Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 08:50:49 -0700
From: "Steven" <steven-AT-pennypretzelplayhouse.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Cc: 
Subject: [Puptcrit] Interns


 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4     Here are my thoughts and experiencesTake them as you will
I was very fortunate as a young actor to be an apprentice at Actors Theater of Louisville. I worked for 9 months without any pay. In fact I had to give them $25 as a guarantee that I would show up. Most weeks we worked 6 days a week often from 9 in the morning to 11 at night. When shows turned around we lost our day off and often worked form Sunday night till Tuesday to get the new show up.    I built set and props, mopped stages and bathrooms, ran lines with members of the acting company, got coffee for anyone who needed it. Anything that was asked I or any member of the apprentice company did.    What did I get in return? We had master classes with some of the best actors anywhere. I got to watch professionals night after night perform. I learned more about theater in that year then in my 4 years of college at a very good program. I got to sit in the theater bar at night and discuss every aspect of acting and surviving in the business. I got to perform on stage the main company. The apprentices staged a night of scenes after a main stage show that the audience was invited to stay and watch and most of the resident actors stayed to watch. The feedback was honest and helpful.    All these years later I still feel that I got the better part of the deal.   To answer the idea that apprenticeships are for children of the wealthy, don't believe it. I was broke the whole year. For a while I lived in a house that had been foreclosed on without heat or lights. I lived on my savings and I was not the only one. We did it because it was the best way to learn about theater and our craft.   Times are different and it was easier to survive on a few dollars 30 years ago. Then as now if you want something badly enough you will find a way to make it work.   Too many of our young students feel entitled. They expect to be paid the same rate as someone with years of experience.  The idea that you need to pay your dues is almost lost, and look at the consequences. We value money over experience. Too many feel entitled to express an opinion before they have listened to others and have all the facts. Yes, this goes beyond the original post but as I followed the discussion I realized that we are a reflection of the world at large.   No one should be taken advantage of, we should treat each other fairly, I know this does not always happen. I share what I know with others because I believe that the better puppetry is anywhere the better it is everywhere. 

Steven M. Hollow
Director 
Penny Pretzel Playhouse
5 Mead Street
South Ornage, NJ 07079
								

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