Theatre isn’t just what you see onstage. There’s a whole other world behind it filled with many different career paths backstage.
Having partnered with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E), Roundabout Theatre Company has delivered an alternative to training behind-the-scenes theatre technicians.
Established in 2016, this program has transformed the landscape of technical theatre training. Our participants work hands-on in four disciplines while training with some of the industry’s top working professionals.
YEAR ONE – TRAINING YEAR
Based at Roundabout, Tech Fellows train in the technical theatre disciplines of scenic-carpentry, lighting, sound, and wardrobe. Fellows observe Roundabout's theatre professionals backstage in Broadway and off-Broadway theatres. Each Fellow is matched with an Alumni of the program and an I.A.T.S.E. member for mentorships that will continue throughout all three years of the program. Tech Fellows work approximately 25–29 hours a week with a fluctuating schedule.
YEAR TWO – JOB DEVELOPMENT YEAR
Training continues as Fellows become paid entry-level technicians. Fellows freelance at theatres across New York City, including our employment partners theatres which include, Abrons Arts Center, Atlantic Theater Company, audible difference inc., New Victory Theater, Playwright Horizons, The Public Theater, and more. Fellows also attend the United States Institute of Theatrical Technology (USITT) Conference in March.
YEAR THREE – FREELANCE YEAR
Fellows enter full time into the technical theatre workforce as independent working professionals with the guidance and support of the Roundabout staff, their Alumni and I.A.T.S.E. mentors.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
There is no fee for this program. In fact, each Fellow is paid an hourly wage of $16.50/an hour during the first year. During the second year, Fellows are employed by one of our employment partners. In the final year, the Fellow will transition into the workforce full time.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
The Theatrical Workforce Development Program: Tech is best suited for participants ages 18–24, and applicants must be current NYC residents with a high school diploma or equivalent. They should also be legally eligible to work in the U.S. Additional requirements include an ability to: Lift up to 50 lbs.; work in dark spaces with loud noises; stand for up to two hours at a time; be comfortable traveling throughout the 5 boroughs. People of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Technical theatre professionals are in high demand. The technical theatre skill sets our participants learn are transferable—a wealth of career opportunities exists in film, television, sports, events, and music. The possibilities are endless.
Recruitment for Cohort 9 begins in March 2026.
To receive information as it becomes available,
Theatres and Live Entertainment Venues Seeking to Partner
To learn more about how your theatre company can partner with Roundabout for training, over hire, or employment opportunities with the TWDP Fellows, please contact twdp@roundabouttheatre.org or call 212.719.9393, ext. 8179.
THE DOOR PARTNERSHIP
The Door is an unparalleled model for youth development, offering a comprehensive range of integrated services to 11,000 New York City youth annually across our four New York City locations, including our lower Manhattan and South Bronx youth centers and two supportive housing sites on the Lower East Side. The Door’s on-site charter high school, Broome Street Academy (BSA), has 330 students and prioritizes applicants who are experiencing housing instability or have been involved in the child welfare system. Learn more at www.door.org.
MORE INFORMATION
If you have questions about the program, please contact twdp@roundabouttheatre.org or call 212.719.9393, ext. 8179.
For arts administration opportunities, visit our TWDP Admin program.
TWDP IN THE NEWS
Roundabout’s Theatrical Workforce Development Program is made possible through the generosity of Denise Littlefield Sobel, the Altman Foundation, Capital One, and Con Edison.
The Technical Fellowship receives additional support from the Pinkerton Foundation, the Solon E. Summerfield Foundation, M&T Bank, NYC’s Human Resources Administration and Center for Economic Opportunity’s joint support through the Work Progress Program, the New York State Department of Labor with the support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Major funding to establish the Technical Fellowship’s Made in New York Stagecraft Bootcamp is provided by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and NYC Department of Small Business Services.
We are grateful to those who contribute major support to Education at Roundabout’s many programs: The Bok Family Foundation—Roxanne and Scott L. Bok Trustees, Capital One, Lisa and Dick Cashin, Kate Davis, Samantha Rudin Earls and David Earls, Michael Fisch, Freedom Together Foundation, Gray Foundation, Jeanne and Tom Hagerty, HedgeServ Corporation, Jeannette and Grant Hobson, The Kaplen Brothers Fund, the Kors Le Pere Foundation, Jill and Barry Lafer, William P. Lauder, Gess and Pamela LeBlanc, The Julia C. Levy Education Fund, David and Anita Massengill, the Mustang Foundation, James L. Nederlander | Nick Scandalios, Katheryn Patterson and Tom Kempner, The May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, The Rudin Foundation, Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation, Beryl Snyder, Jennifer and Owen Thomas, Tiger Baron Foundation, Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, Diane and Tom Tuft, Cynthia C. Wainwright and Stephen Berger, Johannes and Regis Worsoe, Emmy Zuckerman and Ed Bonfield.
TWDP is made possible by the Champions for Inclusive Theatre and Roundabout’s Forward Fund. We acknowledge the generous friends who support our many efforts to increase representation and inclusion in all aspects of theatre: Elizabeth Armstrong, Kevin Brown, Barbara and Peter Bye, Ford Foundation, Gina Maria Leonetti, Beryl Snyder, Denise Littlefield Sobel, and Liz and Ken Whitney.