Summer FAQs

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WORKSHOP
AND AN INTERNSHIP?
The Summer Workshop is an 10 week workshop in the acting and writing style of our company offered to 20 individuals from around the world. The Workshop starts the last week of June and ends Labor Day. This is a 16 hour/week commitment; 8 hours in class, and 8 hours in the trenches postering, setting up our stage and striking it.

Our summer internships are in conjunction with our summer production period. Typical Internships are in Stage Management, Costume Construction, Prop Construction, Set and Scenic Design, Stage Construction, Production Management and Arts Administration. These internships are offered based on our need for help in any particular area. Internships start as early as May and end when that aspect of the project is over.

DO THE INTERNS GET PAID?
Interns with heavy responsibilities and large time commitments may receive a small stipend.

CAN I DO BOTH THE WORKSHOP AND AN INTERNSHIP?
Yes. Keep in mind that the workshop is a 16 hour/week commitment (classes and work exchange) and an internship is typically 20 hours/week (this depends on what you and your mentor decide is best.) So, if you do both, you are committing a lot of time to the Troupe. This is not a bad thing. Summer with us is a lot of fun. A lot of work and a lot of fun.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE WORKSHOP OR AN INTERNSHIP?
For the workshop use the Summer Workshop Application on the web site. For an internship use the Internship Application on the web site. If you are applying for both, fill out both and pay the fees for both ($25, $26 if paying by PayPal).

CAN I BANK MY WORKSHOP HOURS?
We are flexible on an individual basis, but the basic answer to this question is NO. Expect to work eight hours a week in exchange for the classes.

WHAT WORK IS REQUIRED IN THE WORK EXCHANGE?
You will be required to poster and flyer in advance of shows. You will also be required to sign up for shifts to help us set up and strike our summer shows in Bay Area park shows.

CAN I OFFER OTHER SERVICES IN EXCHANGE FOR THE WORKSHOP?
We are flexible on an individual basis, but the basic answer to this question is NO. We absolutely need this labor force to survive the summer. We appreciate your other skills and please feel free to volunteer them, but the reason this workshop is free is the work exchange as described.

CAN I MISS A WORKSHOP OR WEEK OF WORK?
NO. The workshop is only two days a week, four hours each day. Design your life around it. We only want people who can be committed. If you are determined to join the workshop, but know ahead of time that you must miss a day, then call and plead your case. Otherwise if you miss a class or a work shift without adequate communication, you will be asked to leave the workshop.

DO YOU PROVIDE HOUSING?
We have what are essentially cubby holes (enough room for a mattress) for six people. This is a very primitive, communal living situation. There are a lot of restrictions placed on the residents due to the fact that the cubbies/lofts are in the rehearsal space proper which is below our offices. This means that residents have office business above them during the day and work projects or rehearsals in the studio in the evening. The residents are required to work all park shows (this means Saturday, Sunday and sometimes Wednesday and Thursday evenings with few exceptions) in exchange for the space. Getting a place on your own is your best bet for comfort and convenience, but if you find you can't find anything, give us a call or e-mail us and let us know. Priority is given to interns, foreigners, and people under financial duress.

Here is a hostel web-site:
http://www.norcalhostels.org/

Craigslist has also been a good resource for some people to find rooms for cheap

CAN I GET COLLEGE CREDIT?
That is up to your institution. We will provide all the necessary letters, evaluations and information that would make it easy for you.

THE MIME TROUPE IS A COLLECTIVE?
The Mime Troupe is made up of people who are paid staff (either full time or part time) and people who are members of the collective. The collective functions as the Artistic Director of the company. There are currently eleven members of the collective who make decisions about the policies and art of the SFMT. When someone first comes to the Troupe they are not a member of the collective. While the Mime Troupe tries to foster an environment where everyone can be heard, the only institutional collectivity is within the eleven people who make up our "Artistic Director" collective.

HOW CAN I JOIN THE COLLECTIVE?
The only way the collective expands is when we invite someone in who has the talent, commitment and politics we require. We also hold interviews and auditions for openings in our company that the collective can't fill. Our summer workshop and internship program is a way to get to know new people and often results in long lasting relationships.

DO YOU OFFER WORKSHOPS AT OTHER TIMES?
Beyond the summer workshop we respond to inquiries from institutions who want to hire us for workshops. See the residency activities listed on the workshop page.

855 Treat Ave. - San Francisco, CA 94110 - 415-285-1717 - info@sfmt.org