Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Requirements: Hunter Theatre Department
All Theatre Majors are required to complete 2 Apprenticeships prior to graduation (transfer students who arrive at Hunter with 2 years or less remaining only need to complete 1 Apprenticeship).
Each semester, students are given the opportunity to work backstage on the departmental production in the form of an Apprenticeship. This is comparable in time commitment to a three-credit class (between 45-90 hours per apprenticeship). In this required assignment, you will be trained and supervised by our department faculty and staff in production areas such as Scene Shop, Costume Shop, Electrics, Stage Management, Running Crew, Wardrobe, Board Operation (Light and Sound), Ushering, and Office Administration (Administration, Web Design, and Marketing).
For more information or to become involved in an Apprenticeship, contact the Department’s Head of Production, Brad Krumholz, at bkrumhol@hunter.cuny.edu.
Weekly shifts spread throughout the entire semester
Scene Shop: Working in the scene shop under the supervision of Technical Director David Bean and Assistant Technical Director Jen Leno. Students will assist with the departmental production, learn how to operate shop tools safely and effectively, and perform tasks intended to support the department and enhance learning of stagecraft technique. Time commitment: 1 3-hour shift per week x 15 weeks = approx. 45 hours.
Costume Shop: Working in the costume shop under the supervision of Costume faculty Professor Deepsikha Chatterjee. Students will learn about costuming, sewing, and all aspects of wardrobe for the theatre, both in support of the departmental production and to enhance learning of professional costuming. Time commitment: 1 3-hour shift per week x 15 weeks = approx. 45 hours.
Office Administration (Administration, Web Design, and Marketing): Working under the supervision of the departmental office staff, students will learn about the administrative side of producing theatre. Administration will focus on office tasks like scheduling and budgets, Web Design will focus on graphic design and website building through Wix, and Marketing will focus on online activities like our newsletter and social media platforms. Time commitment: 1 3-hour shift per week x 15 weeks = approx. 45 hours. Please note only one spot is available for each of these apprenticeships.
Concentrated shifts during tech/production and performance weeks
Electrics: Working in the Loewe theatre under the supervision of Assistant Technical Director Jen Leno in support of the departmental production, students will learn how to hang and focus lights, run cable, and other lighting and sound related technologies. Time commitment: hang/focus calls, tech week, dress rehearsals = approx. 45 hours
Running Crew: Working under the supervision of CoLab Stage Management mentor Alyssa Rios, students will work backstage in support of the departmental production. Time commitment: tech week, dress rehearsals, all performances = approx. 45 hours
Wardrobe: Working under the supervision of Costume Professor Deepsikha Chatterjee, students will work backstage on all costume related elements, including dressing, quick changes, mending, laundering and maintaining the dressing rooms in support of the departmental production. Time commitment: tech week, dress rehearsals, all performances = approx. 45 hours
Board Operation (Light and Sound): Students will learn how to program and operate either the light or sound control console for the departmental production under the supervision of Assistand Technical Director Jen Leno. Time commitment: tech week, dress rehearsals, all performances = approx. 45 hours
Ushering: Under the supervision of the professional House Manager, students will learn how to handle pre- and post-show aspects of audience interaction, including guest lists, tickets, seating, and providing guidance for patrons. Time commitment: Invited Dress and performance evenings = 22 hours (this semester, this role is only worth half of an Apprenticeship credit)