#otcapprentices

Position: Sound Apprentice

Hometown: New Hope, PA

Education:

“I realized I wanted to pursue theatre as a career when I went to see HOW TO SUCCEED on Broadway, and there was a standing ovation in the middle of the show, and I thought ‘I want to be a part of that joy.’ I started off in stage management in high school/beginning of college--” (Jane attended Barnard College of Columbia University).

She laughed, “I took the sound design course thinking, ‘I’ll never use this.’ Then, the next year, my friend asked me to co-design a show, and I fell in love with it and never looked back. I ended up doing my thesis in sound.”

What attracted you to the Olney Theatre Apprentice Training Program?

“I knew that coming out of college, I needed more technical experience before I could get a job as a technician. I had gone to a BA program that focused on criticism. I needed more technical skills, and so  this was perfect opportunity for me,” Jane explained.

“When I was doing my job search, I had this spreadsheet that I lovingly called ‘the beast.’ A lot of the programs that were recommended to me didn’t have a sound position, so when I was applying for stuff, I was applying to general production. I actually found out that the sound apprenticeship [at OTC] is actually one of the newest apprenticeships. It’s really exciting.”

What are you working on right now?

When I spoke to Jane back in early January she shared, “In terms of work stuff, we’re getting ready for AUBERGINE. It’s the first show that I’ll be mixing for. That was one of my goals in coming here, so that’s really exciting.”  

As I share this with you now, Jane’s actually in the middle of mixing for the run of AUBERGINE in our the Mainstage Theatre. 

What is something that you’ve learned through your experience here?

“I’ve learned that I know more than I think I do... I’ve learned to have more confidence in my work. I’ve gained the confidence to troubleshoot for myself without running to outside help, and I think that’s a great a step toward becoming my more professional self.”

How does OTC differ from other theatres?

“The high emphasis on education makes a difference. Jason [Loewith], at the beginning of each first rehearsal, emphasizes this is a teaching theatre. Each apprentice has an advisor, and part of their responsibilities is to form them into a more of a professional. They want to help you succeed (period).”

Describe your favorite place on campus.

Jane looked around and said, “This blue chair I am sitting in. I can see the TV. I can sit up. I can lie down...Just the porch in general. Especially at night when the office is all gone, it feels like home.”

Do you have any advice for the next sound apprentice?

“You know more than you think you do. It’s a two person department, so you get so much experience. Don’t be afraid to give your opinion or offer suggestions. You do get a say in things.

Olney’s proximity to both DC and Baltimore gives apprentices the chance to explore other area theaters and meet their apprentice classes! This week we visited Baltimore Center Stage where half of the OTC apprentices watched WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT and the other half watched LOOKINGGLASS ALICE. The Center Stage interns and fellows even took us on an in depth tour of their facilities!

Timothy graduated in 2016 from Towson University with a degree in Theatre Studies and double minors in English and Vocal Performance. He took a year off after graduation to work and apply for fellowships, eventually he landing here at Olney in August!

I sat down with Timothy after Annie opened to talk all things OTC and Dramaturgy.

Position: Dramaturgy Apprentice

Hometown: Frederick, MD

Education/Training: Towson University

What attracted you to the Olney Theatre Apprentice Training Program?

“I have known about the Apprentice Training Program for a while now. I had a friend in high school who completed the Dramaturgy Apprenticeship four years ago and raved about her experience,” says Timothy. “But it took a Writing for Business class assignment to encourage me to apply. We were asked to write a cover letter for our dream job, and I chose the Dramaturgy Apprenticeship at Olney.

“I love the mix of straight plays and musicals. There are very few theaters who do such interesting plays and big musicals; most of the time you will find a focus exclusively on ‘new work’ or ‘musical theatre’ or something like that, but Olney does a little bit of everything. So my experience here will be, and already has been, incredibly diverse.”

What are you working on right now? 

“Right now, I’m working on the actor packets for Every Brilliant Thing and Aubergine, our first two spring productions, as well as getting the program copy for Aubergine together. It’s a challenge because, as a white man, I don’t want to write about the ‘Korean-American’ experience, as if I’m an expert. So it’s a balancing act of finding anecdotal evidence and studies to make sure I’m accurately representing a culture unlike my own.”

What about what you’re most looking forward to?

“Emotionally, I’m most looking forward to Every Brilliant Thing. The topic is so intensely personal to me, but relatable so I think everyone can get something out of it. I’m not embarrassed to say that I openly wept when I read the script. Not like a single tear, like full out sobbing. I had to put the script down. It’s going to be a joy helping to bring that story to an audience and watch them experience it for the first time. It’ll also be the most challenging show this year for me, which is exciting in a way.”

What’s something that you’ve learned from this apprenticeship? 

“God, I’ve learned so much. I mean, you’re looking at a job that requires enormous multitasking and a really tough balancing act. I’ve learned how to budget my time better and to ensure there’s some work-life balance. It’s actually something Megh (Artistic & Casting Apprentice) taught me early on; she kept insisting I take time for myself.

“In terms of like physical book knowledge, I’ve learned so much about all these authors, really notable people, who have such rich lives and histories that influence their stories. Like examining Our Town’s Stage Manager again when you know how isolated Thornton Wilder felt as a queer man is just… It brings something special to the piece.”

Something that’s surprised you?

“I’m honestly surprised by how supportive everyone is. Not that I thought they wouldn’t be, but I’m surprised that we’ve developed such a family. I mean, we practically do everything together. Janice (Costume Apprentice) and I were walking back to our rooms one night and got scared by someone in the wings of the Historic; that experience built into us writing a full length play. I spend more time on the couches on the Porch, watching TV and talking about everything than I ever dreamed.”

What makes the OTC community so special?

“I kind of touched on it already, but the OTC apprentices are such a family. We know each other’s moms by name. We can immediately tell when someone is off for whatever reason. When things are tough for someone, the others go out and buy ice cream or wine or whatever they need. They did a survey last year of some Olney staff and performers and the one thing that stood out to me was how everyone said it’s a family. Being so far away from D.C. - we’re part of the D.C. theatre community, but we really are our own island - there’s this need to be inclusive and to be a team and I think we really meet that goal.”

Describe your favorite place on campus.

“It’s cheesy, but my favorite place is the doorway of my room. My room itself is a mess - I’m such a slob - but the doorway looks out into the booth of the Historic Theatre and then out onto the stage. I can stand in my doorways and watch shows. I watched Othello from my room. The Little Mermaid and The Nutcracker too. When I was a kid, I used to dream of living over the Majestic Theatre in New York, where Phantom plays. It was my entire life goal to live over a theatre. When I moved in here, I kind of laughed, because I finally was.”

Do you have any advice for the next Dramaturgy Apprentice?

“Ask questions. This is a tough job and we’re kind of floating on our own, in a way, without having a full time dramaturg or literary manager. But you’ve got a great support system in JKJ (Jason King Jones) and JLo (Jason Loewith), as well as everyone else, so never hesitate to ask for what you need, ask for clarification, ask why you’re doing what you’re doing. I spent my first two months redoing everything I did because I was… afraid? I guess afraid. I was afraid to ask for help; I thought I had to do it all on my own.

Back in August, Emily joined the OTC team as the Marketing and Development Apprentice. She drove to Olney, MD all the way from her hometown in Bellvue, Nebraska, and once she arrived, she didn’t hop into her office chair. Instead, she climbed up into the catwalks to work one of the spotlights for In the Heights. With the closing of In the Heights, I was able to sit down with Emily and talk about her experience here.

So who is she? How did she become a part of OTC? And what does a marketing and development apprentice do? Here’s the skinny from my interview with Emily:

Position: Marketing and Development Apprentice

Hometown: Bellevue, NE

Education

Doane University ’17 – While there, Emily was a part of more than 11 clubs and organizations including student congress (she was the VP!). She was also the Student Representative for the Doane Board of Trustees Development Committee, which helped spark her interest in development.

Why the Olney Theatre Center Apprentice Training Program?

“I visited [campus] with the Arts Leadership Fellowship at KCACTF Nationals,” she began. “That was when I met Debbie [OTC’s Managing Director], saw The Magic Play, was wowed, and I met and dined with my predecessor.”

While meeting with Debbie, Emily learned about what running a suburban theatre was like, which caught her attention. She also found out that the Marketing and Development Apprenticeship was still open, and decided to send her resume right away.

Previously, Emily had spent a summer interning with the Washington Improv Theatre, where she had the opportunity to explore DC’s theatre scene. She loved it here, so the OTC apprenticeship was the perfect chance for her to join this community again.

What are you most looking forward to working on?

When I asked Emily about this, among many things, she talked about grant writing. “I can’t wait until I can say that raised my first $10k,” she shared.

She also spoke about the heartfelt connection with patrons that comes with end-of-year giving, her excitement about sitting on the Gala Planning Committee for the 80th Season, the upcoming capital campaign, and the event planning aspects of her job.

“So, why devo?” I asked.

Emily explained, “We celebrate the theatre’s hard work as people come together for events...employees, patrons, artists AND donors.”

What’s something that’s surprised you about OTC?

“I’ve been surprised by the humbleness of such talented people from actors, like Robin de Jesus, to the artistic director [Jason Joewith]. You can sit down with them for a meal. It’s kind of cheesy but whatever, it really is like a big family.”

After a moment, Emily added, “the $96,000 surprise,” thinking of the fundraising goal In the Heights had set (and reached!!!) for hurricane relief funds. “I thought it was such a high goal at the beginning, but then, I was so surprised by the generosity of our community. They already paid to come see the show, and then to donate on top of that...”

What makes the OTC community so special?

“It’s a remote but connected campus. You’re an apprentice, but you live across from a Tony nominee.” She added, “When you’re off work, you don’t want to leave right away. You wanna sit down, relax, and connect with everyone living on campus.”

The Courtyard Garden - Emily’s favorite spot on the OTC campus.

What advice do you have for the next Marketing and Development Apprentice?

Position: Props Apprentice

Hometown: Tijuana, Mexico

Education: “I studied Pre-Med and Marine Biology at the University of California San Diego. I worked in a lab and did research in algae for about four years. When I was doing lab work, I found theatre [through] taking a beginner set design class, and then [my professor] saw that I had such a passion for set design, and he asked me if I wanted to continue the journey. I said, ‘Absolutely!’ I always had a passion for [art] since I was small. I didn’t know that this could be a career.

After that discovery, Grisele shared that she “worked for La Jolla Playhouse for a year and a half interning and doing overhire work with Deborah Hatch. She encouraged me to do an apprenticeship in props.”

...Thanks, Deborah!

What attracted you to the Olney Theatre Apprentice Training Program?

“...Mostly the commitment they have for apprentices to learn as much as they can, the passion for the theatre, the interest they had in me for how much I wanted to learn.”

What are you working on right now? What are you looking forward to?

“Right now, we are researching images to start building ON THE TOWN. I’m looking at subway straps research—I have to know how they are going to be used too so I know how to build them. I’m looking forward to building the mannequin and doing any sort of crafts and set dressing for the show. I’m also looking forward to keep learning, assisting the scenic designer for National Players, and help bring together the next shows: the Hypocrites and ON THE TOWN. I’ve been talking to Charlie (the scenic designer for National Players) about his point of view for set design which is really interesting!”

What’s something that’s surprised you?

“I was able to meet wonderful designers, like Milagros (who designed our set for IN THE HEIGHTS), who told me to apply for [grad school] for set design. I was second guessing myself, but I just did it. I never thought I could apply until I met her, and she said just ‘do it.’ 

“I always said, ‘I’m okay at this or I’m okay at that,’ but she gave me the confidence to just do it. This lesson helped me learn that you never know. Getting into school was a big surprise, and I’m really happy.”  

Grisele will be attending Penn State University to study Scenic Design this fall, so look out for her work there soon! Congrats, Grisele!

What separates Olney from other theatres?

“Whenever I need help, there’s always someone I can reach – a support system, especially being so far away from home. Being away from home can be very hard, and if I didn’t have the support system, it would be twice as hard to pursue my dreams, and I feel like that’s what Olney has [given me].”

Do you have a favorite place on campus?

“I think everything at Olney. Whether it’s working in the Main or being backstage or in the shop, every space has its memory or precious moment. [If I had to choose], I would say the shop because that’s where I work and have grown. I meet wonderful people there. I was very scared when I first came here—it was a fresh start. Then I went to the shop, and since that’s where I’m working, it’s everything.  Also, the porch. Everyone is there. I don’t know, I would still say everything. Everything! It’s hard because every place has its moment.”

Do you have any advice for the next Props Apprentice?

“I get down on myself when I can’t do something, but I’m learning. If something is complicated or you don’t know how, you have your mentor there to guide you through. Every day is different and you are still learning. Everything is going to be good. Be positive, it can be hard when things get complicated, but just keep going and follow your dreams, never stop!”

On the flipside of that, “If you need to take a break, you should. Take it one step at a time. Sometimes there will be hard days because the props department is only two people, and it’s a lot of work molding, building, sewing, buying. Everything’s going to be okay. If you need to take a break, take a break. That’s something that I’m still learning too.”