2026
TECH APPRENTICE PROGRAM
Spring Session Priority Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
Summer Session Priority Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
Fall Session Priority Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
Marin Shakespeare Company, renowned for its award-winning outdoor summer Shakespeare performances, invites high school and college students to join the 2026 Tech Apprentice Program. Performances are held at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre on the Dominican University campus, as well as at the indoor venue at 514 Fourth Street, both in San Rafael, California, just twelve miles north of San Francisco.
This program offers participants a unique opportunity to explore various aspects of theatre production through hands-on experience and mentorship in technical theatre, design, and front-of-house operations.
Program Highlights
Participants will receive personalized instruction and practical training in one or more of the following areas under the guidance of our experienced production team of designers, technical director, lead engineers, and stage management:
- Set Design, Construction, and Scenic Art
- Lighting Design
- Costume Design and Wardrobe Crew
- Prop Design
- Stage Management and Run Crew
- House Management & Audience Services
Hands-On Experience
Apprentices may:
- Engage in prop and set construction, painting, and lighting setup (hang and focus).
- Attend rehearsals and assist the stage management team or the director.
- Support live performances by working backstage or assisting with audience services.
- Develop valuable skills in all phases of production while preparing for future careers as theatre technicians and designers.
Commitment to Equity
Marin Shakespeare Company is dedicated to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants. If you have special needs, let us know and we’ll work with you to ensure your participation.
SPRING SESSION
March 2 – May 13, 2026
One-For-All Solo Festival & La Comedia of Errors
514 Fourth Street
Apprentices will:
- Serve as production assistants for One-For-All Solo Festival, a three-weekend festival of solo performances. This may include attending rehearsals, assisting stage management, and technical support/ run crew/ front of house, for one or more projects during one or more of the following weekends.
- Tech: Based on solo artist needs and schedule
- Performances:
- Week 1: March 7 & 8, 2026
- Week 2: March 14 & 15, 2026
- Week 3: March 21 & 22, 2026
AND/OR
- Assist with scenic and lighting installation, run crew, and strike for Spring Shakespeare Production, La Comedia of Errors, a bilingual adaptation of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. This production has weekday matinees for student audiences as well as public performances on the weekends. Apprentices must be available for all technical rehearsals and performances (including student matinees) of production as well as one week of load-in OR strike.
- Load In/ Install: March 23- April 9, 2026
- Tech: Apr 10 – 18, 2026
- Performances:
- SMATs: Fri, Apr 17; Thu, Apr 23; Fri, May 1, 2026
(performances 10 am and 1 pm) - Opening: Sat, Apr 18, 2026 (Sat at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm)
- Closing: Sun, May 10, 2026
- SMATs: Fri, Apr 17; Thu, Apr 23; Fri, May 1, 2026
- Strike: May 11-13, 2026
SUMMER SESSION
May 18 – September 17, 2026
Forest Meadows Shakespeare Productions
Apprentices will assist with scenic install, changeover, and strike as well as an assigned run-crew or front-of-house position for the summer season productions of two Shakespeare plays atForest Meadows Amphitheatre: As You Like It, adapted and directed by Evren Odcikin, and Julius Caesar, adapted and Directed by Jon Tracy. Apprentices must be available for all technical rehearsals and performances of production(s) as well as one week of load-in OR strike/changeover.
Production Schedules:
- AS YOU LIKE IT
- Load In/ Install: May 18 – June 11, 2026
- Tech: June 12 – 20, 2026
- Performances
- 1st Preview: Fri, June 19, 2026
- Opening: Sat, June 20, 2026
(Thu, Fri, Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 5 pm - Closing: Sun, July 19, 2026
- Strike: July 20-27, 2026
- JULIUS CAESAR
- Change Over/ Install: July 27- Aug 6, 2026
- Tech: Aug 7 – 15, 2026
- Performances:
- 1st Preview: Fri, Aug 14, 2026
- Opening: Sat, Aug 15, 2026
Thu, Fri, Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 5 pm - SMATs: Thu, Sep 4 & 11, 2026 @ 11am
- Closing: Sun, Sep 13, 2026
- Strike: September 14-17, 2026
- FM Strike: Oct 5-19, 2026
FALL SESSION
September 28 – December 21, 2026
Seeds of Time Festival & TBA Holiday Production
514 Fourth Street
Apprentices will:
- Serve as production assistants for Seeds of Time, a festival of new plays in development. This may include attending rehearsals, assisting stage management, and technical support/ run crew/ front of house, for one or more projects during one or more of the following weeks:
- Week 1: Sep 28 – Oct 4, 2026
- Week 2: Oct 5 – 11, 2026
- Week 3: Oct 12 – 18, 2026
AND/OR
- Scenic and lighting installation, run crew, and strike for The Secret Garden, adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel by Jon Tracy and directed by Bridgette Loriaux. Apprentices must be available for all technical rehearsals and performances of production(s) as well as one week of load-in OR strike.
- Load-in/Install: Nov 9 – 19, 2026
- Tech: Nov 20 – 28, 2026
- Performances
- 1st Preview: Fri, Nov 27, 2026
- Opening: Sat, Nov 28, 2026
(performances: Thu, Fri, Sat at 7:30 pm | Sun at 2 pm) - SMATs: Thu, Dec 4, 11, 18, 2026 @ 11 am
- Closing: Sun. Dec 20, 2026
- Strike: December 21-23, 2026
How to Apply
For best consideration, apply by the listed application deadline. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a rolling basis. You may apply for more than one session.
Once the priority application deadline for each session has passed, you will be contacted to schedule an in-person interview with Marin Shakespeare staff.
Questions? Contact: Elana Kepner, Education Director, 415.499.4487, education@marinshakespeare.org
Other Training Opportunities
Summer Acting Intensive Lab: For early-career actors 18+. For more info

