Roundabout Youth Ensemble

Apply to Lead Roundabout Youth Ensemble this summer!

The Roundabout Youth Ensemble (RYE) is a student-led theatre company modeled after Roundabout’s professional theatre production process. In spring each year, NYC public high school students are invited to apply for leadership positions. When selected, leaders guide the RYE summer company of actors and designers through two months of rehearsals, culminating in final performances in August. Student leaders will be mentored by Roundabout teaching artists but will be solely responsible for all artistic and managerial decisions.

*Please note that this will be an in-person summer rehearsal process with the culminating performance taking place outdoors. All in-person rehearsals and performances will adhere to strict COVID-19 safety protocols and every ensemble member will be expected to follow these.*

This year, RYE Leaders will begin their position in May by co-hosting the Roundabout Youth New Original Works (RYNOW) Virtual Festival conducted over Zoom. To be considered for a leadership position you must be available for the key dates listed below.

This is a PAID opportunity. Summer Leaders earn a $600 stipend.

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Artistic Director is responsible for creating 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 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.

MANAGING DIRECTOR   

The Managing Director coordinates all the logistics of the production outside of the rehearsal room. This position manages the budget, oversees cost effectiveness, plans the overall production calendar, creates deadlines, handles personnel issues, tracks expenses, and coordinates catering. This also includes hiring the designers and working with the stage manager to assign the run crew; overseeing all design budgets; coordinating the purchase and use of design materials, attending and supervising work calls, and maintaining a safe working environment. The managing director ensures that the technical elements of the play coincide with the director’s vision of the play. The managing director, along with the stage manager, will also help ensure that the rehearsal and performance space are COVID compliant.

STAGE MANAGER   

The Stage Manager provides practical and organizational support to the director, actors, designers, stage crew, and technicians throughout the production process; maintains the rehearsal schedule, schedules and facilitates weekly production meetings, and coordinates communication between all the parties. The stage manager works with the Managing Director to assign the run crew, and runs tech week and all final performances.  The stage manager, along with the managing director, will help ensure that the rehearsal and performance space are COVID compliant.

SOUND/ELECTRICS  

The Sound/Electrics leader will be the main point of contact for all sound and lighting related matters. This includes staying in communication with the Artistic Director regarding all design ideas and relaying questions to the stage manager. This also includes communicating with the Managing Director regarding budget and expenses.  They will track the sound and lighting ideas/choices/progress and present these at production meetings.  While they will be responsible for organizing the sound paperwork and communicating design choices, they are not solely responsible, nor will they be given solo credit for the sound and lighting design of the final production. Given the outdoor setting, there will be limited lighting design but it is anticipated there will be the possibility of using some lighting and electrics.

SET/PROPS  

The Set/Props leader will be the main point of contact for all set/prop related design matters. This includes staying in communication with the Artistic Director regarding all design ideas and relaying questions to the stage manager. This also includes communicating with the Managing Director regarding budget, expenses, and ordering supplies. They will track the set and prop ideas/choices/progress and present these at production meetings.  While they will be responsible for organizing the set and prop supplies and communicating design choices, they are not solely responsible, nor will they be given solo credit for the set and prop design of the final production. Given the outdoor setting, the set design construction will be limited but there will be furniture and props to design and source.

COSTUME  

The Costume Leader will be the main point of contact for all costume design matters. This includes staying in communication with the Artistic Director regarding all design ideas and relaying questions to the stage manager. This also includes communicating with the Managing Director regarding budget, expenses, and ordering supplies. They will track the costume ideas/choices/progress and present these at production meetings.  While they will be responsible for organizing the costume paperwork/fittings and communicating design choices, they are not solely responsible, nor will they be given solo credit for the costume designs of the final production.

PLAY DEVELOPMENT TEAM    

The Play Development Team will be a team of 3 that will work together on the development of the play by becoming dramaturgs and experts on the material generated throughout the school year. The play development team will craft this material into a full-length production, honoring the work and input of all Roundabout Youth Ensemble members. Once the script is finalized, the team will work together to create marketing content to advertise the show throughout the summer such as key art and social media promotion.

To apply, please click here.

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Please note that Roundabout Youth Ensemble is a free program for New York City Public High School Students.

If you have any questions, email us at rye@roundabouttheatre.org.

Roundabout Youth Ensemble is made possible through the support of The Pinkerton Foundation.