The resounding demand for racial equity and inclusion in the American theatre has re-affirmed the Festival’s commitment to providing meaningful work experience and increased opportunities for early career theatre-makers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in its 66-year-old training program. WTF has refashioned its training program with an emphasis on structured learning that presents outstanding opportunities for early career theatre-makers. BTU was formed to protect and promote Black talent, Black people, and Black lives. BTU and WTF came together to build this new program in the shared dedication to creating new opportunities for emerging talent in all areas of theatre, in an environment focused on the core values of equity and inclusion. Launched with the support of a generous lead gift from the Tiger Baron Foundation, the Early Career BIPOC Theatre-Makers Program represents the first piece of a new structure that seeks to eliminate systems of racism at the Festival.
Participants in the Early Career BIPOC Theatre-Makers Program – who will be recruited and identified jointly by the organizations and named as BTU Rise Fellows – will spend the summer in residence at the Festival, engaging in a newly co-conceived and co-executed “work & learn” experience. Together, both BTU and WTF have built a program that provides each participant with room, board, and a stipend of $2,500. Participants, who must be at least 18 years of age and currently enrolled in an educational institution, will be embedded in a specific WTF department, working alongside seasoned practitioners while also learning as a cohort in a classroom setting combining seminars, panels, and structured mentorship with founding members of BTU. This unique program puts early career BIPOC theatre-makers at the heart of Festival operations and in the company of BTU mentors, provides them with instruction and access to affinity groups, and prepares them for careers in the American theatre.
WTF will remain compliant with evolving federal, state, or local guidance in light of COVID-19.
Apply For The Early Career BIPOC Theatre-makers Program Now!
How to Apply
All applications for the 2021 Early Career BIPOC Theatre-makers Program must be submitted online. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and currently enrolled in an educational institution.
To apply, please click here!
The 2021 Early Career BIPOC Theatre-makers Program Application will include:
- A current resume
- Contact information for two references who can assess your qualifications and potential as a participant
- Statements about yourself and your professional interests and aims
- A current photograph
- A one-minute video that tells us about you (optional)
All materials shared via the application portal will be kept confidential. No videos, photos, or other content will be used for any purpose other than our internal application review process.
Applications for the 2021 program are due Friday, February 19th, 2021 at 12pm EST. We encourage you to submit your application ahead of this deadline, if possible.
Applications will be reviewed in February and March, and decisions will be made by late March. If you are on the waiting list, you will be notified by the end of March.
Early Career BIPOC Theatre-maker Program At A Glance
All applications for the 2021 Early Career BIPOC Theatre-Makers Program must be submitted online.
DATES AND LOCATION: The 2021 Program runs from June through early August, exact dates TBD, in Williamstown, MA. Full term attendance is required.
WTF will remain compliant with evolving federal, state, or local guidance in light of COVID-19.
WE PROVIDE: Room and board and a $2500 stipend for each participant.
AGE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by June 7th, 2021 and must be currently enrolled in an educational institution, whether it is a college, university, technical school, or other accredited institution, to participate in this program.
Apply For The Early Career BIPOC Theatre-makers Program Now!
Find Us
By Phone: (413) 458-3200
By Email: wtfinfo@wtfestival.org
By Snail Mail: PO Box 517
Williamstown, MA 01267