COMPANY B
(Company B actors are at least 23 years old with 2+ years classical training and 2+ years professional (paid) Shakespeare credits.
If you do not have these qualifications, please see Company 'A')
July 17-August 24th
Features paid non-union actor/teachers with (light) backstage and staff responsibilities. We cast the right actor for the role, regardless of age, gender or “type”: Men play women, women play men, “children” may actually be older than their “parents”! If you are a stickler for “realism” and don’t like performing with dogs, children, your bosses, outside in all kinds of weather or a truncated “fast and furious” rehearsal period that is mostly about blocking—then we are NOT the Company for you! If, however, you are a multi-talented “think outside the box” actor comfortable with a directing style of “blocking first, make sense of it later” then YOU ARE FOR US! We need entertainers who feel at home in front of any audience, anywhere, anytime: You will star in our evening Main Stage shows, do a Family Show matinee and teach a theatre camp class—all in the same week! ALUMNI: In addition to inspiring them to start their own theatre companies (4 and counting!) our alumni have gone on to work in tv/films as well as with: Italy's Festa Theatre, The American Repertory Theatre, Theatre at Monmouth, The Shakespeare Theatres of Washington (DC), New Jersey, Chicago, the Adirondacks and Arizona, national tours with Shakespeare LIVE, Chamber Theatre and Shakespearience (among others) and regional companies in New York City, L.A. (and everywhere in between!)
HERE’S WHAT SOME OF OUR
FORMER ACTORS HAD TO SAY….
"Thank you for this amazing opportunity. I have been able to grow in ways this summer that I never expected to...It's been a real joy working with you and to have had a small part in something that will one day be very big"
Dan, 2007
"Thank you for the opportunity to be here and work with you. I had an amazing time, personally and professionally!"
Alanna, 2006
"I am blessed to be playing these roles, with this company of actors and in this perfect setting".
Todd, 2007
"This has been a really exciting experience. The community is thrilled to have us here and has been incredibly supportive of us...I am housed in a mansion (the nicest summer-stock housing I have ever seen!) Above all, the level of talent brought together is exceptional, setting a very high standard for future productions in the region. I hope to have the opportunity to return next year (and beyond) to watch this company develop into a mature, established fixture on the national theatre scene."
Megan, 2006
"Thank you for letting me be a part of something so special"
Mikki 2006
"The roles I played kept my summer exciting and challenging, giving me a heightened sense of strength and confidence in my craft"
Leila, 2007
"What I valued most about my time with TUTS was performing constantly, in different shows, in different venues. I wish all my days were structured that way"
Mitchell, 2009
"SITV was what took me to the next level, and I am so grateful for the incredible experience, and your faith in me."
Lindsay, 2009
SCHEDULE: For both companies, most work weeks include six days of performance and/or rehearsal and one day off—although in rehearsal weather plays such a big role we usually end up having no or only half days off during that time period. Some work days will be shorter than others, but we have something going on from 9am-9pm pretty much every day of the rehearsal period, which is approximately 2 weeks for 3 Main Stage shows and 4 half hour Town Square Family Matinee shows. It's a "whirligig of the mind" (body and spirit)!! Once we open, performances are Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday nights with half hour Family Matinees Fri and Sat during the day.
1. Ability to perform outdoors: We perform and rehearse on our unsheltered outdoor stages, 9 hours (or more) often during daylight. It can be hot, buggy, windy, muggy with (sometimes) intermittent rain showers. We have an indoor theatre as a back up space in case of truly inclement weather, but we "go" as much as possible outdoors. We need actors with strong voices to carry over the wind and who won’t wilt in the sun/heat. As well, we need disciplined actors who can focus and not let airplanes, passing cars, barking dogs, music or yelling children distract them during rehearsal and performance. 2. Physical Fitness: We utilize the entire outdoor ampitheatre. That means actors have exits at one end and a very quick entrance at a completely opposite end—even from the woods! There is a lot of running around, climbing, jumping, hand-to-hand, pratfalls and sword play. Backstage there can be some lugging, moving and carrying of large items.
3. Ability to throw away the "4th wall": We perform in an interactive style—addressing the audience directly. As well, our audiences address us—they are encouraged to shout "huzzah" when they are happy, "boo" when they are not (all in good fun) and answer a question if asked. Our Family Shows are interactive in that we get audience members on stage acting with us.
4. Ability to perform ‘anywhere, any time, any condition”: We pride ourselves on our “run and gun” guerilla mentality. This means simple (or next to no) sets. A low, platform stage. No run crew. Little or no set pieces or props. No curtain or wings. Minimal lights. No sound enhancement. Nothing elaborate to hide behind or distract from the power of the words 5. Verbal agility: The biggest direction you’ll get is "PUTP, PUTP"! It means "Pick Up The Pace". Performed as Shakespeare intended, using his text as "clues" and his punctuation as a key to where (and how) to breathe. Our 2007 "Romeo and Juliet" truly was "two hours traffic on the stage" (actually it was more like 1 and 1/2 hours!).
6. Okay with abridged shows, early curtain: For reasons having to do with all sorts of things, we abridge the shows to run in approximately 1 ¼-1 ½ hours including a 15 minute intermission. As well, we have early start times (4:30-6:30 depending upon the space), in order to better replicate authentic Renaissance conditions and to take advantage of as much natural daylight as possible.
7. Can work with Children and Dogs: We have children in at least one Main Stage show. Little eyes (and ears!) are everywhere. Actors who have scenes with the kids are asked to watch them backstage as well as watch out for and mentor them. We usually have at least one dog in one show and the actor who performs with it also watches out for it backstage. If you have an aversion to children or dogs, we may not be the place for you! 8. Diversity: We look for actors who can play/write/sing music a capella (unplugged /unaccompanied), tumblers, dancers, gymnasts, teachers, comedians, improv experts, who can sew their own hem, watch out for their props and perform some backstage tasks. We will use every part of your skills, talent and training. Have an unusual stage-worthy skill? Bring it on! We will (probably) find a place for it somewhere!!
9. Drivers: There is some driving. As well, rehearsals and housing are spread out over a 20 mile radius from the theatre. We look for actors who have cars, valid licenses and insurance. We try to insure that at least 50% of each Company has a car and those who do must agree to transport their colleagues who don't.
10. Well-equipped actors: Actors are expected to provide their own make-up (including special character pieces like aging make-up or mustaches/beards) and rehearsal shoes. For rehearsals, women (or men playing women) must have floor length rehearsal skirts and boned corsets. Actors are encouraged to bring any footwear, wigs and Renaissance clothing items/weapons they have that may help the production (but don't worry--we do provide great costumes--check out our pics to see for yourself).
11. Good Attitude: We are a "lean, mean, Shakespearean machine" in every sense of the word. It is important that morale be kept up. Your personalities count more than your acting ability! One minute you’re mopping up the dressing room, the next starring in "Romeo and Juliet"! Everyone does everything. 12. Training that meshes with us: Although there is much more of an educational component in Company A than B, as part of each company’s rehearsal process, we devote time to our very popular "Bard Bootcamp". It features exercises designed to quickly orient everyone as to how we at TUTS/SITV approach character, text and scansion. There’ll also be an orientation, presentations from directors as per their "vision" for the shows and one-on-one meetings with the directors as per character work. Since our rehearsal time is so limited, the majority of rehearsals are blocking rehearsals. Actors are expected to take the blocking and do character work around it, on their own…so we look for actors who have had training that allows them to do so. The Bootcamp gives us all a chance to "play". In our Company, "the text is all" and we want everyone pulling in the same direction and speaking the same language from the get-go. The months lading up to your arrival in NH are where the “table work” occurs—through emails and phone calls with the directors. You will get your scripts with at least 6 weeks (usually more like 8-10) to learn your lines.
13. Okay with Production Work: All company members will also be assigned production duties that will, at times, be more important than the acting work. Duties include assisting the Company Manager, setting up the theatre for performance, helping to set the lighting, working on costumes and props, teaching at our youth camps, etc. Everyone participates in strike.
14. Punctuality: Our motto: If you are not fifteen minutes early, then you are late. It takes time to prepare for a Shakespearean rehearsal (voice and physical warm up, getting into rehearsal clothes, weapons adjusted, etc) and we need the Company ready to take the stage exactly on time.
15. Respect, Maturity and Trust: We follow the Artist-Manager model. Therefore, the Artistic Director, director and other Company personnel are a part of the acting ensemble. Your "bosses" will have major roles in each of the productions, working alongside you as part of the ensemble--even as your romantic foil. We need actors with enough confidence, maturity and experience to trust, embrace and have fun with that. However it is our policy that no-one appears on our stage that did not audition. The Artistic Director and staff conduct the auditions and make recommendations about the Company. However, final selection of the Company and individual role assignments are then made by an independent panel of theatre and Shakespearean experts who view the videotaped auditions of the selected Company (for Company B) and the resumes (for Company A) and use a 30 point scale (slightly different for each company) to choose the Company/roles--scoring closest to 30 points and a strong audition are two of our biggest casting criteria for both companies. 
16. Professionalism/Integrity: We perform "without a net" and have no understudies. We expect that if you sign a legally-binding contract and give your word to be with us, you’ll show up. No excuses. Therefore, the only excuse for a missed rehearsal is a death in the family. The only excuse for a missed performance is your own death. Because both companies comprise our Main Stage season, there are (possible) legal ramifications for actors that leave the Company after going to contract--even Company A, which is paying tuition. So think carefully before you sign on the dotted line. 17. Non-Smokers: WE ARE A NON-SMOKING COMPANY.
18. Flexibility in the Creative process/Rehearsal: We look for actors that “get it”...and are “quick studies”. Although slightly different for Company A, our truncated rehearsal time leaves very little room for exploration of the text while we are in NH. We put our Company B shows on their feet in approximately 6 days of rehearsal, with 1-2 dresses. How we are able to accomplish this is attributable to several factors: The actors arrive "performance ready" off-book and the director (who has a strong film/tv "time is money" background) has everything paper-blocked and a very strong vision of the show. But more importantly, by the time we arrive in NH, each actor has had phone consults with the director and been sent notes on the director's vision and choices for the shows, their characters and recommendations for other resources they could use in their research and preparation.
19. Understanding the Importance of Casting: If you cast the right actors, there is very little "work" that needs to be done. We spend an average of 6 hours a person in our casting process, with 30-50% of that in direct contact with the actor. We cast "true to self"--and by that we don't mean we trade in the usual Hollywood cliches. In past, a summer with us has helped many "character actors" find their inner "leading man/woman" (and vice-versa). If you are cast with us, be prepared to have one role that will be "a walk in the park" and one that will seem "off the wall" (and probably scare the s--t out of you. 20. What we look for: That said, we have found that some actors "get" what we are about, surrender to our unique "non process" process, embrace and revel in it while others struggle. Less experienced actors (those closest to their university days) or those coming from huge, long-established and well-endowed companies tend to have the most difficult time during NH rehearsals, while those who are older, have worked in a diversity of fields, or have dance, musical theatre, tv or British stage experience have the best time. If you are a "method" actor or one whose vision of "creative process" includes lengthy table work, large amounts of time devoted to exploring the "beats" and "finding your way" in rehearsal or who doesn't like to work from the outside (i.e. the blocking) in, then we are NOT the Company for you!!!
However, if you want to learn a different way of working, a way that helps you quickly "drop into" the immediate performance of a piece, want to add "another string to your bow" and think you might want to work in tv or film, then we ARE the company for you!!
FAQ About What We Offer:
Paid? Company A (”SHAKESPERIMENT”): No. Because it is a conservatory program with educational workshops, lectures and classes that carry additional costs to us, those performers are unpaid and pay tuition that defray the costs to run the program. Company B: Yes. Actors are paid a lump sum that is broken down into bi-monthly (i.e. “every 2 weeks”) payments. Fees range between $800-$1100 for the approximately 5 week period (app. 4 weeks in NH and app. 1 week in NYC). EMC? No. We are proudly a 100% non-Equity company and happy to offer the many, many excellent non-union artists out there a chance to showcase their myriad talents as well as a place to grow and flourish in their craft.
Housing Provided? Yes--FOR BOTH COMPANIES WHILE IN NH: Furnished housing and basic utilities (water/heat/electric) in 3 towns within a 20 mile radius area surrounding the theatre. Most housing is with host families-organizations. Actors can expect to have (same sex) room mates. All residences have access to shared living, bath and kitchen facilities within the residence. We have a limited number of places within walking distance of the theatre, as well as a select few for those with pet allergies. Some (especially the hypo-allergenic) will require a car. FOR COMPANY B WHILE IN NYC: For those who live there, no housing provided (and it is required of those who live there to host non-NYC resident Company members, if able). For those who do not reside in NYC, we will ASSIST you in finding housing but housing in NYC is the actor’s responsibility.
Health Insurance? No. Since our paid actors are subcontractors, we do not offer health, workman’s comp or unemployment insurance. All actors must sign a waiver. COMPANY A actors must have proof of insurance to qualify for the program.
Meals? Not included. But we do host Company BBQ’s, parties and dinners. In NH, we are usually offered 50% discounts by a few of the Valley restaurants and shops.
Roles?If you want to act you’re tush off and play a variety of roles in different venues, then you’ll be in “alternating rep heaven”: COMPANY A comprises the first half of our season, presenting 3 evening Main Stage shows and multiple Sugar-Coated Shakespeare Family Matinees. COMPANY B takes over mid-season to present 3 evening Main Stage shows and multiple Sugar-Coated Shakespeare Family Matinees. All perform on our indoor and outdoor stages at several different sites in the region.Teaching credentials? Company A: No. Company B: Yes. Actors conduct workshops with kids ages 5-16 at our Youth Theater Day Camp. As well, the kids are a part of one Main Stage show. ALL of our actors are expected to be positive role models and mentors to the young thespians among us all summer.
Anything else? Yes. Quality of life, resort area: You get to live in a gorgeous summer resort area surrounded by biking, downhill mountain biking, hiking, swimming, tennis and golf venues. In past, we've been able to get free passes to the local multi-million dollar sports and health complex (2 pools, steam rooms, weight machines, indor tennis and raquetball, classes, etc).