Backstage Centre Technical Apprenticeship Program
We are now accepting applications for our Fall 2024 position! Scroll down to “Fall Cohort” and click “Apply Now” to be considered.
The Backstage Centre Technical Apprenticeship Program (BCTAP) is an innovative performing arts technical skills development program that provides paid job-training in theatre production for young, emerging theatre workers. Program participants take on meaningful assistance roles mentored by production professionals to gain unique and valuable experience they can bring with them into the workforce.
The BCTAP focuses on providing accessible experiential learning to youth in the community of Weston. This program also prioritizes applicants identifying as newcomers, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, and living in/around northwest Toronto to reduce barriers preventing youth from accessing careers in the performing arts industry while also increasing representation of these groups in the industry long-term.
The 2024 BCTAP program is possible because of the support of Anita Merlo and the Charitable Gaming Commission.
Summer and Fall 2024
This year, the BCTAP will engage 3 youth who will learn skills in producing, production management, live streaming, stage management, and tour management. Two of these youth will be engaged for the 2024 Summer in the Park season (3 shows presented over the course of the summer), and the third for our Fall school tour of THE ASSEMBLY. Participants will participate in:
Pre-production meetings with directors, producers, production managers, and designers
Regular production meetings
Weekly check-ins with a producer and production manager
Partaking in supervised production-related tasks during rehearsals, technical rehearsals and performances
Post-production and post-program interviews and feedback sessions
Upon completion of the program, participants will have a production assistant credit for professional resumes and portfolios.
Fall 2024 Cohort
What do you get?
Hands-on experience on a rehearsal process and school tour
Work closely with a mentor
Paid training
Production Assistant credit for your resume
Who are we looking for?
Early stage professionals seeking careers in theatre production (in roles such as technicians, backstage workers, or producers)
Applicants who live in or around Toronto, preferably from or with a connection to the Weston, Mount Dennis, Pelham area of Toronto
Some experience in a theatre setting, or current/recent enrolment in a theatre production training program
Key dates:
Application Deadline: October 16, 2024
Interviews: October 25, 2024
Start date: November 4, 2024
Rehearsals: November 11 - 27, 2024
School tour: November 25 - December 6, 2024*
*BCTAP participants must be available for all performance dates
Job Description
One BCTAP participant will be hired to work on THE ASSEMBLY as a Production Assistant. The primary duties of the Production Assistant will be (but are not limited to):
Assist Stage Manager in all assigned rehearsal duties
Attend all rehearsals of THE ASSEMBLY
Assist with preparing a rehearsal hall for rehearsal
Assist with preparing a script
Assist with tracking props and costumes
Assist with preparing and updating paperwork, including taking blocking notes, rehearsal notes, tracking paperwork, and production notes
Assist with the upkeep of health and safety procedures during the rehearsal and the run of the show
Assist with setting up and tearing down the show at each school venue
Assist with stage managing the show during performances
Expected Time Commitment: 120 hours November 4 to December 6, 2024
Fee: $20/hr x 120 hours = $2,400
About The Show
THE ASSEMBLY is an original interactive TYA (theatre for young audiences) piece conceived by next generation actors/creators Deivan Steele and Breanne Tice. This new work is a fun, cooperative, and thought-provoking exploration of intergenerational solidarity and ‘deep democracy’ through the structure of a Citizens' Assembly. Young audience members join a mock Assembly and take collective charge of their community’s governance, battle against impending collapse, and weigh the needs of their community with the prosperity and rights of generations still unborn.
Summer 2024 Cohort
What do you get?
Hands-on experience on 3 productions
Work closely with a mentor
Paid training
Production Assistant credit for your resume
A fun summer working outdoors with Crossroads Theatre!
Who are we looking for?
Early stage professionals seeking careers in theatre production (in roles such as technicians, backstage workers, or producers)
Applicants who live in or around Toronto, preferably from or with a connection to the Weston, Mount Dennis, Pelham area of Toronto
Some experience in a theatre setting, or current/recent enrolment in a theatre production training program
Key dates:
Application Deadline: June 16, 2024
Interviews: June 25, 2024
Start date: July 2, 2024
Finding Home tech week: July 8-12, 2024
Finding Home performances: July 13 & 14, 2024*
Weston Silver Band performances: July 25 & August 1, 2024*
Art Ambulance performances: August 23, 24, 25, 2024*
Post-program interviews and feedback sessions: August 26-30, 2024
*BCTAP participants must be available for all performance dates
Job Descriptions
Both BCTAP summer participants will be part of a cohort, taking meetings together and learning from each other. Each participant will take a turn as the “lead apprentice” on a specific show, having an opportunity to learn project management and in charge of the division of labour for the other participant, in the guidance of the lead mentor. Each participant will work directly with the lead mentor, having individual time with the mentor.
Expected time commitment: 90 hours between July 2nd and August 31st, 2024
Fee breakdown: $20/hour x 90 hours = $1,800
This time includes weekly check-ins as a group with mentors, and individual time with the mentor for lead apprentices. Some of the tasks they may be engaged in are:
Organizing and overseeing the technical requirements of the production
Communicating notes and resolving production issues
Aiding with the set-up and take down of the production
Providing backstage technical support for all performances
Attending all technical rehearsals and performances
Acting as lighting or sound technician for all performances
Aiding with the set-up and take down of all cameras and sound equipment for live stream
Operating cameras and live stream software during performances
Attending safety workshops and practicing protocols
The BCTAP summer cohort will be mentored primarily by our summer Production Manager, and have opportunities to learn from the Artistic Director, Executive Director, Live-Stream Producer, and other workshop facilitators.
About the shows
Finding Home: a Salmon Journey Upstream
July 13-14, 2024: Coproduced with Theatre Direct and Animacy Theatre Collective. Finding Home runs 40 minutes in length and is followed by a 15 minute Q&A where audiences can ask the creators of the show their salmon related questions. There will be 2 daytime performances each day at 11am and 2pm.
Weston Silver Band
July 25 & August 1, 2024: Weston Silver Band will present 2 concerts featuring a Brass Band consisting of 28 brass players plus percussion. There will be two evening performances starting at 7pm, and they will both be live streamed using multi camera angles.
Art Ambulance
August 23-25, 2024: Clay and Paper Theatre will perform a vaudevillian series of stories that pop up from their bike trailers. Art Ambulance will be performed on Friday and Saturday evening at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm, where it will end in a parade and festival in the park to close our season.
Summer 2023
Our 2023 BCTAP participants formed the production crew for otîhêw, a full-scale stage play in Memorial Park. They served as Assistant Designer, Apprentice Stage Manager, Assistant Technical Director, Costume Production Assistant, Sound Production Assistant and Lights Production Assistant.