Fellowships (assistant director or sound design)

Theater Mu is seeking two fellows—an assistant directing fellow and a sound design fellow—for its world premiere of Fifty Boxes of Earth. 

The assistant directing fellow will support director kt shorb across meetings, rehearsals, and performances with note taking, observations, and more. The sound design fellow will receive on-the-job training and mentorship from sound designer Katharine Horowitz. Both positions are created with early-career and emerging artists in mind, but all can apply.

Stipend: $1,000 per fellowship

Application process: Send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] (subject: FIFTY BOXES OF EARTH Assistant Director Application OR FIFTY BOXES OF EARTH Sound Design Fellow Application). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a hard deadline of Nov 1.

If you have any questions about the position, please direct them to the same email. See the original job postings.

SYNOPSIS

In this world premiere, Q just moved to the neighborhood, but instead of a bed, they brought fifty boxes of earth for the community garden. When Q starts cultivating fantastical, improbable plants, one man's distrust grows even as his young daughter reaches out in friendship. A creative response to Bram Stoker's Dracula, Fifty Boxes of Earth weaves in choreography and puppetry to consider the heavy costs of leaving a home and putting down new roots.

REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES

• Pre-Production Meetings: mid-October and onward
• First Rehearsal: Jan 29, 2025
• Tech Rehearsals: Feb 19-Mar 1, 2025
• Previews: Feb 27 & 28, 2025
• Opening Night: Mar 1, 2025
• Closing Performance: Mar 16, 2025

Rehearsals, tech, and performances will take place at Park Square Theatre (408 Saint Peter St., Saint Paul)

ASSISTANT DIRECTING FELLOW QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience and interest in a theater discipline (directing, acting, writing, designing, stage management, producing, dramaturging, etc.).
• A positive attitude.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent observation, listening, attentiveness, and awareness skills.
• Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status.
• The ability to work well under pressure and to respond calmly and efficiently to frequent changes during the production and rehearsal process.
• Reliability: While hours can be flexible, you must be open to evenings and weekends, reflective of the dynamic schedule of the theater.
• Ability to take handwritten or typed notes quickly and legibly.
• Experience or interest in directing.
• Strong textual analysis skills.

ASSISTANT DIRECTING FELLOW RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reports to and supports the director, kt shorb.
• Attends rehearsals, preview performances, and some design and production meetings, where they are responsible for careful observation, notetaking, and flexibility to meet the requests of the director. Rehearsal schedule will be determined by director, assistant director, and cast availability. 
• Ensures familiarity with the play before design meetings begin.
• Establishes working relationship with the director.
• Keeps careful observation of actors’ notes being given by the director. Takes, organizes, and distributes notes for designers and actors per the director’s request.
• Views the role from a learning perspective and shares thoughts on the production if elicited by the director.
• Attends orientation, mid-process evaluation, and final reflection meeting after the fellowship concludes.

SOUND DESIGN FELLOW QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic familiarity with a DAW software program and with QLab. No need to be an expert—a basic familiarity is fine. 
• An active interest in the art of sonic storytelling
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent observation, listening, attentiveness, and awareness skills.
• Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status.
• The ability to work well under pressure and to respond calmly and efficiently to frequent changes during the production and rehearsal process.
• Reliability: While hours can be flexible, you must be open to evenings and weekends, reflective of the dynamic schedule of the theater.
• Access to personal or public transportation to get to meetings, rehearsals, etc.
• A commitment to Theater Mu’s mission and values as an arts organization built upon social justice, exemplary theater, and Asian American stories.
• Must be 18 or older to apply.
• Desired: 1+ years of academic, professional, or internship experience in sound design, OR 1+ years of academic, professional, or volunteer experience as a theater technician in any design area.

SOUND DESIGN FELLOW RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures familiarity with the play before design meetings begin (a script will be provided).
• Views the role from a learning perspective and shares thoughts on the production if elicited by the designer.
• Works with the design mentor to set learning objectives and complete designated projects.
• Attends design and production meetings as requested by the sound designer, director, or production manager. 
• Attends all technical rehearsals. 
• Attends fellowship orientation, mid-process evaluation, and final reflection meeting after the fellowship concludes.
• Completes Theater Mu’s post-show fellowship survey.