Conservatory Company

An Educational Program with Professional Expectations

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Conservatory Company is a performance-based training program for committed, early career actors who have a passion for Shakespeare, and want to develop the skills necessary to create innovative, collaborative theater in extraordinary spaces. It’s an artistic home to train and take risks.

Working alongside our nationally recognized acting company on and off stage, the 6 to 8 actors we invite into the program each season are offered an unmatched opportunity to transition from students to professionals. Our specialty is practical experience that provides our alumnae with a competitive edge.

Program Description

This immersive programs begins in April 2020 in New York City. There will be combined rehearsal for two plays: Shakespeare’s Richard III and Goldoni’s The Venetian Twins (read the 2020 Season Announcement for more information) with daily physical, vocal and imaginative exploration of Shakespeare’s text, as well as commedia and clown technique. In May, the company moves to Garrison, NY, where Conservatory Company members understudy and perform supporting roles on HVSF’s main stage under the theater tent. In July, Conservatory Company members then return to a local hall in Cold Spring, NY to rehearse the third and final production of the season, Love’s Labor’s Lost.

HVSF is passionate about training, and believes it should be affordable. There is no fee to apply and, if invited into the program, a weekly stipend is provided to each Conservatory Company member.

The HVSF Conservatory Company is an educational program with professional expectations. It requires young artists who are eager to learn, motivated to work, and dedicated fully to the art.

Please Note: Conservatory Company members will be playing LEAD ROLES in a very musical Love’s Labor’s Lost. Therefore, this season we are looking for excellent and versatile singers and musicians (rock, pop, musical) of all vocal ranges who are good movers. Actors who play one or more instruments will be given priority.

See HVSF EPA notice for list of roles in season being filled by Equity actors. Many speaking roles will be covered by non-Equity Conservatory Company.

Submissions must be postmarked by December 31st, 2019. Submissions will be reviewed and preliminary auditions scheduled with Associate Artistic Director Sean McNall in New York City for the week of January 27th, 2020. Dedicated callback appointments will be scheduled in New York City with Artistic Director Davis McCallum. Director Amanda Denhert and Sean McNall the week of February 3, 2020. Auditions are available by invitation only.

HVSF will contact you by January 18th, 2020 if they wish to invite you to audition. Due to the volume of submissions, they will not contact you in the case of regrets. All interested candidates should mail two copies of headshot and resume.

For more detailed information, download the Conservatory Company FAQs.

For more information on any of Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s Education programs, email Marie D’Apice Education Programs Manager at mdapice[at]hvshakespeare.org.
Read the FAQ

Duration

April 14, 2020 – September 7, 2020

Note: For the duration of studio time in NYC (April 14th-May 27th), Conservatory Company Members will be required to attend all rehearsals for Richard III, Mon-Wed-Fri, and select days for The Venetian Twins, Tu-Th-Sat.

Union

Non-Union and EMC Candidates

Salary

$200 P/W (plus housing and travel)

How to Apply (Deadline: December 31, 2019)

APPLY BY POSTAL SERVICE:
Conservatory Company
Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
143 Main Street
Cold Spring, NY 10516