Weathervane Theatre Intern Program

Weathervane Theatre Intern Program

INTERN PROGRAM

Instituted in 1991, the Weathervane Theatre's Program is a formalized, accredited, tuition-based internship designed to immerse participants in practical theatre arts training.  The program is incomparable as a package of experience and training in a professional environment. 

Each intern receives a general, hands-on survey of the various aspects of professional theatre. Focus is on the technique and crafts practiced by the Weathervane in their more than forty-year development and honing of alternating repertory scheduling and open staging. 
[The Weathervane has no proscenium arch, stage curtains, or fixed staging:  a two-story with balcony fixture, levels, insets, and removable raked central pie offer challenging and imaginative staging for each and every performance.]

Seminars and Workshops designed specifically for the Program are scheduled and conducted by Weathervane Company professionals and departments heads, as well as guest artists and directors.  Shop assignments continue throughout the summer, and Interns may work in the costume, lighting, scenic, box office or prop shops in addition to Mainstage appearances.

Members of the Intern Program are exclusively responsible for developing and performing as the PATCHWORK PLAYERS -- the children's theatre wing of the Weathervane.  Four 55-minute shows are produced, including and concluding with a completely original collaborative work that is scripted, staged and composed by the Interns under the direction of the Program staff.

THE SCHEDULE

The Weathervane Theatre Intern Program is a six-day-a-week training and work program running consecutive to our summer performance Season (Sundays off).  Housing for the entire Season, two (sometimes three) to a room; and meals six days a week, are included. 

Arrival offers orientation, as well as organization. Under the guidance of the Program Director, rehearsals begin for the first Patchwork show, and interns are introduced to the technical departments and working space.   A daily schedule for the group and individuals is developed to include workshops, seminars and department assignments, with supervision coming from department heads, administration and stage management.  The first Patchwork show opens by the end of the second week.  Simultaneously, rehearsals have begun for the Season's Mainstage opening.  Each performance intern is guaranteed onstage performance roles in select Mainstage productions throughout the summer:  casting based on on-site auditions for slotted chorus, ensemble, and/or supporting roles.

In the following weeks a daily schedule is pursued by each intern, which may include attending workshops, work assignments, Patchwork and Mainstage rehearsals, as well as individual coaching sessions in music, voice and/or acting.

The 2007 Intern Company were integral members of Mainstage performances throughout the summer.

This year, Interns appeared in chorus, ensemble, and supporting roles in six of our seven Mainstage productions - pictured here from a new addition to their schedule:  a late Season Showcase Cabaret with the entire Intern Company sharing some of their favorite numbers and scenes, this summer, appropriately, on the set of Guys and Dolls.

COLLEGE CREDITS /Equity (AEA) Points

Pending application, each intern may take advantage of the program's accreditation and receive one to six credits from Lyndon State College (VT) which may be transferable nationwide.  Credits may be earned at the undergraduate or graduate levels: registration fee and per-credit cost is set by Lyndon State (please inquire at time of acceptance/registration to the Intern Program).  Interns may also receive credit through their own institution.  It is the responsibility of the intern to negotiate the transfer or these credits with their own home university or college departments.

Equity Member Candidacy (EMC) in the Actors' Equity Association (AEA) is available to all interns.  If they have not yet registered with AEA, they may pay a one-time registration fee to AEA if they choose to acquire Equity points.  The rate of accrual is one point per performance week.

TUITION

In 2007, tuition of $1600 for the Season covered ten weeks from late June through Season close; and included:
- Room and Board
- Seminars, workshops, technical training
- Principle roles, Patchwork children's theatre
- Mainstage chorus, ensemble, supporting roles
- Options for EMC points or college credit as separately enrolled

Payment Schedule:
Non-refundable deposit of $200 with acceptance
Payment of $700 due by May 1
Payment of $700 balance due by June 1
Add'l or other fees, EMC or college credit in accordance with their deadlines.

APPLICATIONS

The Weathervane interviews and auditions candidates for the Intern Program at regional NETC and STRAW HAT sessions in the spring:  applications/inquiries may also be directed to:
Weathervane Theatre INTERNS, PO Box 127, Whitefield, NH  03598
or contact Guil Fisher guil12@verizon.net or info@weathervanetheatre.org

 About our Intern Program Staff
- GUIL FISHER, Director and Coordinator; AEA member, Director and Writer
- Gibbs Murray, Weathervane co-founder; retired Professor & Dept. Chair, Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC
- Richard Portner, Weathervane Managing Director; Professor television studies and Fine & Performing Arts, Lyndon State College, VT
- Jacques Stewart, Weathervane Artistic Director, independent producer; AEA and SDC
- plus professional supervisors/managers/actors from the Season's resident Company and visiting guest artists