Artistic and Administrative Apprentice
Are you an aspiring playwright, director, dramaturg, theater arts administrator, or theater artist of any discipline? No matter your particular interest, every apprentice will receive hands-on experience in both theater arts administration and the process of new play development through the Playwrights’ Center’s apprenticeship program.
Overview
Playwrights’ Center invites applications from energetic individuals for our Artistic and Administrative Apprentice positions. Over the course of a year, four apprentices will provide administrative assistance to the Professional Resources and Education Department, as well as serve as the stage manager in approximately 13 new play development workshops. Apprentices gain key insights into nonprofit management, artistic process, and artist support through a variety of ways. Have a specific interest? Playwrights’ Center can usually find specific projects to help advance your career goals.
THEATER BEGINS HERE: Founded in 1971 by five writers seeking artistic and professional support, Playwrights’ Center today serves more playwrights in more ways than any other organization in the country. One of the nation’s most generous and well-respected theater organizations, Playwrights’ Center focuses on both supporting playwrights and promoting new plays to production across the country. The Playwrights’ Center is at an exciting juncture in its history as we continue to support 2500 playwrights locally, nationally, and internationally through dynamic and unique Membership and Fellowship programs. In Fall of 2025 we opened our new home in Saint Paul, MN, where we continue to support playwrights virtually and in person.
What we’re looking for…
- Ability and commitment to working with diverse groups in terms of gender expression, race, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigration status
- Background in theater, stage management, arts administration, or any transferable experience
- Adaptivity to the needs of the creative team and actors in the rehearsal room
- Dependable and collaborative spirit
- Ability to take detailed notes in the rehearsal and educational spaces
- Competency and comfort with copy editing
- Capable of representing PWC in the rehearsal room by holding space for all artists and upholding the Center's culture and values
- Confidence navigating and/or learning technology such as Zoom, WordPress, Asana, Canvas, Google Suite
- Experience with video editing and social media marketing a plus
- Flexibility and willingness to learn with us!
Feel like you don’t have specific theater experience? No worries! We don’t expect one person to have all of these qualifications or skills. Use your cover letter to tell us about your transferable skills and interest in our organization.
What you can expect…
Administrative: Work with our amazing Professional Resources and Education department to provide our members with the most up-to-date information and resources so they can continue to grow their personal playwriting practices. Tasks include updating the website, populating the play submission Opportunities database, observing new play production and development trends, and reading and analyzing scripts for our script feedback programs. Our Administrative team will be thrilled to have you provide some front of house support for events and public open hours, as well as occasional staff rental events with artistic and community partners.
Artistic: Apprentices serve as the stage manager for all workshops and public readings. This hands-on experience with the new play development process includes preparing scripts, making coffee, setting up the room, and creating detailed rehearsal reports. In addition, they support the playwright, creative team, and actors, through discussion, experimentation, and rewrites. These workshops provide an invaluable opportunity to witness and participate in multiple different creative processes with both Twin Cities-based and nationally recognized artists. These workshops can lead to future collaborations and opportunities.
Work Environment
- While some of our work is remote, we are an in-office organization that encourages in-person collaboration and artist support.
- We will be hiring four apprentices for the coming year. This cohort will work together closely and both support and learn from one another.
- Want to learn more about a specific department? Our staff is always willing to chat about what’s happening in the world of nonprofits.
- Conversations with supervisors will be scheduled regularly throughout the year to check in, identify goals, provide feedback, address concerns, and talk about our favorite tv shows.
- Our organization is committed to our mission, vision, and values and it is embedded in the work we do.
Dates
Start Date: August 3, 2026
End Date: August 31, 2027
*Start and end dates are flexible - let us know of any conflicts in your cover letter.
Hours
This is an in-person (no housing) part-time 25 hr/week position. Workshops and administrative work is generally scheduled in the window of Monday through Friday, 9am - 6pm, but there will be some weekend and evening requirements scheduled in advance. The workshop schedules are not consistent, so a very flexible schedule is required. Additionally, one can not be currently enrolled in school during the apprenticeship.
Compensation
$20/hour, paid every two weeks
Access to NICE Healthcare while employed with Playwrights’ Center. NICE Healthcare is not health insurance, but provides access to basic health care needs in the Twin Cities. It’s basically an urgent care or minute clinic where you can meet with providers virtually or in person. Learn more here or email hr@pwcenter.org with questions.
We encourage everyone to read the full job description on our website to learn more about the day-to-day aspects of the role, our organizations, and hear from our past apprentices. https://pwcenter.org/apprenticeship/artistic-and-administrative-apprenticeship/
The application process…
- Let us know who you are! Please send a resume and cover letter to hr@pwcenter.org with subject line APPRENTICE. We encourage you to use your cover letter to tell us what you love about theater, artist support, new plays, how your skills and experience respond to the qualities we’re looking for, and what you hope to gain from the apprenticeship.
Priority deadline is Friday March 13, 2026 at 11:59pm CT. We will still accept and review applications until the position is filled, but we encourage you to apply as soon as possible for the best chance. Please note that meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview.
- Applications will be reviewed by our team and selected candidates will be invited by email for the interview process. Interviews will be conducted by phone and/or Zoom with some of the questions sent in advance.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. While we can’t review or give feedback on applications, we’re happy to answer questions about the process, what we do, what we’re looking for, and ways we might be able to support you. Email hr@pwcenter.org, no phone calls please.
Playwrights’ Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to multiple perspectives in every aspect of our organization and its practice. Because diversity is an asset to a dynamic work environment where inclusion, respect and integrity, service, and innovation are valued, we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Learn more about our mission and values here.