, and have completed their undergraduate degrees
in acting. Some have begun work on their MFAs. Some are alumni
of The Shakespeare Theatre's Apprentice
Company. Occasionally, younger undergraduate
students with strong training and ability in classical acting
are accepted into the program. An audition is required for
all Next Stage members.
Ensemble members understudy the Main Stage and Outdoor
Stage productions during the 11 weeks of the training program.
Paperwork and more information about earning EMC points will
be provided to you at the start of the summer.
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Amanda Rafuse
as Caliban in the Next Stage Ensemble prodcution
of The Tempest.
Photo: Aaron Epstein, 1998.
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Not necessarily. There are no designated understudy performances
at The Shakespeare Theatre. Understudies have appeared on the
Main Stage when necessary. Main Stage audiences will have the
opportunity to see your work in the Picnic
Series held on the lawn in front of the theatre during the
summer.
In addition to receiving valuable training, actors who participate
in the Next Stage Ensemble build a relationship with the Shakespeare
Theatre that gives them prime consideration for the Main Stage
Non-Equity Company and the Shakespeare
LIVE! touring company in subsequent seasons.
Numerous Next Stage members have returned to The Shakespeare
Theatre to perform on the Main Stage and/or in Shakespeare
LIVE!
Where is
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey located?
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is located on the campus
of Drew University in scenic Madison, New Jersey (just 30
miles southwest of Manhattan), close to Morristown. Known
as "the University in the Forest," Drew boasts a beautiful
campus, and the majority of our company members enjoy escaping
from Manhattan for the summer to immerse themselves in the
classics in a pastoral setting. Manhattan is, however, easily
accessible via the NJ Transit system; approximately 50 minutes
by train.
Is The Shakespeare
Theatre of New Jersey a collegiate or a professional theatre?
Though the administrative and principal performance facilities
reside on the campus of Drew University, The Shakespeare Theatre
of New Jersey is a prominent, professional regional theatre
working under an AEA LORT contract. It runs in complete autonomy
from the university. The relationship with Drew began in 1972
when The Shakespeare Theatre (then known as New Jersey Shakespeare
Festival) was invited to be the professional theatre in residence
on the Drew University campus. Since that time, many Drew
students have become involved in The Shakespeare Theatre's
administrative and artistic training programs, and several
have forged a long-term professional relationship with the
company. Several Shakespeare Theatre staff members have also
acted as adjunct faculty and guest instructors in Drew University's
Theatre and Graduate English Studies programs.
Where do I
stay while at The Shakespeare Theatre?
Members of the Next Stage Ensemble live in the residence halls
on the Drew University campus, which have common kitchen and
laundry facilities. Standard rooms are double occupancy, although
single rooms are often available for the members of the Ensemble.
Other university facilities (the most notable of which is
the Simon Athletic Forum, which houses an indoor track, courts
for popular sports, a fitness room, a free weight room, and
an indoor swimming pool) are available to all Shakespeare
Theatre company members at no additional cost.
Training program participants
also enjoy the quaint environment of Madison's charming downtown,
which includes numerous shops and restaurants. Grocery stores,
shopping, restaurants and cinemas are within comfortable walking
distance from the campus, though many students choose to bring
their cars with them for the summer. The university snack
bar, cafeteria and bookstore are also available throughout
the summer for quick meals and shopping.
Next Stage members are generally asked to assist with one
Opening Night reception in the course of the summer. They
also receive an ushering orientation, and may be asked to
usher upon occasion.
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