SPRING 2025 IS IN SESSION

19 NYC Public High Schools are being represented in RYE’s Manhattan company this semester. RYE borough companies are in session at Port Richmond on Staten Island and James Madison High School in Brooklyn.  

Our RYE companies are producing staged readings of original works created by RYE participants. This summer, one of the original works created this spring will receive a fully produced production with Roundabout Theatre Company.

SAVE THE DATE

The RYE Playwright Readings will be on Monday, May 19 from 4:30-8:30pm at the Todd Haimes Theatre (227 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036). 

JOIN ROUNDABOUT YOUTH ENSEMBLE THIS SUMMER

Roundabout Youth Ensemble (RYE) is an after-school and summer educational program for NYC public high school students. This summer RYE will produce a full-scale original production with Roundabout Theatre Company. Student leaders and participants are responsible for artistic and managerial decisions for the world premiere production. 

SUMMER TIMELINE

• June 2–August 13: Leadership Team  
• June 27–August 13: All Ensemble Members  
• Mondays Off (with exceptions, see below) 
• Tuesday-Thursday from 12-4pm 

Important Dates

Leadership Interviews:
Wednesday, May 7 from 4:30–6:30pm

Ensemble Auditions/Interviews: 
Wednesday/Thursday (June 4 & 5) from 4:30–6:30pm 

Seeking creative young artists for the following leadership positions:

You are an ideal candidate for one of these positions if you are passionate about making art, want to expand your leadership skills, and are excited to work collaboratively with a group of peers.

Full descriptions for each position can be found below.

RYE Leaders and Ensemble members will need to commit to the following dates & times:

June 2- August 13 (Leadership Team Only)
(June 3- June 13) Monday- Thursday from 4:30-6:30pm
Leadership kick-off, audition/interview prep for ensemble members, host auditions and attend “Leadership Trainings”

Leadership Meetings (Starting June 27)
11am-12pm (Every day of the week)

• June 27 – August 13 (All Ensemble Members)
• Most Mondays off- Except for Mondays, June 30 & July 7
• Rehearsals: Tuesdays-Friday from 12pm-4pm
• Tech Rehearsals
  • Tuesday August 5- Thursday August 8 from 12pm-6pm
  • Thursday, August 7, 7-9pm: Invited Dress
  • Friday August 9 from 12pm-2pm
• Friday, August 8, 2-4pm: (Performance #1)
• Friday, August 8, 7-9pm: (Performance #2)
• Saturday, August 9, 2-4pm (Performance #3)
• Saturday, August 9, 7-9pm (Performance #4)
• Sunday, August 10, 2-4pm (Performance #5)

Leadership Role / Ensemble Descriptions

A Roundabout Teaching Artist mentors each team through the audition, rehearsal and tech process. Mentors will prepare student leaders with the tools to carry out tasks and vision weekly. They will be in attendance one full day at the top of every week, and 4 hours spread through the remaining of the week. TA/Mentor schedule to be made during pre-production.

MARKETING DIRECTOR

The marketing director will create marketing content to advertise the show throughout the summer such as key art and social media promotion. The marketing director will also oversee all ticketing procedures in collaboration with Roundabout staff. A Roundabout Teaching Artist mentors the marketing director through the process. 

Must be familiar and/or comfortable with helping participants create RYE Summer program/other materials in Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. 

DIRECTOR

The director is responsible for collaborating with the playwright to create a unified vision for the play and collaborates with actors and designers to ensure that vision is communicated with the audience. During rehearsals, the director builds ensemble, shapes the blocking, plans the rehearsal schedule with the stage manager, guides actors through the rehearsal process, and maintains communication with designers and staff to effectively convey the vision of the play. 

PERFORMANCE TEAM 

(No leader. Mentor works alongside Directing Mentor).

The performance mentor will support actors during all parts of the theatrical process. From the first read through to Tech week, the performance mentor will support actors with gaining the skills necessary for effective and truthful storytelling and understanding their role in all parts of the theatrical process. The performance mentor will work closely with the directing mentor/student director to ensure performers are supported and feel confident in their performance.

PRODUCTION MANAGER

The production manager coordinates all the logistics of the production outside of the rehearsal room.  This includes overseeing the production schedule, production budget, purchasing protocols, monitoring team progress, and maintaining a safe working environment. The RYE Coordinator/Producer mentors the production manager through the process.

SOUND

Leader: The sound leader will be the main point of contact for the sound design team. The leader will relay any artistic questions and ideas to the stage manager, communicate with the Producer/Production Manager regarding budget and expenses, and represent the team at production meetings. They will also decide the production roles of the sound team in tech and performances. Important to note, while this position will lead the sound design team, it is not solely responsible nor will be given solo credit for the sound design of the final production. 

Team: The sound team is responsible for all sound components of the production. This task includes: Securing a sound system, music playback and creating any sound effects.

LIGHTING

Leader: The lighting leader will be the main point of contact for the lighting design team. 

Team: The lighting team is responsible for the production’s theatrical and practical lighting. This task will include securing and positioning equipment, creating cues, and running equipment. The leader will relay any artistic questions and ideas to the stage manager, communicate with the Producer/Production Manager regarding budget and expenses, and represent the team at production meetings. They will also decide the production roles of the lighting team in tech and performances. Important to note, while this position will lead the lighting design team, it is not solely responsible nor will be given solo credit for the lighting design of the final production. A Roundabout Teaching Artist mentors the lighting design leader through pre-production, rehearsal and tech processes.

SET LEADER

Leader: The set leader will be the main point of contact for the set design team. 

Team: The set team is responsible for all the scenery and props of the production. This task includes creating needed backdrops, furniture, and handheld items. The leader will relay any artistic questions and ideas to the stage manager and communicate with the Producer/Production Manager regarding budget, expenses, and ordering supplies. They will also represent the team at production meetings and decide the run crew roles of the set team in tech and performances. Important to note, while this position will lead the set design team, it is not solely responsible nor will be given solo credit for the set design of the final production. A Roundabout Teaching Artist mentors the set design leader through pre-production, rehearsal and tech processes.

COSTUME LEADER

Leader: The costume leader will be the main point of contact for the costume design team. 

Team: The costume team is in charge of all clothing, footwear, and accessories worn by the actors. The leader will relay any artistic questions and ideas to the stage manager and communicate with the Producer/Production Manager regarding budget, expenses, and ordering supplies. They will also represent the team at production meetings and decide the run crew roles of the costume team in tech and performances. Important to note, while this position will lead the costume design team, it is not solely responsible nor will be given solo credit for the costume design of the final production. A Roundabout Teaching Artist mentors the costume design leader through pre-production, rehearsal and tech processes.

RYE ALUMNI EVENTS

Participants from previous years of RYE/SPW who have graduated high school are encouraged to attend. Complimentary refreshments and tickets to Roundabout productions will be provided. Details on how to RSVP to come.  

Friday, May 24 @7pm - Pirates! The Penzance Musical

If you have any questions, please email RYE@roundabouttheatre.org.

Roundabout Youth Ensemble is made possible through the support of The Pinkerton Foundation and the Elroy and Terry Krumholz Foundation.  This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. 

We are grateful to those who contribute major support to Education at Roundabout’s many programs: The Bok Family Foundation—Roxanne and Scott L. Bok Trustees, Capital One, Lisa and Dick Cashin, Kate Davis, Samantha Rudin Earls and David Earls, Michael Fisch, Freedom Together Foundation, Gray Foundation, Jeanne and Tom Hagerty, HedgeServ Corporation, Jeannette and Grant Hobson, The Kaplen Brothers Fund, the Kors Le Pere Foundation, Jill and Barry Lafer, William P. Lauder, Gess and Pamela LeBlanc, The Julia C. Levy Education Fund, David and Anita Massengill, the Mustang Foundation, James L. Nederlander | Nick Scandalios, Katheryn Patterson and Tom Kempner, The May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, The Rudin Foundation, Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation, Beryl Snyder, Jennifer and Owen Thomas, Tiger Baron Foundation, Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, Diane and Tom Tuft, Cynthia C. Wainwright and Stephen Berger, Johannes and Regis Worsoe, Emmy Zuckerman and Ed Bonfield.