Introducing The 2018-2019 Emerging Artist Cohort!
Bag&Baggage is proud to introduce our patrons to our second group of emerging artists! We received dozens of applications from all over the country for this program, and the competition was fierce – thank you to all of the artists who applied, and please welcome the 2018-19 Emerging Artists!
Olivia Anderson, Darwin Pringle, Kai Hennig, and Jurnee Neeko
Applications for the 2019-2020 Emerging Artist Program will open in January 2019…
ABOUT BAG&BAGGAGE
Located in the heart of downtown Hillsboro, Oregon (just 20 miles west of Portland), Bag&Baggage is a regionally and nationally acclaimed mid-sized professional theatre with a 12 year history of producing innovative, provocative retellings of classic English and American drama. B&B is one of two professional theatre companies in Washington County, and is the largest cultural non-profit in Hillsboro. In early 2017, B&B will take ownership of our own studio-style theatre space: a permanent home for a company with deep roots in Hillsboro and a commitment to ensuring our community has access to the highest quality theatre right here where they live, work, and play. The new space will be our performance home (with a flexible studio-style theatre with a maximum of 165 seats), as well as a bar, administrative offices, costume and prop storage, and shop space. The new building will also be available for outside rentals and for use by other arts organizations. B&B produces a season of 6 shows annually during a 10 month season, beginning each summer with an outdoor Shakespeare followed by five indoor productions that follow a standard schedule: an American classic, a Halloween-themed show, a holiday show, an adaptation, and an English classic.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
This is a 10-month-long program, lasting from August to May, and requires a commitment of 20 hours per week. Each class of Emerging Artists (EAs) will play an essential role in B&B operations. Working in every facet of the organization, these EAs learn standards of professionalism while building their resumes and portfolios and forging connections within the broader theater community.
Our program offers emerging theater artists a bridge between their training and the profession of theatre, developing each individual’s skills by working alongside world-class designers, administrators, directors, and other experts. EAs will not only learn a huge number of skills, they will also be key members of our staff and the B&B family.
AS A B&B EMERGING ARTIST YOU WILL…
- Develop marketable skills and create contacts for future employment.
- Work a flexible 20 hour per week schedule.
- Attend weekly 2-hour workshop training experiences.
- Benefit from working directly with our resident staff, in addition to visiting professional artists and specialists brought in specifically to advance your training.
- Receive complimentary tickets to Bag&Baggage shows.
- Receive a $50 per month travel stipend.
EXPERIENCE AREAS
- SOUND
Each Emerging Artist will be responsible for designing sound for one production during the season. Working directly with the Artistic Director and Production Manager, each EA will develop and implement a complete sound design (walk in music, scenic transitions, special sound effects, etc) for the show and will receive a credit as a Sound Designer for that production. Responsibilities include programming cues, assisting with load-in, troubleshooting problems during tech rehearsals, maintenance of audio equipment during the run of productions, and participation in all strikes and changeovers. During production runs, the Sound Designer will maintain the show and ensure sound design implementation by crew.
- PROPERTIES
Each Emerging Artist will be assigned as Props Master/Designer for a mainstage show during the season. The Props Master/Designer will work with the Stage Manager and Director in creating, building, and/or sourcing all props for the show, and will have the opportunity to talk through designer visions and assist in shopping and decorating. Duties may include creating prop lists, attending design meetings, pulling rehearsal props, and research. Additional responsibilities include coordinating props rentals and maintaining inventory. EAs will receive credit as Properties Master/Designer for their assigned production.
- STAGE MANAGEMENT
Each Emerging Artist will work as an Assistant Stage Manager for one mainstage show during the season. Working with B&B’s Stage Manager, Emerging Artist ASMs will begin during the stage manager’s prep week, assist in daily rehearsals, work backstage during shows, and potentially run select shows through closing performances. The ASM will be assigned responsibilities such as tracking props, costumes, or sets, or making script revisions. EAs will receive credit as an Assistant Stage Manager for their assigned show.
- PATRON SERVICES/BOX OFFICE/CONCESSIONS
Each Emerging Artist will receive hands-on experience related to running a box office, engaging in retail sales, and managing concessions. Assisting B&B’s Patron Services Manager in sales, outreach, and database management for one mainstage show during the season, each EA will have the opportunity to serve as Box Officer for that show. Additionally, all EAs will get their OLCC card, and be assigned to act as bar and concessions manager for one additional mainstage show. EAs will also have the opportunity to run box office and concessions (earning tips in addition to an hourly rate) for outside event rentals, as available.
- TECHNICAL DIRECTION
All Emerging Artists will receive workshop training in the various areas of technical theatre. Additionally, one EA will spend the season working as the assistant to B&B’s Technical Director for all mainstage shows. This EA will work as scene shop staff and electrician, helping to construct and install scenic, lighting, and projection elements for productions, gaining hands-on backstage experience in a professional environment. This EAs will work directly under the supervision of B&B’s Technical Director and Production Manager, and will receive credit as Technical Direction Assistant for the 2018-19 season.
- THEATRICAL DESIGN (COSTUME EMPHASIS)
All Emerging Artists will receive workshop training in the various areas of theatrical design. Additionally, one EA will spend the season working as the assistant to B&B’s Resident Costume Designer. This EA will assist in the sourcing and construction of costumes for all mainstage productions in addition to serving as wardrobe crew, maintaining and repairing costumes and wigs during the run of each show. Through collaboration with the Costume Designer, this EA will maintain B&B’s costume shop and learn basic wardrobe management. This EAs will receive credit as the Costume Design Assistant for the 2018-19 season.
- MARKETING & OUTREACH
All Emerging Artists will receive workshop training related to marketing, promotion, and outreach. Additionally, one EA will spend the season working with social media, marketing, education opportunities, and audience outreach for all mainstage productions during the season. Working alongside B&B’s Marketing & Development Assistant, and Associate Artistic Director, this EA will develop marketing campaign calendars, content support for marketing campaigns, and mainstage show study guide materials. Additionally, this EA will learn about creating video content using commonly available video technology, and help coordinate all B&B outreach activities, including pre-show lectures, post-show talk-backs, community events, and workshop opportunities. This EA may also be asked to assist in writing press releases, editing and distributing marketing literature, and interacting with members of the press receiving credit as Marketing and Outreach Assistant for the 2018-19 season.
- ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION
All Emerging Artists will receive detailed workshop training related to development and fundraising (including management of special events, the creation and distribution of fundraising appeals, procurement of auction items, and grant writing), as well as casting, season planning, public relations, board relations and development, donor stewardship, and other duties usually done by Artistic Directors. Additionally, one EA will spend the season working with B&B’s Artistic Director and Managing Director learning the ins and outs of running a theatre company; this EA will be asked to assist with grant writing, fundraising appeals, budget development, and production planning, in addition to special projects overseen by the Managing Director, Artistic Director, and Associate Artistic Director. This EA will receive credit as the Arts Administration Assistant for the 2018-19 season.
- ACTING
All Emerging Artists will receive extensive workshop training related to acting skills, including voice, movement, script analysis, and improvisational skills.Workshops will be provided by a range of acting teachers, including B&B Resident and Associate Artists and guests. All EAs will be invited to participate in B&B Cabaret events, such as poetry readings, rehearsed play readings, or others. The EA cohort will also collaboratively create, rehearse, and perform original work for young audiences at the end of the 2018-19 season.
- PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
All Emerging Artists will receive workshop training with B&B’s Production Manager and Technical Director related to production management skills. Trainings will include how to record, reconcile, and report budgets and expenses, contracting, receiving and processing purchase orders and check request forms, as well as managing production calendars, contact sheets, databases, and policies.
- COMPANY MANAGEMENT
All Emerging Artists will receive workshop training related to company management and administration. EAs will learn from B&B’s Managing Director, Stage Manager, Board of Directors, and guest teachers about the skills necessary to run a non-profit theatre company, including attending to the needs of artists, drafting contracts, corresponding with agents and publishers, arranging complimentary tickets, maintaining production files, developing and tracking budgets, preparing financial documents and reports, and comprehensive experience with administrative tasks.
IDEAL CANDIDATES
B&B is seeking emerging and early career theatre professionals for this Emerging Artist Program. That includes, but is not limited to, undergraduate students preparing to graduate from a theatre program, recent graduates from undergraduate theatre programs, or individuals who are entering or returning to the theatre field after another career. Our ideal candidates have specific training in the theatrical field (either through college or a conservatory program), but are not yet established professionals in the field. We are seeking four EAs per season.