Open Culture Foundation, in collaboration with VR Theatrical and the Maynardville Open-Air Festival, is glad to announce a Technical Theatre Arts professional development opportunity for recent graduates in the Performing Arts.
Over the past two festival seasons, the development programme has grown from strength to strength, providing recent graduates with an opportunity to bridge the gap between training institutions and a professional work environment.
The programme is centered around creating the technical infrastructure and its execution for the Maynardville Festival, which stages Opera, Symphony, and Light Music productions, as well as its flagship annual Shakespeare production. Participants in the programme will be expected to stage manage, rig/focus/plot lights and sound, manage a wardrobe/set/props department, and run rehearsals for all the outputs. Participants will also supply general practical support to the festival, including shifts in front of house, setting up foyers and foyer displays, setting up the auditorium every night, and running backstage facilities.
The festival makes use of a technical supplier for sound and lighting equipment and builds its own sets and costumes. There are visiting designers for all aspects: lighting, sound, set, and costume, and participants will work alongside these designers.
For the 2025 season, we are looking for eight (8) recent graduates to join our team. If you are interested in joining the team, please see the application process below.
Requirements:
- Recently graduated from a tertiary Performing Arts Degree or Diploma (minimum three (3) years of study).
- Have a strong interest and some student experience in theatre technology if your degree/diploma was not in theatre technology.
- You must be available to work full-time for the festival from 10 January until 3 March.
- You must have the capacity to carry and load trucks – chairs, boxes, equipment, costumes, etc.
- You must have the capacity to climb a ladder.
- The festival provides no accommodation or transport.
- The weekly stipend for programme participants is R2,500.00.
Application Requirements:
Please complete the application form with as much detail as possible. Shortlisted candidates will be required to film an introduction to themselves and their skillsets prior to the interview process.
Note: This is not an internship for those seeking experience in the performing arts who have not studied in the field already.
Disclaimer: The selection panel’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.