Signature in the Schools - for Students

Signature in the Schools is a theatrical training program unlike any other! If chosen to participate in the program, here’s what awaits you:

  • The opportunity to work on a world premiere production, written, directed and designed by professional theater artists.
  • Creating a production that also features a professional actor in the cast.
  • Working on a professional-level play in Signature Theatre’s state-of-the-art MAX Theatre as an actor, stage manager, prop crew member, costume crew member, lighting board operator, spotlight operator, or sound bound operator.
  • Creating a piece that creates conversations about issues that matter. Past productions have looked at things like institutional abuse of women; social media and mental health; the New Deal and its contemporary relevance; the power of the vote.

And it’s all completely free to participate in.

Signature in the Schools needs you. This program aims to reflect the communities of Northern Virginia onstage and backstage, telling stories about people from a wide variety of backgrounds. The play is not written until it’s cast, and it is all tailored to what you bring to the table. We cannot wait for you to experience this program.

Eligibility

Signature in the Schools is available to students who currently attend Arlington Public Schools high schools or Alexandria City Public Schools high schools, grades 9 – 12.

Signature wants to meet student actors and technicians of all experience levels and of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities and expressions, and students living with disabilities.

Health and Safety

Please note that, if accepted, students will need to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. We will offer exemptions for those unable to be vaccinated, such as people with certain medical conditions preventing vaccination or those with closely held religious beliefs that prevent vaccination. Exempted students will need to provide regular and timely negative COVID-19 tests to participate. Students do not need to be fully vaccinated by auditions but will need to be by the time the program begins.

Signature Theatre is continually updating its plans in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Additional health and safety protocol will reflect current guidelines from the CDC and the State of Virginia and will be provided to accepted students closer to the start of the program.

Time Commitment

When you sign up to audition, you’ll get a chance to tell us about any scheduling conflicts you may have. We will honor all submitted conflicts. Any conflicts that come up after the audition will have to be approved by the director (and they might not be approved!) Outside of mandatory days, we will do our best to collaborate with you on scheduling.

The general breakdown of how the program works is listed below.

PART I – Boot Camp and Table Work: Designed to create a true theater ensemble, these sessions are devoted to theatrical skill building and hands-on lessons about the year’s given subject matter. Additionally, there are regular opportunities for the cast and crew to gather to read through the script and to discuss it with the writer as it goes through revisions.
Boot Camp will take place at Signature Theatre.

PART II – Rehearsals and Crew Calls: Once Boot Camp has concluded, the cast and stage management meet for three weeks in January and two weeks in February to stage and rehearse the show. During this same time, costume crew and prop crew meet one to two times a week to build the show.
Rehearsals and crew calls will take place at Signature Theatre and/or Theatre on the Run.

PART III – Tech and Preview Performances: Mandatory for all participants in the production. This is the week where the cast, crew, designers, stage managers and directors all bring their work together to create a fully produced play. They also perform it for a preview audience before they make their final revisions and open the production.
Tech and Preview Performances will take place at Signature Theatre

PART IV – Performances: Following tech and previews, there are four performances for area field trips and up to two performances for the public. Field trip performances are on weekday mornings and public performances are in the evening. We will help you and your parents get you excused from the classes you need to miss. After tech is over, there are no more rehearsals – you just show up and do the show! After the final public performance, the show is closed and the program is over for the year.
Performances will take place at Signature Theatre.

Auditions and Interviews

Information for Auditions for the 2024 – 2025 Signature in the Schools will be released closer to the start of the new school year. Please check back late summer of 2024 for information on the coming auditions for next years program.

Have questions about Signature in the Schools? Send your questions to sigschools@sigtheatre.org.

Signature is committed to becoming a more equitable, anti-racist organization. In this company, we condemn all acts of racism, discrimination and hatred. Signature Theatre celebrates diversity and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics. Signature Theatre is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities.