On Friday, August 12th, URTA staff visited the Williamstown Theatre Festival to speak with apprentices and interns about all things graduate school. Communications Director, Tony Hagopian and Education Manager, Rachel Friedman led an honest and open conversation about everything from how to know when graduate training is the right choice, how to research different programs, and of course everything about The URTAs including registration and how to navigate the process.

Williamstown Theatre Festival offers a Professional Training Program for actors, designers, technicians, and administrators. URTA was able to provide answers to some of their pressing questions. One acting apprentice asked if there was anything they could do as a junior in undergrad to prepare for graduate school. “URTA offers a Sneak Peek program for undergraduate acting students which allows them to view the audition process for MFA programs,” answered Friedman. “You will attend a day of The URTAs and sit in on the last hour of auditions. You’ll have the opportunity to talk with faculty recruiters to learn the do’s and don’t of auditioning. You’ll also receive free attendance to the continuing education seminars and workshops, rounding out a valuable experience in personal development”. (Check this article for more information on Sneak Peek)

The visit was one of many conducted this summer by URTA as part of our educational outreach to various summer stock and resident theater companies in and near New York City. If you’d like to arrange an URTA visit at your theater or college, let us know!