The producers of the long-awaited revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company which opens this week, is pleased to announce a landmark partnership with Black Theatre Coalition (BTC), an organization dedicated to eradicating racial inequities in the theatre industry, in the creation of a comprehensive paid apprentice program for creative and management professionals pursuing a career in theatre. The apprentices are Twi McCallum in Sound Design, Dwayne “DJ” Fralin in Lighting Design, Damian Jöel in Costume Design, Siobhan Peterson in Stage Management, Brandi Knox in Company Management, Jordan Fleming in Producing, TaNisha Fordham in Directing, and Bobbie Lee Crow III in Musical Direction.
Recognizing the underrepresentation of BIPOC professionals in the commercial theater industry, this paid apprenticeship program has been dedicated to fostering and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, access, and inclusion while providing an invaluable, in-depth education in the business of commercial theater.
BTC is working with multiple General Management offices to use this apprentice program model on upcoming Broadway productions.
Producer Chris Harper commented, “We have been honored to partner with BTC for this apprenticeship program. The apprentices have been an integral part of Company’s return to the Jacobs as we all do the work to further the goal of creating permanent change in our industry.”
Further information from the Black Theatre Coalition: www.BlackTheatreCoalition.org
