Technical Theatre Apprenticeship
Our Technical Theatre Apprentices train beside professional costume and set designers, building their pre-college portfolio.
Technical Theatre apprentices concentrate on the scene shop (props, puppets and scenic painting), costume shop, or learn the elements of stage management (Troupe only). Technical apprentices receive individualized, hands-on training in all aspects of construction and production for outdoor theatre.
The National Endowment for the Arts identified Traveling Players as offering challenges unlike any other pre-college theatre program in the nation. A fully-immersive experience, these elite high school apprentices will attain new level of artistry, confidence, leadership, and independence.
For current 8th – 12th graders
- Shakespeare Ensemble (3 weeks)
- Shakespeare Troupe (6 weeks)
When our daughter did the sound for a local theater production, many of the group from last summer at TPE went to provide moral support and appreciate the technical aspects of the production, a level of maturity and insight beyond her public school circle.
– Parent
Interview Dates:
OUT OF THE AREA? INTERVIEW VIRTUALLY!: Our summer conservatories are residential, so our campers come from across the country & globe! Register for the audition and we’ll set up a date & time that works for you.
LIMITED AVAILABILITY: We only accept a limited number of Technical Theatre apprentices per summer, and applications are assessed on a rolling basis. We recommend registering for the earliest interview you can.
Watch a clip of our 2021 Thespian Ensemble perform The Blue Monster!
Our tech students helped paint and construct the set, props, puppets, and costumes.
Technical Theatre Apprenticeship - Info Session
- Saturday, March 27th, 12-1 pm (EST).
- Suitable for students in grades 8-12 and their parents/guardians.
- Event held online via Zoom.
- Host: Jeanne Harrison
Programs
Shakespeare Ensemble
Join the ensemble and produce Henry VI Pt. 3 with our wonderful Shakespeare Ensemble!
For current 8th – 12th graders
By interview only.
- Dates:
- Session 1: June 25 — July 14 (3 weeks) – Only 1 Spot Left!
- Session 2: July 16 — August 4 (3 weeks) – Only 2 Spots Left!
- Application Fee: $20
- Tuition: $5100
($5400 after the Early Bird Discount flies away Jan 31st)
- Design Renderings of sets, costumes, puppets, or props that you have created – Sketch, or digital
- Costumes or clothing that you have created or assisted on – Fashion, Theatrical, or Cosplay
- Props you have created or assisted on – Theatrical or Cosplay
- Puppets that you have created or assisted on – Theatrical or Cosplay
- Models, paint elevations or photos of sets or set pieces that you have worked on
- Run sheets, or other theatrical paperwork you created or worked with
- Paintings or drawings – any medium, nondigital preferred
- Sewing samples – Hand or Machine
- Sculptures – any medium
- A page from your sketchbook
By focusing on classical theatre, Traveling Players trains artists who are bold, resourceful, and skilled. Tour is demanding — and no two venues are ever quite the same. Hence, a summer at Traveling Players trains you to work across disciplines and in multiple roles.
Traveling Players summer programs offer expert training in sewing, painting, prop construction, sound operation, run crew, and quick changes. In addition to their work in the shops, technical apprentices join performers in daily classes taught by our talented faculty in subjects that help round out the campers as artists and as students.
Henry vi pt. iii
BY SHAKESPEARE
Dive headfirst into the infamous War of the Roses, with a twist. In our wasteland, actors can only rely on the last forms of art: Shakespeare and The Beatles.
York and his sons believe the crown was taken from them. They’ve built a faction of warriors to remove King Henry VI from his throne. But Henry and his kin won’t go down without a fight. In Shakespeare’s most brutal history, witness the lengths royals will go to, to establish what’s best for England. Sides are changed, appeals to other kingdoms are had, and blood will spill.
Meet some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters: the valiant crooked-backed prodigy, the she-wolf of France, and the Shepherd King. Journey to the England of old and see the pieces fall that lead to conniving Richard’s ascension. Witness one of history’s more brutal civil wars and dare to ask the question: what happens to art when the world ends?
Campers spend 3 weeks nestled in the scenic woods of Virginia, rehearsing, taking classes, and making friends and memories for a lifetime!
Campers live in comfy, cozy Lodges (with electricity, AC, and bathrooms – flush toilets & showers!).
- Our campus features 3 Lodges around a central quad. Campers live with near-age peers, expanding their friendships to other ensembles.
- Each Lodge includes two sleeping bays of 8-12 beds (4-6 bunk beds).
- Each Lodge is unique, but all include common areas — inside with big comfy couches for relaxing, memorizing lines and hanging out with your friends; outside with large porches or pavilions offering even more hangout space for each Lodge.
- Staff live in private rooms within the Lodges so that they are nearby, attentive, and available, while still allowing campers an appropriate level of privacy.
- Artistic Director Jeanne Harrison lives next door to the Lodges in a cottage – always available.
Campers eat a delicious, diverse, and healthy menu. Fresh produce is always available, and every meal will have multiple entre options, including vegetarian options. New this year – we’ll send out a questionnaire gathering more information about how each camper eats.
When not in rehearsal, a variety of fun activities are on offer – both exciting and relaxing: swimming, canoeing, hiking, challenge course, volleyball or just chilling out in a hammock. On weekends and in the evenings, the community will come together for inter-ensemble activities like improv jams, color wars, talent shows, and camp prom, as well as celebrate each other’s artistic growth during Revels.
Campers are immersed in an intentional community of their peers. They will help maintain the community (sweeping their cabins/chopping vegetables) as well as shape it, by suggesting events and activities they want to pursue. The Lodge Forum is our weekly inter-ensemble meeting where everyone can come together and make choices that benefit the community. It is a way for our campers to have a meaningful impact on the community, and it gives them appropriate responsibility for the communities’ wellbeing and joy.
Camping out in tents allow students to enjoy all nature has to offer — and let’s them be just with their ensemble for one night a week. During campouts, campers learn the fundamentals of Leave No Trace camping, including how to pitch a tent, build a fire and campfire cooking. And of course, no campout is complete without plenty of s’mores!
All-Inclusive Tuition: $5100
($5400 after the Early Bird Discount flies away Jan 31st)
- Any gift card balance counts towards your enrollment! You can check your balance at any time here.
- Tell me about discounts!
- The Traveling Players Difference
- Information on financial aid.
Shakespeare Troupe
Join the ensemble and produce Romeo & Juliet for our rigorous six-week program, Shakespeare Troupe!
For current 9th – 12th graders
By interview only.
- Dates:
- June 25 — August 4 (6 weeks) – Only 1 Spot Left!
- Mid-summer Vacation: July 14 (11:30 am) – July 16 (1:00 pm)
- Tour: July 26 – August 2
- June 25 — August 4 (6 weeks) – Only 1 Spot Left!
- Application Fee: $60
- Tuition: $8950
($9450 after the Early Bird Discount flies away Jan 31st)
- Design Renderings of sets, costumes, puppets, or props that you have created – Sketch, or digital
- Costumes or clothing that you have created or assisted on – Fashion, Theatrical, or Cosplay
- Props you have created or assisted on – Theatrical or Cosplay
- Puppets that you have created or assisted on – Theatrical or Cosplay
- Models, paint elevations or photos of sets or set pieces that you have worked on
- Stage manager’s promptbook
- Run sheets, cue sheets or other theatrical paperwork
- Paintings or drawings – any medium, nondigital preferred
- Sewing samples – Hand or Machine
- Sculptures – any medium
- A page from your sketchbook
By focusing on classical theatre, Traveling Players trains artists who are bold, resourceful, and skilled. A summer at Traveling Players trains you to work across disciplines and in multiple roles.
Traveling Players summer programs offer expert training in sewing, painting, prop construction, sound and light board operation, quick changes, and run crew. In addition to their work in the shops, technical apprentices join performers in daily classes taught by our talented faculty in subjects that help round out the campers as artists and as students.
Romeo & Juliet
BY SHAKESPEARE
Brawls are breaking out in the streets of Verona. The feud between the Capulets and Montagues is at a boiling point, and the Prince himself has stepped in to keep the peace. So when Romeo (a Montague) and Juliet (a Capulet) suddenly fall in love, the world is against them from the start.
The famously star-crossed lovers struggle against overbearing parents, the laws of church and state, and even their own affections in Shakespeare’s breathless ode to the passions of adolescence.
Campers spend 6 weeks nestled in the scenic woods of Virginia, rehearsing, taking classes, and making friends and memories for a lifetime!
Campers live in comfy, cozy Lodges (with electricity, AC, and bathrooms – flush toilets & showers!).
- Our campus features 3 Lodges around a central quad. Campers live with near-age peers, expanding their friendships to other ensembles.
- Each Lodge includes two sleeping bays of 8-12 beds (4-6 bunk beds).
- Each Lodge is unique, but all include common areas — inside with big comfy couches for relaxing, memorizing lines and hanging out with your friends; outside with large porches or pavilions offering even more hangout space for each Lodge.
- Staff live in private rooms within the Lodges so that they are nearby, attentive, and available, while still allowing campers an appropriate level of privacy.
- Artistic Director Jeanne Harrison lives next door to the Lodges in a cottage – always available.
Campers eat a delicious, diverse, and healthy menu. Fresh produce is always available, and every meal will have multiple entre options, including vegetarian options. New this year – we’ll send out a questionnaire gathering more information about how each camper eats.
When not in rehearsal, a variety of fun activities are on offer – both exciting and relaxing: swimming, canoeing, hiking, challenge course, volleyball or just chilling out in a hammock. On weekends and in the evenings, the community will come together for inter-ensemble activities like improv jams, color wars, talent shows, and camp prom, as well as celebrate each other’s artistic growth during Revels.
Campers are immersed in an intentional community of their peers. They will help maintain the community (sweeping their cabins/chopping vegetables) as well as shape it, by suggesting events and activities they want to pursue. The Lodge Forum is our weekly inter-ensemble meeting where everyone can come together and make choices that benefit the community. It is a way for our campers to have a meaningful impact on the community, and it gives them appropriate responsibility for the communities’ wellbeing and joy.
Camping out in tents allow students to enjoy all nature has to offer — and let’s them be just with their ensemble for one night a week. During campouts, campers learn the fundamentals of Leave No Trace camping, including how to pitch a tent, build a fire and campfire cooking. And of course, no campout is complete without plenty of s’mores!
After 5-weeks of rehearsals, we’ll hit the road by bus and by backpack for a professional performance tour. We won’t return to camp each night, instead we’ll explore and campout in some of the most beautiful campgrounds Virginia has to offer.
Past tours have included performances at The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Colonial Williamsburg, Lime Kiln Theater, and Tysons Corner Center.
I had no idea that Traveling Players would be one the most interesting lines on my resume that every college interviewer asked me a question about.
— Former Student & Faculty
While not all of our alumni pursue theatre professionally, those that do have found great success. Our students have attended Brown, Harvard, Yale, Emerson, Muhlenberg, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, among other colleges, often receiving artistic awards and/or scholarships. Our alumni are currently working with the SITI Company, Trinity Rep, Shakespeare & Company and Cal Shakes.
My ability to take on big projects, deal with time constraints, work in groups, take positions of leadership, and improvise new solutions under difficult circumstances are all part of what I learned at Traveling Players. They have allowed me to follow my passions in all directions–political, activist, artistic, charitable and personal–and they have made me a more flexible and resilient person.
— Former Student & Faculty
All-Inclusive Tuition: $8950
($9450 after the Early Bird Discount flies away Jan 31st)
- Any gift card balance counts towards your enrollment! You can check your balance at any time here.
- Tell me about discounts!
- The Traveling Players Difference
- Information on financial aid.