Summer FAQs

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WORKSHOP
AND AN INTERNSHIP?
The Summer Workshop is an eight to nine 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 in late August. 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, Costumes, Prop Construction, Scenic/Tech, Sound, Production Management and 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 receive a small stipend of $40 per week.

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 40 hours/week. 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 AND/OR AN INTERNSHIP?
For the workshop use the Summer Workshop Application. For an internship use the Internship Application. If you are applying for both, fill out both applications and pay the application fees for both.

Please do not let the application fees discourage you from applying. You may submit a letter of request which clearly states why the Mime Troupe should grant you an application fee waver. Note, you must be granted permission prior to mailing in your full application. Please understand that the Troupe can only grant permission to a very limited number of applicants. Mail your letters of request by May 1st to the attention of the "Workshop Coordinator" or "Internship Coordinator" at the address listed at the bottom of this web page.

DOES IT COST ANYTHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKSHOP?
There is a non-refundable $25 application fee for each program. Upon acceptance into the workshop, participants will be required to pay a non-refundable $25 materials fee to cover workshop expenses and a deposit fee of $50 which will be returned upon completion of the workshop. The $50 deposit will be returned in full provided: 1) participants don't drop out of the workshop prior to completion. 2) Eight hours of work exchange is completed each week. 3) Attendance is met at the mandatory post mortem which is scheduled on the day directly following the workshop performance. The internship program only carries the application fee.

HOW CAN I PAY THE WORKSHOP MATERIAL FEE AND DEPOSIT?
Once you have been accepted into the workshop, it is important to promptly pay the non-refundable $25 material fee and the $50 deposit in order to secure your spot in the summer workshop program. There are two payment options: 1) you may write a $75 check to the San Francisco Mime Troupe (or SFMT), and mail it to the address listed at the bottom of this page to the attention of the "Workshop Coordinator" 2) upon acceptance you may ask the Workshop Coordinator for a web address which will allow you to pay via PayPal. Please note, there will be a $3 handling fee if you choose to use 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, help us set up and strike our summer shows in Bay Area parks and work in the office.

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/lofts (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. If you need your own personal space or if you don't live well with others - this is not the living situation for you. The residents are required to work all park shows (this means Saturday, Sunday and often Wednesday and Thursday evenings with few exceptions) in exchange for the space. Priority is given to interns, foreigners, and people under financial duress. Upon arrival a $100 cash deposit is required of all residents.

Here is a hostel web-site:
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.

WHAT IS THE MIME TROUPE COLLECTIVE?
The Mime Troupe Collective functions as the Artistic Director for the SFMT. In addition to making decisions regarding policies and upholding the artistic vision of the company, collective members are actors, designers, writers, directors, etc.. The Mime Troupe strives to foster an environment where everyone's ideas can be heard, but it is important for new comers to understand that they will be supporting the existing collective. The only way to join the collective is to be voted in unanimously based on talent, commitment and the politics required. Not everyone who is currently working at the Troupe is a collective member, and not every collective member is currently working at the Troupe. The Troupe also holds interviews and auditions for openings in the company that the collective can't fill themselves. The summer workshop and internship program is a great way to work with the Troupe 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