The American theatre is facing a pivotal moment. As traditional education programs grapple with funding challenges and closures, innovative partnerships are emerging to bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice. One such collaboration, “The Next Stage,” between UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts and South Coast Repertory (SCR), offers a promising model for nurturing the next generation of theatre artists.
Launched this year, The Next Stage is a pilot program designed to immerse Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students in a professional theatre environment. Currently running through March 21, the initiative integrates students directly into the production of two repertory shows: Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage. This hands-on experience aims to provide a crucial “on-ramp” for students transitioning from the classroom to the professional world.
The program’s structure is multifaceted, incorporating student involvement in various production roles. Two MFA students are serving as understudies, while others are gaining practical experience as a stage management assistant supporting set changes, a dramaturg, and a sound design assistant for both productions. SCR staff members are visiting the UCI campus to lead undergraduate workshops and classes, fostering a reciprocal exchange of knowledge and expertise. This collaborative approach to theatre training is designed to elevate the experience for all involved.
“We wanted to formalize this framework so that we could create a professional on-ramp experience for students, to bring them out of learning within the classroom and into a professional theatre space,” explained Joel Veenstra, chair of the theatre department at UC Irvine. “It’s kind of like an intense residency program as well as an apprenticeship—a two-way street, where we’re going into the theatre, but then they have members of their community as well coming to UCI to teach, engage, and enhance the experience of our community to elevate this cross-collaborative bridge.”
A Model Rooted in Experience
For David Ivers, artistic director of SCR, the partnership felt like a natural extension of his own training. He drew parallels to his MFA experience at the University of Minnesota, where he collaborated with the Guthrie Theater, as well as experiences at the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Denver Center Theatre Company. “My career as an actor and a director was never separated from the benefits of having brilliant young minds around,” Ivers stated. He emphasized the value of integrating emerging talent into the creative process.
The benefits of The Next Stage extend beyond simply providing students with practical experience. Ivers believes the program is a vital investment in the future of the field. “The real benefit for SCR is that we’re making a commitment to the future of the field. SCR benefits by having direct contact with what’s coming right out of the institution. We also benefit by expanding our workforce…Why wouldn’t we choose to function with students who are just about to be in the profession to both facilitate shape and learn from to figure out what the next iteration of the American theatre is going to be?”
The Student Perspective
Esther Pielstick, an MFA student understudying the role of Honey in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, described the program as a deeply enriching experience. “Learning from people who have been doing this for a long time and who are working professionally makes me so hungry to desire to do this and to be a part of that process…It’s a really powerful feeling, and sometimes you lose that because, in the arts, you can get discouraged, but like this feeling of like, ‘Okay, no, I can do this, and I want to do this—people are doing this, it’s possible,’” Pielstick shared.
Looking ahead, SCR plans to expand student involvement to include five student performers in next season’s repertoire. The program will also incorporate student feedback to refine its structure and introduce a formalized mentorship component. “It’s really exciting that everyone’s wanting to make this a long-term relationship that’s going to be best for the students as we continue in the future,” Pielstick added.
Sustaining the Pipeline
The success of initiatives like The Next Stage is particularly crucial in light of recent challenges facing arts education. A recent report highlights the potential disruption to vital education and training programs due to the Kennedy Center’s transition and upcoming renovations, potentially constricting the pipeline of emerging artists.
As some programs face closure or contraction, partnerships like the one between UC Irvine and SCR offer a beacon of hope. These collaborations demonstrate a commitment to fostering the next generation of theatre professionals and ensuring the continued vitality of the American theatre. The integration of students into professional productions not only provides invaluable experience but also underscores the importance of representation and career pathways within the arts.
What comes next for The Next Stage will depend on the continued collaboration between UCI and SCR, and the feedback gathered from participating students. The program’s long-term success could serve as a model for other institutions seeking to strengthen the connection between academic training and professional theatre practice.
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