The Classical Theatre Apprentice Program
About the Apprenticeship
The Classical Theatre Apprentice Program at TSC is focused on experiential, classical stage performance/stage management training, and work designed to support emerging theatre professionals as they launch and sustain their early and middle careers.
This apprenticeship focuses on immersive career development opportunities. Apprentices are guaranteed to act, teach, or stage manage in multiple areas in a variety of shows, including mainstage/touring/schools’ productions during TSC’s 19th season.
TSC’s season will be announced later this Spring, but it will include touring Education productions of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. The mainstage season will include a comedy by William Shakespeare, a classical chamber musical, and classical American novel adapted for the stage.
Contract Dates/Hours
Apprentices will be on hiatus from work from December 21, 2026, through and including January 3, 2027. Apprentice work-weeks will consist of approximately 40 hours per work-week, on average, and will include at least one day off per week.
This half-year Program will begin August 31, 2026, and will run through March 21, 2027.
Compensation
Apprentices will be hired as full-time employees of TSC and will earn a salary of $300.00 per week. Apprentices will be responsible for all costs associated with living in the Memphis area for the duration of the apprenticeship. These costs include, but are not limited to, round-trip transportation from primary residence to Memphis; in-town Memphis transportation when not in a TSC vehicle; meals; housing. If Apprentices use their own vehicle for TSC-related work, they will be reimbursed.
Application/Announcement Deadlines
Applicants’ initial submissions to TSC must be received no later than: March 29, 2026.
TSC informs applicants of callbacks no later than: April 1, 2026.
If invited to submit video audition/interview, applicants submit auditions/interviews (in-person or virtually, on case-by-case basis) by: April 15, 2026.
TSC makes candidates’ offers: April 28, 2026.
Program training for performers, supervised by Producing Artistic Director Dan McCleary, will focus on developing the classical actor in areas of voice, body, actor/audience relationship, Shakespeare verse, clowning, dance/fight, auditioning, and the business of remaining employed as a theatre actor. Training will include regular warm-ups, master classes, mock auditions, and ongoing specialty training classes with TSC teaching and artistic staff.
What to Submit:
Initial submission via email for Actors: Resume/Headshot/Letter of Interest/two to three references. Send submission to Dan McCleary at danmccleary@tnshakespeare.org. Candidates may then be invited to a virtual video audition.
What is TSC’s “Letter of Interest”?
All Letters of Interest should address an applicant’s passion for classical theatre, awareness of TSC’s work and its mission, how previous training has prepared them for an immersive professional theatre experience, and their relationship to commitment, compassion, discipline, generosity of spirit, and courage in the theatre.
Program training for stage managers and technicians will be supervised by TSC Production Manager Jeremy Fisher, with additional management provided by TSC’s production stage manager.
What to Submit:
Initial submission for Stage Managers/Production personnel: Resume/Letter of Interest. Send submission to Dan McCleary at danmccleary@tnshakespeare.org. Candidates may then be invited to a virtual interview.
What is TSC’s “Letter of Interest”?
All Letters of Interest should address an applicant’s passion for classical theatre, awareness of TSC’s work and its mission, how previous training has prepared them for an immersive professional theatre experience, and their relationship to commitment, compassion, discipline, generosity of spirit, and courage in the theatre.
Since its founding in 2008, TSC’s casting and hiring policies remain committed to diversity and inclusiveness in an effort to reflect Memphis’ community. TSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.