SHOTGUN PLAYERS MAD FELLOWSHIPS
Starting a career in theater? Want to get paid while also receiving a hand-on learning experience with professional designers? Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity for early-career and emerging theater artists. Production fellowships in Theatrical Design (lighting, sound, costumes, scenic, props) are available for our 2025 season!The priority deadline is Sunday, January 5, 2025, however, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
APPLY FOR A MAD FELLOWSHIP
Shotgun Players is a company of artists determined to create bold, relevant, affordable theatre that inspires and challenges audiences and artists alike to re-examine our lives, our community, and the ever-changing world around us. We are committed to a welcoming and inclusive work culture and audience experience where everyone who walks through our doors feels a deep sense of belonging. We center our values in all that we do and hold ourselves accountable with rigorous, comprehensive, and regular reviews of policies, procedures, and staff. Getting it “right” is not a box we can check. It’s a daily practice and we are all here for that journey!
STAGE MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIPS
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 or Production Assistant 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
- 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
Approximately 280 hours, primarily evening and weekend daytime commitments.
COMPENSATION
All fellowships will be paid Berkeley Minimum Wage ($18.67 /hour)
DESIGN FELLOWSHIPS
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 50 hours over 5–7 weeks, from the start of the production process until opening night. Available design disciplines: lighting, scenic, sound, costume, props.PREREQUISITIES
- 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).
- 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
- 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
- Drafting of light plot
- Sourcing rentals, trades etc
- Programming the board
- Helping with focus and hang coordination
- Attend tech/production meetings and take notes
- Research
- Drafting of set design (CAD fluency)
- Model building
- Meet with scenic designer and technical direction team to problem solve
- Attend tech/production meeting and take notes
- Research/Sourcing sound
- Programming the board
- Attend tech/production meeting and take notes
- Shopping, exploring other local prop shops
- Prop construction and fabrication
- Attend tech/production meeting and take notes
Up to 50 hours total
COMPENSATION
All fellowships will be paid Berkeley Minimum Wage ($18.67 /hour)
Shotgun Players is an equal opportunity employer. Employment opportunities at Shotgun Players are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, military status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 alejandra@shotgunplayers.org.
WHAT DESIGN FELLOWSHIPS ARE BEING OFFERED?
We are offering fellowships in lighting, costumes, props, sound, and scenic design for all of the shows in our 2025 season (except for Art, which will not have a Costume Fellowship available).
ARE MAD FELLOWS PAID?
Yes! All MAD Fellows will receive Berkeley minimum wage ($18.67/hour) for their work at Shotgun Players.
WHAT ABOUT STAGE MANAGEMENT & DIRECTING FELLOWSHIPS?
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 or a Production Assistant 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 $350 stipend, rather than Berkeley minimum wage.
DOES SHOTGUN PLAYERS COVER HOUSING AND TRAVEL EXPENSES?
Shotgun Players cannot cover housing or transportation. So 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!
WHAT MAKES A GOOD APPLICANT?
The ideal applicant is a college student, recent graduate, or someone interested in a career in theatre and can commit to the full-time requirements of the fellowship, has experience in designing at least one production (either academic or non-academic), and (preferably) familiar with standard software for your field (i.e. Vectorworks, Lightwright, QLab, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Suite).
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
Fellowship time commitments vary and often require evening and weekend work. Design fellowships have more flexibility, but please consider your schedule and ensure this program is a good fit for you.
CAN YOU APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE?
You are welcome to apply for multiple fellowships, but you will be selected for only one.
2024 MAD Fellows
MAYO ARBUES
Costume Design MAD Fellow - Choir Boy
Mayo Arbues is a first-year student at Diablo Valley College pursuing a B.A. in Theater Arts and a Certificate in Early Childhood Education. With a specialty in costuming, puppet design, and children’s theatre they’ve previously worked on and offstage on productions for Youth Musical Theater Company (YMTC), Bindlestiff Studio, and San Leandro Players. You can keep up with their upcoming projects on Instagram @mayo.arbues
AMY BENJAMIN
Scenic Design MAD Fellow - Best Available
Amy arrived at Shotgun Players with a background in interior design, fabrication and multidisciplinary art. She holds design degrees from San Jose State University and City College of San Francisco, and was recently given the opportunity to explore the world of scenic design with Oakland's Fusion Theater Project. She is deeply honored to have the chance to branch out professionally through Shotgun Player's MAD Fellowship, and hopes to further enrich her artistic curiosity and technical skills as a result of this incredibly generous program.
TESSA CORRIE
Tessa Corrie - MAD Directing Observer - Collective Rage
Tessa Corrie (she/her) is a Queer, Latinx, and Neurodivergent Theater Director homegrown from the Bay Area. She specializes in new play development that mainstreams and amplifies underrepresented narratives. She is a company member and casting associate at PlayGround SF. Her credits include work at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Palo Alto Players, The Pear Theatre, Cutting Ball Theatre, The Playwrights' Center of San Francisco, Left Coast Theatre Company, More Más Marami Arts, and Poltergeist Theatre Project.
ABIGAIL CREGOR
Costume Design MAD Fellow - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Abigail Cregor is a MAD costume design fellow, part of Shotgun Players’ Make A Difference Program. Passionate about costuming and sustainability, Abigail brings both fashion and green-living in harmony. Did you know there are enough clothes on the planet to dress everyone for the next 100 years? In high school, she led her costume crew. She studies at UC Berkeley, and is ready to learn and grow as a young professional.
ISADORA DUSKIN-FEINBERG
Costume Design MAD Fellow - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Isadora Duskin-Feinberg is a junior attending UC Berkeley as a Theater Major, where she teaches a makeup themed course. Isadora has worked in costume design in association with UC Berkeley, Brandeis University, the Merage JCC of Orange County, and Laguna Beach High School. Isadora danced as a professional Ballerina with the San Francisco Ballet and City Ballet. She wants to thank her family for their unwavering support.
MIKEILA MONTEMAYOR
MAD Lighting Fellow - Best Available
Mikeila Montemayor is happy to continue her lighting design journey at Shotgun Players as the Lighting Design fellow operating under Spenser Matubang. Working with them has given Mikeila new insights into the world of theatre design.
RAY RAY YOUNG
MAD Lighting Design Fellow - Collective Rage
Ray Ray is an ensemble member of the San Francisco Neo-Futurists where they write, perform, and direct short plays for the ongoing, ever-changing production of The Infinite Wrench. They also perform stand-up and enjoy going to musical improv comedy jams. In addition to this amazing opportunity to work with Shotgun Players, they are blessed to be a part of Lit From The Black!, a design and technical production fellowship for Black women and nonbinary folks.
