Youth Apprenticeship Program
Calling all youth (ages 14-22) with a passion for theatre and the performing arts! We have an extra spot available for performers in our Youth Apprenticeship Program.
Join us for an unforgettable summer in the world of professional theatre. As part of a tight-knit cohort of apprentices, you’ll attend theatre workshops, be mentored by talented artists, gain experience on a professional production, make new friends, create and perform your own production, and enjoy a summer outdoors.
Be part of a professional production: You will team up with Odyssey’s Artistic Director Laurie Steven and our company of eight professional actors and production staff as they develop and perform an all-new play. You’ll learn about performance, stage management, writing, production, and everything that goes in to making a theatre production tick!
Take theatre workshops: Under the leadership of award-winning theatre artist Chandel Gambles, you will take professional theatre workshops in performance, improvisation, writing, and more. You will also receive two production workshops from theatre artist and educator Jon Lockhart.
APPRENTICE BENEFITS
The program is FREE and everyone who completes the program will earn a $400 honorarium.
As a Youth Apprentice, you will:
- Receive professional training & coaching
- Learn theatre skills in workshops (improvisation, masks, movement, etc.)
- Unlock your creativity
- Develop your acting and production skills
- Create a lasting network of professional artists
- Learn about studies and a career in theatre from working artists
- Build your self-confidence and team work
- Earn your community volunteer hours and a letter of reference
- Receive an honorarium ($400) upon completion of the program!
APPLY NOW!
Fill out our application form online. We will contact eligible applicants for an interview on an ongoing basis.
SCHEDULE
Key dates for the 2025 Youth Apprenticeship program:
July 2-5: Script reading and movement rehearsals
July 7: Orientation
July 8-16: Park set up and postering
July 17-31: Performance Rehearsals (full-time Monday-Saturday)
July 31- August 25: Performances (evenings Tuesday-Sunday, Sunday matinee)
August 1, 6-8, and 13-15: Theatre workshops with Chandel Gambles
August 15: Apprentice show performance
August 25: Park strike
August 26: Ending celebration
Most dates are during the day. Evenings are required for performances.
LOCATION:
Workshops, rehearsals and performances will generally take place outdoors in Strathcona Park. In the case of inclement weather, workshops and performances will be moved indoors to LabO at the University of Ottawa or Arts Court.
What Past Apprentices Have Said:
“An incredible opportunity…to experience what it is like in a professional theatre. What I learned in this program, I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
“Odyssey Theatre’s Youth Program was such an amazing experience and has been a huge milestone in my career as an artist…You’ll spend the summer learning, working hard and having so much fun!”
“Learning mask work, Commedia characters, stage combat and clown really boosted our confidence. Performing in front of the company at the end of the workshop was a great experience.”
“The workshop was informative, exciting and fun, with tons of advice, hands-on activities and chances to ask questions.”
“This experience has shown me an insider’s look at an actor’s life, a stage manager’s life and a theatre technician’s life, through all of which I have gained skills that will help me pursue a career in acting.”
“My favourite part of the apprenticeship has been the connections I have made, and I love coming here every day.”
“Everyone at Odyssey treated the apprentices with such respect and gratitude. I always knew I was welcome and I never felt as if my work was underappreciated.”
Questions? Email us at office@odysseytheatre.ca.
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