JOIN ROUNDABOUT YOUTH ENSEMBLE!
ROUNDABOUT YOUTH ENSEMBLE SPRING 2024 IS IN SESSION
Thirteen NYC Public High Schools are being represented in RYE’s Manhattan company this semester. RYE borough companies are in session at Port Richmond High School 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 in the Black Box Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre.
Save The Date
The RYE Playwright Readings will be on May 20 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 in Roundabout’s Black Box Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. Student leaders and participants are responsible for artistic and managerial decisions for the world premiere production.
SUMMER TIMELINE (Mondays Off, Tuesday-Thursday from 12-4pm)
June 3- August 14: Leadership Team
June 27 – August 14: All Ensemble Members
Important Dates
- Leadership Interviews: Wednesday, May 15 from 4:30-6:30pm
- Ensemble Auditions/Interviews: Wednesday/Thursday (June 5 & 6) from 4:30-6:30pm
Seeking creative young artists for the following leadership positions:
- Director
- Production Manager
- Stage Manager
- Sound Design Leader
- Lighting Design Leader
- Set Design Leader
- Costume Design Leader
- Marketing Director
Full descriptions for each position can be found below.
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.
Applications are now open.
LEADERSHIP INTERVIEWS WILL BE WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 FROM 4:30-6:30PM
Submit by end of day May 13.
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CAST OR A TECH TEAM?
ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS/INTERVIEWS WILL BE JUNE 5 & 6 FROM 4:30-6:30PM
Submit by end of day Monday, June 3.
Full descriptions and timeline for Leadership positions can be found below.
RYE Leaders and Ensemble members will need to commit to the following dates & times:
June 3- August 14 (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: 11am-12pm (First & Last Day of every week)
June 27 – August 14 (All Ensemble Members)
- Most Mondays off- Except for the week of Monday, July 1 (Monday ON, Thursday OFF)
- Rehearsals: Tuesdays-Friday from 12pm-4pm
- Tech Rehearsals: Tuesday August 6- Thursday August 9 from 12pm-6pm, Friday August 10 from 12pm-4pm
- Invited Dress Rehearsal: Friday, August 10 from 4-6pm
- Performance #1 and #2: Saturday, August 10 from 12pm-9pm
- Performance #3: Sunday, August 11 from 12-4pm
LEADERSHIP ROLE DESCRIPTIONS
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.
A Roundabout Teaching Artist mentors the director through the audition, rehearsal and tech process.
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 Manager/Producer and a Roundabout Teaching artist mentors the production manager through the process.
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 production meetings, and coordinates communication between all the parties. The stage manager supervises the stage crew, leads technical rehearsals, and calls cues for performances.
A Roundabout Teaching Artist mentors the stage manager through the audition, rehearsal and tech process.
SOUND DESIGN LEADER
The sound design leader will be the main point of contact for the sound design team. The sound design team is responsible for all sound components of the production. This task includes securing a sound system, music playback, and creating any sound effects. The leader will relay any artistic questions and ideas to the stage manager, communicate with the General 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.
A Roundabout Teaching Artist mentors the sound design leader through pre-production, rehearsal and tech processes.
LIGHTING DESIGN LEADER
The lighting design leader will be the main point of contact for the lighting design team. The lighting design 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 General 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 DESIGN LEADER
The set design leader will be the main point of contact for the set design team. T
The set design 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 General 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 DESIGN LEADER
The costume design leader will be the main point of contact for the costume design team.
The costume design 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 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.
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.
If you have any questions, please email RYE@roundabouttheatre.org.
Health & Safety Note: Roundabout Youth Ensemble participants will follow the current COVID-19 guidelines for Roundabout audiences.
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 to Education at Roundabout’s many programs: The Bok Family Foundation—Roxanne and Scott L. Bok Trustees, Capital One, Samantha Rudin Earls and David Earls, the Gray Foundation, Jeanne and Tom Hagerty, HedgeServ Corporation, The JPB Foundation, The Kaplen Brothers Fund, the Kors Le Pere Foundation, Jill and Barry Lafer, Gess and Pamela LeBlanc, the Julia C. Levy Education Fund, David and Anita Massengill, the Mustang Foundation, the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Mary Solomon/GSGives, Jennifer and Owen Thomas, the Tiger Baron Foundation, Diane and Tom Tuft, Cynthia C. Wainwright and Stephen Berger, Johannes and Regis Worsoe, and Emmy Zuckerman and Ed Bonfield.