Apprentice-Interns

 
 

Every theatre will agree that it is not just the people who appear on stage that make a successful organization or production.  In all probability, the actors appearing on the stage will admit their dependence upon the host of people who work in many areas behind the scenes.  Many of these backstage people are professionals in the areas of lighting, costuming, set design and the like.  And, in many cases these back-sage spots are filled by young people, usually referred to as interns, who apprentice themselves to a theatre for the purpose of developing their craft through this behind-the-scenes work.  Some of these interns are budding actors who could be assigned small roles in a production in addition to their many hours of backstage work.

Early in its history, Wayside’s interns are mentioned in an un-identified clipping found in the 1968 scrapbook that speaks of the eight newcomers who will enter the world of show business through the door of hard work and long hours.  The ages for these eight ranged from 15 to 22 and they hailed from a variety of locations:  Middletown, Winchester, Elkton, WV, with one who had been connected with the Garrick Players in DC.  “Living quarters and meals are provided near the theatre under the supervision of the theatre management and the management of the Wayside Inn.  There is no charge for tuition for this program” (Clipping:  1964 Scrapbook).

A few years later, Artistic Director, Lou Furman, tells a bit about the 1977 Apprentice program:

Wayside lists among its production staff eight apprentices ranging in age from
18 to 22 years old.  Mostly college students, these young people work at the
theatre for the summer season to gain experience, and receive no salary. Their responsibilities include theatre maintenance, ushering, set and costume construction
in addition to backstage assignments for actual performances of the season’s six
shows.

Furman calls Wayside’s apprentice program “a complete experience as it fills the gap between academic and professional theatre, providing well rounded on-the-job training (“ ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ Coming to Wayside.”  WES. 29 June 1977).

While depending heavily on young interns, the Theatre’s records do not give any information as to how these people were recruited and/or trained other than the few articles dealing with their responsibilities found in the local press.  A clue as to what to expect from being a summer intern is found in an information packet that contained a letter dated May 5, 1983 from Artistic Director, Ed Steele.  This packet was sent to all interns prior to their arrival in Middletown.  Listed are their duties, the date they should report, rules to follow, names and locations of restaurants and grocery stores, the name of a bank, and the address of the theatre.  There is also a reminder that all interns are required to have an up-to-date tetanus shot.  If the intern were traveling to Middletown by Greyhound bus, they were instructed to tell the driver to let them off at the Theatre, as Middletown was a flag stop with no regular station in the town.  

In addition, there is a list of essential items each intern should bring:

  • Set of Blacks (trousers or leotards and shirt).

  • Your own hand tools.

  • Hard soled shoes (for technicians and all others working in the scene shop. 
    No sneakers or thongs are allowed in this area.

  • A set of spiffy clothes (this excludes jeans).

  • Pillow, bed linens, towels, blankets (it can get chilly).

  • Fan (it gets hot, too.)       

    (Stern, Jeff. Interview. 7 Feb. 2011).

Over the years, the names of the interns appear in various ways in the season’s playbills.  Sometimes their name begins with a sentence or two about the college they attend, their hometown, or some information regarding their theatre training or background.  Occasionally, there will be a photograph of this group.  For other years,  there is no mention of them at all.  Whether the interns were credited or not, it goes without saying that the Theatre depended heavily on these talented, dedicated people to assist with all the work required to mount a successful production.    

Unfortunately, the AllAboutWayside document, when listing the names of the cast, does not always indicate if the actor were an intern.