Bread and Puppet: Cheap Art and Political Theater in Vermont

2012 Summer Apprenticeship Programs

The deadline to apply  is April 2nd 2012.

The Bread and Puppet Theater is accepting applications for the 2012 summer apprentice programs to provide students, truck drivers, housewives, farmers, musicians, activists, anyone, with an opportunity to actively participate in Bread & Puppet style show making. Bread & Puppet Theater, one of the oldest non-commercial, self-supporting theaters in the country, has created politically and socially aware shows with commitment to community participants since 1963. At present, our shows are antiwar, anti-Capitalism, anti-Globalization and pro-Vermont independence. The apprenticeship programs are either an intensive four-week long or two-week long communal living and working experience with an eclectic group of 40-60 people on our farm in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

Please note that the focus of the apprenticeship program is specific to the shows being made and not a particular syllabus: WE ARE NOT A SCHOOL, and WE DO NOT CONDUCT CLASSES in different styles of puppetry and puppet building. Also, we are not a summer camp for adults: apprentices need to be self-motivated. Learning is accomplished by engaging in different aspects of Bread and Puppet show production, which may include movement and dance experimentation, mask and puppet manipulation, vocal and instrumental music or organized noise making, printmaking, singing, papier mache, puppet making and stilt dancing. The materials (newspaper articles, poems, etc.), talents, musical instruments and interests that apprentices bring can be important part of our show creating process.

Apprentices help to create our weekly Sunday program (outdoor circus, pageant and sideshows) and participate in our indoor Friday evening shows (The Lubberland National Dance Company). We also perform in many local parades, and some political demonstrations. A part of the apprenticeships is participation in agricultural chores as well as everyday tasks (such as cooking, cleaning, firewood stacking, recycling, trips to the garbage dump, etc). We use outhouses, conserve water, compost leftovers and generally try to be thrifty. Accommodations are very simple, even rugged, and most apprentices live in tents. Apprentices must be 18 or older. Dogs, drugs, and underage drinking are not permitted.

This year we are holding three apprenticeship programs. The first program is just over four weeks long, focusing on building and inventing the summer circus, pageant and dance shows. The program is June 29th – July 30th. There is a fee of $800 for this apprenticeship.

The second program is  2 weeks long and is designed to maintain the momentum of the Bread and Puppet summer season. Apprentices will learn, perform, and continue the development of existing shows. The program is July 31st- August 13th. There is a fee of $400 for this apprenticeship.

The third program is 4 weeks long.  This program starts the same day as the 2nd program, July 31st, and countinues through August 27th. This program is designed to maintain the momentum of the Bread and Puppet shows through the end of the season. Apprentices will learn, perform, and continue the development of existing shows. There is a fee of $800 for this apprenticeship.

The fees include organic and garden-grown food. The money also pays the salaries of our summer staff, and necessary bills like electricity, gas, insurance, etc. We can accept a small number of people at a reduced fee, so if you are unable to pay the full fee please apply early. These reduced fees are generally reserved for folks coming from abroad and/or those with limited financial means.

TO APPLY:
Send a letter of interest (please no e-mail ) that includes your background, current phone number, email address, and mailing address. In the first sentence please tell us your age and which session you would like to attend (first, second or third). Please explain your familiarity with and interest in Bread and Puppet. Theater or Art training is not required. Please let us know if you play an instrument. If you are accepted, a nonrefundable $200 deposit is due May 1st, 2012. The remainder of the fee is payable upon arrival. Acceptance is rolling and limited (35 for the first apprenticeship, 15 for the second apprenticeship , and 10 for the third apprenticeship), so write as early as possible to guarantee a spot. Some decisions won’t go out until as late as mid-April, so please be patient.

If you have any questions call us at (802) 525-3031
Or e-mail: puppetsecretary@yahoo.com

Mail letter to:
Bread and Puppet Theater, Apprenticeship Program,
753 Heights Rd.
Glover, VT
05839