Summer Technical Theater Workshop -

Introducing…

Summer Technical Theater Workshop

Each summer, we hold our celebrated professional-level theater training program, our Summer Musical Theater Intensive, for students ages 12-18! Over the course of 5 weeks, students rehearse and perform a musical at the Barrette Center for the Arts, fully supported by a professional creative and design team from around the country. This program extends the professionalism of our main stage to our young actors, giving them the opportunity to collaborate with industry veterans on an adventurous, joyful and exceptional theatrical experience.

This year, for the first time ever, we are extending our traditional summer program to include options for those students interested in the technical elements of theater. With direct supervision from our attentive staff, students ages 16-18 will gain hands-on experience and learn what it means to work behind the scenes for a live musical.

Each student will work in one production department for 6 weeks, receiving training and working on the build, load in, and production of our SMTI musical. This program comes with direct mentorship and an opportunity to learn about the behind the scenes process from show prep all the way through running an offstage track during the production.

ANNOUNCING THE 2026 SMTI & STTW PRODUCTION…

The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical that launched the Golden Age of Broadway comes to Northern Stage! Set in the Oklahoma Territory in 1906, Oklahoma! explores the conflict and opportunity that arose as the country expanded west. A revolution for the artform, the show reflected political and social changes in a way no other musical had dared to before . Laurey’s journey of independence and agency immortalized by the iconic “Dream Ballet,” solidifies the show as a beacon of change, not only for musical theater, but for the country as a whole.

2026 STTW Details

PROGRAM DETAILS

Age:16-19, cap of 1 student per available production discipline.
Program Dates:
– Costumes, Lighting, Scenic, and Props focus calendar HERE
– Stage Management focus calendar HERE*
*Because Stage Management needs to work so closely with the rehearsal process, the calendar for this focus differs from the other technical departments.

Program Cost: $1,250
Non-refundable Deposit of $150 due after acceptance into the program
Financial Assistance: Tuition Assistance & Scholarships are available, please read more HERE.
For more information, please contact Co-Director of Education, Sam Empey at sempey@northernstage.org.

Available Departments: Costumes and Wardrobe, supervised by Lexi Spanier; Scenic and Painting, supervised by Joshua Steckelberg; Lighting, supervised by Jason Monmaney; Props, supervised by Shannon Rossi; Stage Management, supervised by Elizabeth Sarsfield

APPLICATION DETAILS
Please read the following information carefully for the audition process for the 2026 Summer Technical Theater Workshop.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, after which an interview will be set up.

Please find the application form HERE.
If you have photos or documentation of relevant work and experience that you would like to share, please include it with your application.

In addition to the application form, a waiver acknowledging the use of tools and equipment associated with the program is available HERE. To be considered, this must be filled out completely and signed by the participant and (if under 18) a parent or guardian.

NEXT STEPS AFTER INTERVIEWS
After your interview, you will hear from Northern Stage with one of two results: WAITLIST or YES.

WAITLIST: You have not been accepted into the program at this time. You will be added to the waitlist and contacted if space becomes available.
YES: You have been accepted into the program.

If you are accepted into the program from the initial interview, you will be notified to register and reserve your spot with a non-refundable $150 deposit, without which the spot will be offered to the next student in line on the waitlist.

Full tuition must be paid by June 1. Please make sure you are committed to the program, regardless of role, before paying tuition, as Northern Stage does not offer refunds. To register, call the Northern Stage Box Office at (802) 296-7000.