RBC Apprentice Program

Jonathan Corkal & Reza Jacobs. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
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RBC Apprentice Program

The Apprentice Program offers seven post-secondary artists one year of mentorship with The Musical Stage Company, learning from our local and visiting artists and receiving observational and practical showcase opportunities to help build the foundation for their careers. Please note: There is no under-30 age limit.

Applications are open until June 19, 2023.

Who is the apprenticeship for?

The RBC Apprentice Program is made up of two awardees of the Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund, and five Apprentice Artists in their chosen discipline (including performer-writers)

Performer-Writer Apprenticeships are for multi-hyphenate artists looking to expand their practice with interest in writing and performing their own work. These apprentices along with the rest of the apprentices will be featured in the apprentice capstone performance The RBC Creators Project.

The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund supports the investment in and training of two Canadian women in arts leadership roles which currently lack representation (including direction, music direction, production management, sound design, and writing).

Apprentice Artists are selected from across all areas of production (including but not limited to directors, music directors, choreographers, orchestrators, arrangers, copyists, stage managers, writers, all design disciplines, craftspeople, and artisans)

Apprenticeship opportunities are open to both Equity members and non-members who are musical theatre practitioners and under-exposed in Toronto and its surrounding areas. The artists must be within the City of Toronto and/or the Greater Toronto Area for the duration of the apprenticeship in order to experience the full benefits of the program. 

We are actively seeking submissions from artists of all backgrounds, abilities, and ethnicities as we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within this selection process.  We especially encourage folx who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S+, d/Deaf, Mad, Disabled/People with Disabilities, and/or Neurodiverse to submit.

 

Sponsors

RBC Apprentice Program Sponsor
Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund Leading Lights
Kathleen & Dennis Freeman

RBC Apprentice Program

The Apprentice Program offers seven post-secondary artists one year of mentorship with The Musical Stage Company, learning from our local and visiting artists and receiving observational and practical showcase opportunities to help build the foundation for their careers. Please note: There is no under-30 age limit.

Applications are open until June 19, 2023.

Who is the apprenticeship for?

The RBC Apprentice Program is made up of two awardees of the Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund, and five Apprentice Artists in their chosen discipline (including performer-writers)

Performer-Writer Apprenticeships are for multi-hyphenate artists looking to expand their practice with interest in writing and performing their own work. These apprentices along with the rest of the apprentices will be featured in the apprentice capstone performance The RBC Creators Project.

The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund supports the investment in and training of two Canadian women in arts leadership roles which currently lack representation (including direction, music direction, production management, sound design, and writing).

Apprentice Artists are selected from across all areas of production (including but not limited to directors, music directors, choreographers, orchestrators, arrangers, copyists, stage managers, writers, all design disciplines, craftspeople, and artisans)

Apprenticeship opportunities are open to both Equity members and non-members who are musical theatre practitioners and under-exposed in Toronto and its surrounding areas. The artists must be within the City of Toronto and/or the Greater Toronto Area for the duration of the apprenticeship in order to experience the full benefits of the program. 

We are actively seeking submissions from artists of all backgrounds, abilities, and ethnicities as we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within this selection process.  We especially encourage folx who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S+, d/Deaf, Mad, Disabled/People with Disabilities, and/or Neurodiverse to submit.

 

RBC Apprentice Program

The Apprentice Program offers seven post-secondary artists one year of mentorship with The Musical Stage Company, learning from our local and visiting artists and receiving observational and practical showcase opportunities to help build the foundation for their careers.

Please note: There is no under-30 age limit. 

About the Apprenticeship:

Practical Apprenticeship 

Five phases of apprenticeship

  • Career Planning – a rigorous goal setting and artistic strategic planning process designed to help Apprentices gain clarity, direction, and focus for their apprenticeship and future in the performing arts.
  • Mentorship – an opportunity to connect one-on-one with up to three mentors/teachers on practical and/or theoretical subject matter.
  • Observational – Apprentices will have access to observe Musical Stage Company’s creative processes through a combination of our works in development and works in production and will choose a minimum of one and a maximum of three projects to observe.
  • Leadership – Apprentices will have the opportunity to put their learning into practice through paid placements in Musical Stage Company’s works in development and/or production, working alongside industry professionals and artists in their area of discipline.
  • Reflection – Upon completion of the first four phases, the RBC Apprentices will revisit their Artistic Plan, make adjustments (if needed) and reflect on their experiences and the impact the program has had on them artistically and professionally.

Observational Apprenticeship 

Three phases of apprenticeship: 

    • Career Planning – a rigorous goal setting and artistic strategic planning process designed to help Apprentices gain clarity, direction, and focus for their apprenticeship and future in the performing arts.
    • Observational – Apprentices will have access to observe one of Musical Stage Company’s creative processes through a combination of our works in development and works in production 
    • Reflection – Upon completion of the first two phases, the RBC Apprentices will revisit their Artistic Plan, make adjustments (if needed) and reflect on their experiences and the impact the program has had on them artistically and professionally.

Award:
The chosen Apprentices will receive $1,500 (Observational Apprenticeship) or $5,000 (Practical Apprenticeship).

The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund

The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund supports the investment in and training of two Canadian women in arts leadership roles which currently lack representation (including direction, music direction, production management, sound design, and writing).

The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund is made possible through the generous support of Leading Lights Kathleen & Dennis Freeman.

2023-2024 IMPORTANT DATES

May 30th, 2023; Submissions open 

June 19, 2023; Deadline to submit 

July 7, 2023; Interviews for Artist Apprentices & Callbacks for Performance-Apprentices

August 8, 2023; Apprenticeship Start Date/Career Planning Phase

September 15 – October 25; Mentorship Phase

October 30 – December 13, 2023; Observation Phase option1 (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812)

November 6 – November 14, 2023; Observation Phase option 2 (Uncovered)

May 30 – June 24, 2024; Observations Phase option 3 (The New Works Festival)

  • Practical Apprentices choose a minimum of one and a maximum of three projects to observe.
  • Observational Apprentices choose one project to observe

February 26 – March 4, 2024; Leadership Phase/Creator’s Project

  • The Practical Apprenticeship capstone project, The Creators Project, is scheduled for Monday, March 4, 2024. Those who apply must be available for up to 20 hours of rehearsals (to be scheduled with the apprentices) and the March 4th performance date

March 18, 2024; Practical Apprenticeship Reflection Phase

November 21, December 13, or June 30; Observational Apprenticeship Reflection Phase

  • One of the above dates depending on which project the apprentice observes

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please submit through this form: https://forms.gle/9xhB4Q4Zu4LmZ35T6  You will be asked to submit ONE pdf file which contains:

  1. Updated biography (250 words max)
  2. Updated resume 
  3. Cover letter (one page max) which outlines your
    1.  chosen discipline, 
    2. views on the role of musical theatre in the performance arts landscape, 
    3. how you would use this apprenticeship to close gaps in knowledge and support your career aspirations, 
    4. what makes you unique as an aspiring music theatre practitioner, and 
    5. why you are best suited for apprenticeship at this time. 
  4. High resolution headshot
  5. If you are submitting as a performer-writer please include a links and passwords of your video audition as a part of your submission.

** PLEASE NOTE: We hope to learn about you and your unique artistry from your letter. Specifics about you and your art/practice are more helpful to us than generalized statements about a love of theatre. 

You will also have the option to include one item of support material related to your area of discipline. This can be a website, pdf of images (max 3 pages), or video/audio reel or audition material for performers (max 2 mins will be reviewed). NOTE: any video/audio material must be shared as a link with passwords (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud, etc). We unfortunately cannot accept any media attachments or file downloads. 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview and/or callback for Apprentice Artists on July 7th with the selection committee.

**Please indicate in your cover letter if you wish to be considered for the Kathleen C Freeman Leadership Fund, a Practical Apprenticeship, and/or an Observational Apprenticeship**

Please ensure that your submission package is received through the application form no later than June 19, 2023. If you are unable to submit using the Google form or require an accommodation to make your submission, please email submissions@musicalstagecompany.com for assistance.

Current Apprentices

2023-24 RBC Apprentices

郝邦宇 Steven Hao (he/him)
(RBC Apprentice Director)

Enya Watson (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice Performer-Writer)

Shaemus Swets (he/him)
(RBC Apprentice Performer-Writer)

Rachel O’Brien (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice Music Director)

Skye Rogers (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice Choreographer)

Bryn Kennedy (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice Director & Kathleen C. Freeman Development Fund Recipient)

Sarah O’Brecht (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice Artistic Director & Kathleen C. Freeman Development Fund Recipient)

 

Past Apprentices

2022-23 RBC Apprentices

Saccha Dennis (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice)

Kaylee Harwood (she/her)
(The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund Recipient)

Benjamin Kersey (he/him)
(RBC Apprentice)

Sarah O’Brecht (she/her)
(The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund Recipient)

Tyler Pearse (he/him)
(RBC Apprentice)

Taylor Garwood (she/they)
(RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Winner)

Vinnie Alberto (he/him)
(RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Winner)

2021-22 RBC Apprentices

Avery Jean Brennan (they/them)
(RBC Apprentice Artistic Director)

Alexandra Kane (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice Music Director)

Haneul Yi (he/him)
(RBC Apprentice Music Director)

Kareem Vaude (they/them)
(RBC Apprentice Performer/Writer)

Kaylee Harwood (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice Director, as a part of the Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund)

Maddie Bautista (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice Director, as a part of the Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund)

Matthew Joseph (he/they)
(RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Recipient)

Rosie Callaghan (she/her)
(RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Recipient)

2020-21 RBC Apprentices

Alicia Barban (RBC Apprentice Producer)
Dillan Chiblow (RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Recipient)
Landon Doak (RBC Apprentice Writer/Performer)
Germaine Konji (RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Recipient)
Joey Lau (RBC Apprentice Stage Manager)
Fiona Sauder (RBC Apprentice Director, as a part of the Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund)
Vanessa Sears (RBC Apprentice Director, as a part of the Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund)
Olivia Shortt (RBC Apprentice Sound Designer)

2019-20 RBC Apprentices

Deanna Choi (RBC Apprentice Sound Designer)
Karli Feldman (RBC Apprentice Stage Manager)
Eva Foote (RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Recipient)
Juliette Jones (The RBC Music Apprentice, as a part of The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund)
Tsholo Khalema (RBC Apprentice Director)
Esie Mensah (RBC Apprentice Choreographer)
Kale Penny (RBC Apprentice Performer & Banks Prize Recipient)
Ali Joy Richardson (The RBC Apprentice Director, as a part of The Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Development Fund)

2018-19 RBC Apprentices

Brandon Antonio (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Michelle Bouey (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Jen Cooper (Production & Stage Management)
Jonathan Corkal (Music Supervision & Arranging)
Alessandro Costantini (Dramaturgy)
Sabryn Rock (Direction)

2017-18 RBC Apprentices

Fatuma Adar (Songwriting)
Alessandro Costantini (Direction)
George Krissa (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Jeff Lupker (Music Direction & Arrangement)
Lucy McPhee (Stage Management)
Celine Tsai (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)

2016-17 RBC Apprentices

Jahlen Barnes (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Deanna Choi (Composition)
Arinea Hermans (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Rob Kempson (Direction)
Michaela Steven (Stage Management)
Aijia Waithe (Performance)

2015-16 RBC Apprentices

Colin Simmons (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Brittany Banks (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)

2014-15 RBC Apprentices

Alessia Lupiano (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Graham Scott Flemming (Performance/Banks Prize Winner)
Eden Richmond (Performance)
Sarite Harris (Performance)

About RBC

In 2013, the RBC Foundation committed $6.7 million to arts and cultural organizations, supporting local, national and international initiatives. The RBC Emerging Artists Project helps artists bridge the gap from emerging to established, and supports organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance their career trajectory. RBC support arts organizations and artists in a range of genres including visual art, music, theatre, performance, literature and film.

RBC Apprenticeship opportunities are open to both Equity members and non-members who are emerging musical theatre practitioners, and who are under-exposed in Toronto and its surrounding areas.