Technical Apprentice: September 11, 2007 - May, 2008

The WYO Theater, a professional road house, is pleased to include a technical apprentice on its staff. This is a paid seasonal position open to anyone interested in pursuing a career in some aspect of technical theater, sound reinforcement, or other technical support for the performing arts.

The apprentice assists the Technical Director/Facilities Manager in all aspects of theater operation (running and upkeep) of the theater. Opportunities include, but are not limited to: show prep, light hangs, laying Marley floor, load-in, show call (running lights, sound, spot, fly rail, deck hand,) load-out, equipment maintenance, general maintenance, and changing the marquee. Some design opportunities and/or over-hire work may be available.

Please direct inquiries and questions to:
Pam Thompson, TD
tech@wyotheater.com

The Fine Print:

This is an entry level position. Initially there is a great deal of 'shadowing', tool fetching, and gophering. Hours can be irregular. As a road house (opposed to a production house or producing company) 'hurry-up and wait' is a key concept; availability and alertness needs to be maintained during the waiting. Possessing good communications skills does not mean being able to text your friends at a high rate of speed. Our lawyer, who is also on the board, would like to mention that Wyoming is a 'right to work' state. Relevant platitudes: You get out what you put in. There is no excuse for rudeness. Just good enough, isn't.

Words from past Apprentices:

I was the Technical Apprentice at the WYO Theater for the '04-05 season and I enjoyed it so much that I came back for the '06 summer season. I really like the WYO because the staff here is great. The staff is knowledgeable and they are great people. The WYO is a small theater, so I received a more personal and intimate experience. Anyone looking to gain some real world theater experience would definitely benefit from the apprenticeship at the WYO.

The WYO is so varied in the events it brings in that the apprentice receives a wide scope of experience. I worked on things from rock concerts to children's plays and from classical music concerts to the Miss Wyoming pageant. As the apprentice, I learned a lot from working at the WYO. I learned a great deal about sound systems and equipment. I also learned a lot about lighting systems. The WYO is one of the few venues left with a true hemp fly system as opposed to a counterweight system. As the apprentice I helped to hang and focus the lighting, set up the sound systems, load and unload set pieces and equipment, and even run the shows.

Not only do I really like the theater, I love the town of Sheridan, WY as well. It is a very sweet little town with a beautiful historic downtown area surrounded by a gorgeous landscape right at the foothills of the mountains. All in all, my experience at the WYO has been an exciting and fulfilling time for me.
--Dani Crawford, 2004-2005, Summer 2006

I'm from Massachusetts and I had never been farther west than Pennsylvania. So, when I saw a job opening in Wyoming I decided to try for it. Two weeks later, I arrived here to find one of the cuter towns I had ever been to. The WYO Theater has been an experience. I've gotten to work in all of the aspects of theatre from running the light or sound board, working backstage, loading in and out, hanging lights, setting up microphones, and doing whatever it is that needs to be done. The people both at the theater and around town are wonderful friendly people and I have enjoyed my time here.
--Gabi Chestna, 2005-2006