mad fellowships
2027 MAD FELLOW Applications ARE LIVE !!!
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applications submitted first are viewed with priority.
Announcing a new fellowship below!
SUPPORTING EMERGING THEATER ARTISTS
Starting a career in theater? Want to get paid while also receiving a hands-on learning experience with professional designers? Shotgun Players offers MAD fellowships for early-career and emerging theater artists in theatrical design (lighting, sound, costumes, scenic, props), stage management, and more!
2026 MAD Fellows
EJ Agata
THE DEATH OF MEYERHOLD – MAD Lighting Fellow
EJ Agata (she/they/he), 22, is a queer Chicanx theatre maker from Los Angeles. She is also a recent graduate of UC Davis, having double majored in English and Theatre & Dance. Their love for theatre began in 2017 when he saw An American in Paris at the Pantages and it has grown and evolved since. When they aren’t working in theatrical design, EJ is a teaching artist in Davis, educating the theatre makers of the future, or they’re watching movies and lounging at home with their roommates. EJ’s recent works include: EUREKA DAY (Capital Stage), THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (SPARC), “SING WITH PRIDE:” CONSIDERING MATTHEW SHEPARD (Mondavi Center), GROUNDHOG DAY (Studio 301 at UC Davis), and SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS (UC Davis).
EJ Agata
Lighting Design
she/they/he
Atusa Assadi
IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT – MAD Directing Observer
Atusa Assadi is an Iranian American writer and stage manager from the Bay Area who collaborates most often with Golden Thread Productions and the San Francisco Mime Troupe. While not running around the Bay working on various theater productions, Atusa is a cinema and screenwriting student at San Francisco State University with plans to pursue filmmaking alongside theater. She loves storytelling and is excited to get the opportunity to dip her toes into the creative side of production through the MAD Fellowship program!
Atusa Assadi
Directing Observer
she/any
Alexandrite camerino
IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT – MAD Scenic/Props Fellow
Alexandrite Camerino (he/they) lives his life on, off, and around stages. By day, he works as a scenic painter and carpenter for live theatre (recent credits include Marin Theatre and SF Shakes). By night, he performs original folk, punk, and country under the stage name “Manic Sobriety” and is a keeper of the Oakland Secret, a DIY venue dedicated to supporting artists, musicians, performers, culture bearers, and organizers in the Bay Area. Most recently, they directed “No Exit” by Jean-Paul Sartre- a contemporary adaptation set in a BART car- which received 5 nominations including “Best Director” and “Best Set Design” in an Adult Comedy/Drama at the 2025 Arty Awards. His passions include two-stepping in the pit, hiking in the rain, and randomly reciting Shakespeare monologues. @alex_camerino
Alexandrite Camerino
Scenic/Props Design
he/they
MiLisa “Mercy” Coleman
IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT – MAD Lighting Fellow
MiLisa “Mercy” Coleman is a Black American queer writer, artist, and aspiring light designer from Cleveland, OH based in Oakland, CA. With a background in television, film and photography, they have worked on live broadcasts, music videos, and short films in the roles of production assistant, script supervisor, editor, assistant director and photographer. Coleman has exhibited their visual art in solo and group exhibitions at Gordon Square Art Space, Maelstrom Collaborative Arts, Oakland Photo Workshop, and at community spaces. They participated in Twelve Literary Arts’ Baldwin House Urban Writing Residency and in various workshops. Coleman was a recipient of The Writing Salon’s 2020 Black Writers Matter Scholarship. Their poetry appears in Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora, The Tiger Moth Review, The Shade Journal, and Root Work Journal. After participating in Afro Urban Society’s Light Design Fellowship Lit From the Black!, Coleman has continued learning through shadowing and assisting Dr. Stephanie Johnson. They have programmed light cues at different theatres in the Bay Area; namely, Shotgun Players, Altarena Playhouse, New Conservatory Theater Center, and Oakland Theatre Project. Coleman earned their B.A. in Digital Media with minors in Black Studies and Sociology from Cleveland State University.
MiLisa “Mercy” Coleman
Lighting Design
they/them
Dorsey crocker
CONTINUITY – MAD Sound Fellow
Dorsey is a queer sound maker and creative with a passion for collaboration and experimentation. After graduating Calarts with a BFA in Experimental Pop, she moved to the Bay and continued to pursue her passion of intersecting intuitive art making with technical experimentation. Sound has always been a medium for storytelling in her work on sound design for film and animation, and DIY audio installations, and while new to theater, she is excited to apply her perspective to this work. dorseycrocker.com
Dorsey Crocker
Sound Design
they/she
Siavash Ford
THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? – MAD Costume Fellow
Siavash is an Oakland-based creative with a love of all things costume. As a teaching artist, he is a strong believer in using theater and play to educate and form communities. In 2025, he received a BA in Theater at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television with an emphasis in costume design and production. Most recently, he designed for Berkeley Playhouse’s TeenStage production of Guys and Dolls. His work in costume design is deeply intertwined with his love of puppetry, interactive media, and animation. Outside of theater, Siavash loves textile craft projects, tabletop games, and people watching. siavashford.com
Siavash Ford
Costume Design
he/him
SARAH “ELI” HAMPTON
CONTINUITY – MAD Directing Observer
Sarah “Eli” Hampton is a passionate theater director, administrator, and actor living and working in the Bay Area. As of May 2026, Eli will earn their Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts and Social Justice, with a Minor in Business, from the University of San Francisco. During their studies, Eli developed a great personal interest in human-centered, ethical artistic leadership. They embrace the transformative, revolutionary power of theater for both audiences and practitioners. Eli served as the executive producer for the University of San Francisco theater troupe for two years and notably directed productions of Hair, The Skin of Our Teeth, and a devised piece titled Red Line. Off campus, Eli has performed in productions of Jesus Christ Superstar (Berkeley Playhouse), The Laramie Project (Theater Rhinoceros), and Nice Guy (Marsh Theater). As their career evolves, Eli hopes to use their interdisciplinary experiences to facilitate brave spaces where artists investigate themselves and the world around them through play.
Sarah “Eli” Hampton
Directing Observer
they/she
EMMA JIANG
IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT – MAD Sound Fellow
Emma Jiang is an audio engineer and AV technician based in Oakland, CA and is delighted to make her debut in theatrical Sound Design as a 2026 MAD Fellow with the Shotgun Players at Ashby Stage. She specializes in vocal editing and mixing and works with local and global artists on original music and vocal covers. A UC Berkeley alumnus with a B.A. in Cognitive Science, Emma is passionate about the human creative soul and crafting sensory experiences. In her spare time, she enjoys birdwatching, singing and a cappella, and making hearty soups. emmajiang
Emma Jiang
Sound Design
she/they
JASMINE LEW
THE FALL SHOW – MAD Directing Observer
Jasmine Lew (she/they/he) is a theatre maker, educator, and social worker based in the Bay Area, on unceded Ohlone Land. Jasmine runs arts-based programming for transitional aged youth experiencing housing insecurity in the SF Tenderloin, and has the daily pleasure of mentoring up and coming Bay Area artists. Beyond this work, Jasmine specializes in facilitating devised theatre and new work development. They make scrappy, heartfelt theatre that examines the relationship between intimate human moments and large systemic issues. Recently, they were a director for The Pear Theatre’s new works festival, Pear Slices 2025, and stage managed/produced “The Specimen: A Horror Play” by Schaeffer Nelson, a new work featured in PlayGround SF’s 2026 Solo Festival. Jasmine is grateful to be a part of the MAD Fellowship program, and can’t wait to work on and learn from The Fall Show!
Jasmine Lew
Directing Observer
she/they/he
ANDREW LIM
CONTINUITY – MAD Lighting Fellow
Andrew Lim is a lighting designer based in San Francisco. They practiced lighting design for film and live theatre at Grinnell College, working on student musicals, plays and short films, and now they are excited to be working on Shotgun Players’ production of Continuity!
Andrew Lim
Lighting Design
they/them
2027 MAD FELLOW Applications ARE LIVE !!!
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so applications submitted first are viewed with priority.
Announcing a new fellowship below!
MAD 2027 Design Fellowship
The design fellow will work alongside a designer mentor to gain hands-on experience in a production environment. Skills will be developed through collaborative discussions with the artistic team, research, and creative problem-solving. This fellowship is up to of 80 hours over about 7 weeks, from the start of the production process until opening night. Available design disciplines: lighting, scenic, sound, costume, props with responsibilities for each distinguished below.
Responsibilities:
– Attend design and prep meetings between director and designer, and pre-production meetings
– Research materials and sources for preliminary design
– Assist in preparing design presentations for first production meeting
– Assist with paperwork and execution of design (ex: scenic drafting, light/speaker/projector plot, costume renderings, dramaturgical research, programming, fabrication and construction, shopping/sourcing, etc.)
– Attend design run-throughs
– Participate in production meetings
– Attend load in and tech rehearsals, problem-solve, maintain quality control/integrity of design, and other issues during tech
– Execute production design notes to achieve final design goals
– Be a critical eye and report any notes to designer
Prerequisites:
– Prior experience in theatrical design and construction on at least one production (either academic or non-academic)
– Strong communication and organization skills, attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects
– Bonus: proficiency in standard software for your field (ex. Vectorworks, Lightwright, QLab, AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Suite)
– Comfortable with craftsmanship (ex. sewing and alterations, building, fabrication).
Time Commitment: Up to 80 hours total
Compensation: Berkeley Minimum Wage
Costume fellowship responsibilities
– Dramaturgical research
– Shopping and online shopping research
– Create costume renderings
– Measurements and fittings with actors
– Costume construction, fabrication, alterations, etc.
– Attend tech/production meetings and take notes
Lighting Design Responsibilities
– Drafting of light plot
– Sourcing rentals, trades etc
– Programming cues on the ETC Ion light board
– Helping with focus and hang coordination
– Attend tech/production meetings and take notes
properties fellowship responsibilities
– Shopping, exploring other local prop shops
– Prop construction and fabrication
– Attend tech/production meeting and take notes
scenic design responsibilities
– Research
– Drafting of set design (on CAD, Vectorworks, Sketchup)
– Model building
– Meet with scenic designer and technical direction team to problem solve
– Attend tech/production meeting and take notes
– Hands-on painting, carpentry, and fabrication as needed
– Sourcing items
sound design responsibilities
– Research/sourcing or creating sound cues
– Programming the design on Qlab
– Engineering speaker and microphone set up
– Attend tech/production meeting and take notes
!!! New !!! MAD 2027 Production Management Fellowship
The production management fellow will work alongside the Director of Production at Shotgun Players to gain hands-on experience in all areas of the process of production management in a professional theatrical environment. Develop your skills in team-management, creative-problem, and technical theater production through collaborative discussions with the Director of Production, Shotgun staff, and artistic teams of mainstage productions. Work commitment varies from 5-25 hours per week, for a total of 250 hours over the season (May 2027 – Dec 2027). Load-in and tech weeks for mainstage productions 3, 4, and 5 will be the busiest times, with lighter work weeks in between. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator, has broad knowledge in technical theater skills and wants to understand producing and administration through the staff perspective of a theater company. This Fellowship is a good fit for artists seeking to develop admin, production management and leadership skills.
Responsibilities:
– Assist with creation of documentation and calendars for each production
– Assist facilitation of production meetings
– Observe supervision of designers and production staff throughout productions
– Assist planning for and observe supervision of load-in and tech
– Determine and implement solutions for onstage design elements and backstage theatrical infrastructure
– Maintain quality/integrity of designs, and other issues through the run of each show
– Collaborate on decisions about season planning and calendar building
– Research designers and performers to expand database of designers and technicians
– Participate in budgeting and ledger tracking
– Arrange stock of props, costumes, and other production materials in the theater and rehearsal studio
– Attend design and prep meetings between director and designers
– Attend design run-throughs
Prerequisites:
– Prior experience stage managing, directing, producing or participating in theatrical productions (either academic or non-academic)
– Strong communication and organization skills, attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects
– Experience in stage management highly encouraged
Time Commitment: 235 hours total 5 hours/week; 25 hours/week for load-in and tech weeks for Mainstage shows 3-5 (listed in application)
Compensation: Berkeley Minimum Wage
MAD 2027 Directing Observership
The purpose of this experience is to give this person a comprehensive look at the work and responsibilities of a Director for a mid-sized professional theater.
Responsibilities:
– Attend at a minimum of 2 rehearsals per week, the design runs, and some tech rehearsals and previews. There is no maximum number of rehearsal or production attendance.
– Be prepared to offer feedback and suggestions.
Prerequisites:
– Experience directing one show
– Proficiency with Google Suite (Sheets and Docs in particular)
Time Commitment: TBD
Compensation: $500 stipend
MAD 2027 Stage Management Fellowship
The purpose of this experience is to give the fellow a comprehensive look at the work and responsibilities of a Stage Manager on a production for a mid-sized professional theater. The fellow will serve as the Assistant Stage Manager on the production.
Responsibilities:
Assist production Stage Manager with running rehearsals (ie. prepping the space for rehearsals; taking line notes; tracking and managing costumes, props, and prop table; supporting cast and creative team with production-related tasks; assisting with cleaning and close-out procedures)
Track backstage logistics
Serve as Assistant Stage Manager or Production Assistant for all performances, planning and managing the backstage components of the production
Prerequisites:
Experience stage or production managing at least one show (either academic or non-academic)
Proficiency with Google Suite (Sheets and Docs in particular)
Enthusiasm for learning how to use new tools and technologies in theater
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs
Time Commitment: Approximately 50-280 hours depending on ASM designation, primarily evening and weekend daytime commitments.
Compensation: Berkeley Minimum Wage
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a series of short essay questions in the application – you will also need:
+ Headshot
+ Resume
+ at least ONE example of previous work
+ Website/Portfolio (if you have one)
+ Two Letters of Recommendation
2027 MAD applications open on September 4, 2026.
Positions are filled on a rolling basis. The sooner you submit your application, the higher chance you have of getting a Fellowship. Your two letters of recommendation are due within 2 weeks of your application submission.
The priority deadline is November 1, 2026. Applications submitted before November 1 will be prioritized. You are welcome to apply after this but there is not a fellowship guaranteed after this point. It is recommended to apply in September or October for these reasons.
This DOES NOT mean it is first-come, first-served. We simply select candidates based on best-fit for productions as soon as we find them! We’re excited!
Those are all the important dates related to each production. CHECK THE DATES. Availability is incredibly important to us. Most Shotgun rehearsals are in the evening (weekdays) and daytime (weekends).
Dates that Fellows should be 100% available for are:
+ First Production Meeting
+ First Rehearsal
+ Designer Run
+ Technical Rehearsals
Additional attendance production meetings, 1:1 meetings, and other rehearsals are encouranged for a more hands-on experience.
All that to say, is we are flexible, but PLEASE communicate with us first if you know what you cannot attend.
10 Design Fellows.
3 Directing Observers.
1 Production Management Fellow.
Stage Management Fellows as available.
We are now also offering a Production Management Fellowship! This has a larger time commitment as it works on 3 of the mainstage shows (3rd, 4th, and 5th).
This Fellowship is a good fit for artists seeking to develop admin, production management and leadership skills. Stage managers would probably have the most transferable experience, but you NEED NOT have stage management experience to apply. All will be considered who apply for the Production Management Fellowship.
We will have fellowships available for application in lighting, costumes, props, sound, and scenic design for all our shows in the 2027 season.
Design Fellowships include: lighting design, sound design, props design, scenic design, sound design, and costume design. While the Design Fellowships are specific to their design department, they follow a similar track with 75 hours dedicated to working on their assigned production, 5 hours assigned to designated social time with other Fellows. You can read the job descriptions above for each design department.
Stage Management Fellowships are allocated more hours as they will likely serve as the Assistant Stage Manager on their assigned production. However, not every production is in need of an ASM so these fellowships are more competitive. You are also also encouraged to attend designated social time with other Fellows.
Directing Observerships are unique in that there are no hours designated. This is why there is a stipend offered instead of an hourly wage. You should attend 2 rehearsals a week. You are welcome to attend more if you would like. While this experience is less hands-on than the other Fellowships, every Directing Observer is different and some have chosen to be more involved in the process.
Production Management Fellowship – this is the newest Fellowship! You will support the Director of Production with their management of 3 of the mainstage productions at Shotgun Players. Read the job description for details on what that support will look like!
All Fellows will meet at Fellowship Orientation in mid-January. Those potential dates are listed in the application.
All Fellows will have a Mentor.
All Fellows are paid, but amounts differ. See job descriptions.
All Fellows get 2 free tickets to use for any date in the first 3 weeks of the run of any show at Shotgun Players in their Fellowship season.
All Fellows can attend the First Rehearsal, Designer Run and Technical Rehearsal of any show at Shotgun Players in their Fellowship season.
Yes, BUT you can still attend the First Rehearsal, Designer Run and Technical Rehearsal (and other rehearsals upon request) of any show at Shotgun Players for the entire year.
For example, if you are a 2026 Fellow and you’re working on THE GOAT (the first production of the 2026 season) you can still attend rehearsals for every single show in the 2026 season.
There are also now going to be Fellowship Social Events throughout the year too. When you’re a 2027 Fellow, even when your show has finished (or hasn’t even started) it lasts all year!
YES! Every single Fellow will have a mentor.
For Design Fellows, that is the lead designer on the production. (i.e. if you are a Sound Design Fellow, your mentor is the Sound Designer, if you are a Lighting Design Fellow, your mentor is the Lighting Designer).
For Stage Management Fellows, it is the Stage Manager on the production.
For Directing Observers, it is the Director on the production.
For the Production Management Fellow, it is the Director of Production at Shotgun Players.
Every single Fellow can also ask the Director of Production and MAD Coordinator for guidance.
Yes! All MAD Design Fellows will receive Berkeley minimum wage for their work at Shotgun Players.
If you are interested in a Stage Management Fellowship, you may apply for your desired production. You may be considered for an Assistant Stage Manager position depending on your experience and the needs of the production. An Assistant Stage Manager requires a larger time commitment than a typical fellowship. Please keep that in mind when applying.
If you are interested in a Directing Fellowship, Shotgun Player’s offers a Directing Observership instead. It is less of a Fellowship and more of an opportunity to observe a Director on a production by attending rehearsals a few times a week and during pivotal moments of the production process. It is less intensive than the other fellowships.
NOTE: Directing Observership is provided a $500 stipend, rather than Berkeley minimum wage.
Shotgun Players cannot cover housing or transportation. Please keep that in consideration if you are thinking about coming from out of state. We also cannot sponsor foreign applicants or assist in obtaining travel documents, but we happily welcome applicants who currently have up-to-date visas and work permits!
Fellowship time commitments vary and often require evening and weekend work. Design Fellowships and Directing Observerships have more flexibility, but please be sure to consider your schedule when deciding if this program is a good fit for you.
You are welcome to apply for multiple fellowships, but you will be selected for only one.
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! For questions about Shotgun’s MAD Fellowships or the application, please contact MAD Program Coordinator, Alejandra Maria Rivas at [email protected].