Core Company
developing tomorrow's innovators
CORE COMPANY APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15th!
What is Core Company?
Core Company at the Orchard Project is a summer apprenticeship designed for aspiring and emerging theatre artists who have one simple goal: to create bold new work for the stage. Over five weeks of intense study and practical work with accomplished theatre professionals, Core Company members strengthen their performance skills, sharpen their critical minds, and gain real world experience that will help launch them into careers in theatre. Combining the rigor of a summer intensive with the idyllic conditions of an artists’ retreat, Core Company at the Orchard Project allows its participants to probe deeply into the creative process and discover for themselves what it means to “devise” theatre today. The Orchard Project serves as a master teacher to the members of Core Company, who assist the world’s most cutting edge theater artists, both behind the scenes and on stage, as they realize their latest ideas. In exchange, the resident artists serve as mentors for Core Company projects, bringing a level of insight and expertise to the development process that can only be found in the best professional workshop environments. Outside of the studio, the professional interactions continue, as Core Company members live and eat with all of the resident artists who pass through.
The Core Company experience is individually tailored to each member of the ensemble. Immediately upon acceptance to the program, participants enter into an ongoing dialogue with their instructors to identify their artistic needs and goals. After targeting those areas for five weeks, Core Company members leave with a keen awareness of their creative selves and life-long access to a community that will help them to realize their ambitions.
Intensive Study Led by the Orchard Project staff and resident artists, Core members participate in various workshops and master classes focused on developing strong bodies and adept creative minds. Emphasis is placed on understanding the major currents and techniques in contemporary theatre and finding effective methods of generating work from scratch.
Group Projects Core Company is afforded all the time and space of a professional theatre company in order to develop their own original theatre pieces. Weekly showings of works-in-progress give small groups the opportunity to experiment with different modes of collaboration. The program culminates in a public workshop presentation that requires the entire ensemble to begin to build a piece from the ground up.
Individual Projects Assignments in writing, performance and professional development are doled out according to the needs of each ensemble member. Core members are also asked to take on a variety of different leadership roles within the Orchard Project.
Apprenticing Each company member will have multiple opportunities to apprentice with the Orchard Project’s visiting artists and theatre companies. Apprentices take stock of their experiences with the professional companies through journaling and company meetings. In addition to their company assignments, Core members also work closely with the Orchard Project staff to help keep the whole show running smoothly.
2010 Dates: May 31-July 3
Cost: $4,500
Financial Aid: We are able to offer limited financial aid. This process begins once an application is filed.
WANT TO APPLY? FIRST, REGISTER ON EXCHANGENYC.ORG (it's free) and
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And if you have any questions, email us at core@exchangenyc.org
