Walnut Street Theatre's Professional Apprentice Program provides a training ground for early career professionals to bridge the gap between education and the professional world. It provides hands-on experience working alongside professionals in a specific, concentrated area. The program is designed to provide a season of intensive education and work experience in one of several aspects of theatre operation.
*Housing is not provided.
Because of my apprenticeship at the Walnut, I was able to find a position in my field of interest quickly and I am so thankful to have gone through the Apprenticeship program.
4 Positions, September 2025 - May 2026
The Acting Apprentices serve as the Walnut Street Theatre’s Touring Outreaching Company, performing a four-show repertoire and bringing hundreds of short educational shows to schools in the Greater Philadelphia area. Acting Apprentices occasionally engage in teaching artist work and are cast in 1-2 mainstage WST for Kids Series shows. Acting Apprentices will audition for EMC understudy opportunities for two WST mainstage productions. Should you be invited to audition, auditions will take place on May 5 from 12-6pm. In-person attendance is mandatory if you wish to be considered.Position 1: April 2025 – March 2026
Position 2: June 2025 – April 2026
Apprentices work with the Technical Director, Assistant Technical Director and IATSE carpenters to build various shows in our scene shop, which is located off-premises in North East Philadelphia. Some of the tasks for the carpentry apprentices include woodworking, welding (steel & aluminum), mechanical implementation, and theatrical rigging.
2 positions
Apprentices assist the Costume Shop Manager in building and altering costumes for five mainstage shows (typically three musicals and two straight plays), various mainstage children's productions, and the Education Outreach series. Apprentices may have design opportunities, will act as the wardrobe crew for some shows, and work some nights and weekends.
1 position, August 2025 - May 2026
The Development Apprentice learns about all aspects of fundraising, charitable giving and event planning for a major non-profit theatre. This apprentice will work closely with individual donors, have the opportunity to write foundation grants and final reports, interact with sponsors and the community, as well as plan special events throughout the season. This is a very hands-on opportunity to develop many transferrable skills and be a significant part of a fundraising team committed to continuing the legacy and growth of the Walnut’s programs.
1 position, June 2025 - May 2026
The Education Apprentice will directly participate in the planning and maintaining of various educational programs, including: being a primary teaching artist in our award winning Adopt-a-School program; creating curriculum based theatre lessons to enhance student learning and spending 2 days per week teaching in a Philadelphia K-8 school, participating as a teaching artist in our Disney Musicals in Schools program, the researching, writing and designing of study guides, assisting administratively in the coordination of Residency, The Theatre School, Camp Walnut and the Touring Outreach Company, and participating in workshops and residencies at local schools. This role works some nights and weekends.1 position, August 2025 - May 2026
The Marketing Apprentice works closely with the Director of Marketing and Marketing Assistant on: managing and processing all group sales orders for the theatre; proofreading; assisting with displays; and handling correspondence, mailings and other general office duties.1 position, August 2025 - May 2026
The Production Management apprentice will assist the Director of Production and Assistant Production Manager with various office tasks including maintaining budgets, payroll, sourcing, purchasing, and archives. Ideal candidate will be self-motivated, eager to learn from theatre professionals, and comfortable working on a team in an office environment. Flexibility, a sense of humor, and experience with lighting and sound is helpful. Position holds some night and weekend hours.1 position, May 2025 - March 2026
Apprentice works alongside the Props Manager with the props team in the Walnut Street Theatre's busy prop shop, which is located off-premises in North East Philadelphia. Apprentice assists with payroll, purchasing, managing budgets, rentals, shipping/receiving, and other various office duties. Apprentice will also assist in shopping for and building props for all WST shows, as skill level dictates. Apprentice will assist the Props Manager during tech (delivering props, taking notes, etc.), and will work some nights and weekends.
2 positions
Apprentices work with the IATSE crew and Props Manager to shop and build all mainstage shows, children’s shows, and the Education Outreach series in Walnut Street Theatre's shop, which is located off-premises in North East Philadelphia. Properties Apprentices also assist in managing prop rentals, maintaining the prop shop, and delivery/load-in of props to the theatre. Props apprentices will be called upon to assist Props Manager in tech, and will be expected to work some nights and weekends. Ideal candidates would show flexibility, be comfortable working in a team environment, and be eager to learn from theatre professionals. Apprentices may have design opportunities.
Position 1: May 2025 – March 2026
Position 2: June 2025 – March 2026
Apprentices assist the Scenic Charge and union paint crew in painting all shows for the various productions created by the Walnut Street Theatre in our scene shop, which is located off premises in North East Philadelphia. Apprentices may have design opportunities. Apprentices could be called upon to work some nights and weekends.
1 position, September 2025 - May 2026
Apprentice acts as a member of the run crew for some mainstage performances, assists in the load-in and load-out of all shows, and works alongside our house IATSE crew in all disciplines. Additionally, apprentice will work at WST’s scene shop between mainstage crew assignments. Apprentice will work a regular show schedule (8-9 shows/week), including nights and weekends, as well as extended hours during load-in, tech, and strike.September 2025 - May 2026
The Stage Management Apprentice will assist AEA stage managers in pre-production, rehearsal and performances of all five mainstage productions consisting of large-scale musicals and straight plays. Duties include: maintaining rehearsal and show paperwork, understudy rehearsals, training and working with a crew of IATSE stagehands through tech and the run of the shows. Night and weekend hours are required.1 position, May 2025 - April 2026
Apprentice works closely with the Technical Director and ATD to manage Walnut Street Theatre’s professional scene shop. The Apprentice assists with all aspects of day to day operations of a large theatrical scene shop including, but not limited to: purchasing, payroll, budgeting. Apprentice will also have opportunities in drafting, operation of a CNC machine, large scale printing, vinyl cutter, etc. Ideal candidate will be comfortable working on a team in a shop/office environment.1 position
Walnut Street Theatre’s Ticketing Services department is responsible for ticket sales, distribution, and fulfillment for its annual patronage of well over one hundred thousand theatregoers. This Apprentice will work closely with the Ticketing Services Manager, focusing on growing their skills in team leadership, customer service, database management, and data analysis, with additional responsibilities as needed and additional opportunities as desired. The Ticketing Services Apprentice will work in a fast-paced, friendly, and organized atmosphere and will get to see all Walnut productions for free.
1 position, September 2025 - May 2026
The Wigs/Wardrobe Apprentice will work alongside wig and make-up designers, the costume shop manager, and the wardrobe crew in maintaining and dressing the costumes and wigs for our five mainstage productions. Qualified candidate will have prior experience on a wardrobe crew and experience in wig styling and maintenance. Theatrical make-up skills a plus. Candidate should be self-motivated and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Position requires night time and weekend hours as well as the ability to climb several flights of stairs.For answers to questions about the Professional Apprentice Program at Walnut Street Theatre call 215.574.3550 ext. 510 or email us.
