Student Opportunities

This page is regularly updated during the academic year (August–May) with opportunities that may be of interest to our students. If you would like to list an opportunity or resource, please email [email protected]

Please Note: Listings do not imply endorsement of any organization or individual by the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Whenever possible, we will do basic vetting of opportunities and provide links to information about the sponsoring organizations.


Jump To A Section:

Auditions & Performance Opportunities

Classes & Workshops

Discounted & Free Tickets

Internships & Fellowships

Jobs & Gigs

Publications & Writing

Scholarships, Prizes & Funding

Study Abroad/Away

Volunteering

Auditions & Performance Opportunities

Robert Moses' Kin: Dancer Auditions

Sunday, September 15, 2024

Robert Moses’ Kin (San Francisco) is seeking 8-9 performers for its 30th anniversary season. Performers should be available for rehearsals in January and February of 2025, with some rehearsals in Fall of 2024 depending on the company's performance schedule. Interested parties should be ready for a movement-based audition. Acting and singing skills are encouraged but not required. RobertMosesKin.org

SF Neo Futurists: Ensemble Auditions

September 14 in Berkeley | September 15 in San Francisco

The San Francisco Neo-Futurists are a collective of wildly prolific writer/director/performers who create theater that is a fusion of sport, poetry and living newspaper, conveying our experiences and ideas as directly and honestly as possible. Learn more and sign up at SFNeoFuturists.org

Queering Dance Festival: Call for Artists

Deadline: September 19, 2024

The Queering Dance Festival invites all 18+ LGBTQIA2S+ dance artists working in movement-based performance to apply to present work! One weekend of performances in late March or early April in the Bay Area. Apply for Long Works (20-30 min), $2,000 + 25 hrs of studio space or Short Works (8-12min), $1,000 + 15 hours of studio space. Audio Description and ASL services provided during the show. ADA accessible venue and studio space. QDF Submission Details

YMTC: Auditions for Heathers the Musical

September 28 & 29, 2024

Audition sign-ups are now open for high school and college students for our winter production of Heathers the Musical. Auditions will take place at Live Oak Theater in Berkeley over two days: Saturday 9/28 will be singing/acting auditions, and Sunday 9/29 will be a dance call. Auditioners should plan to attend both days to be considered. YMTCBayArea.org

Audition & Casting Resources:

Classes & Workshops

Kinetech Arts: DanceHack 2024

September 27–29, 2024

DanceHack is an annual gathering of creatives, technologists, and dancers to explore the dynamic interplay of dance and technology. This year’s theme, A Body of Work, invites us to reconnect with the human body—its innate technology, physicality, and creativity—in the face of rapid technological advancements. The weekend will feature a workshop led by Lisa Wymore (TDPS Faculty) on "Creative Collaborations: How to dance hack with a diverse group of people." September 27–29, Mills College at Northeastern University, Oakland CA. Registration: $100. DanceHack.org

DeCal Course: To the Pointe – A Survey of Ballet History, Practices, and Performances

Course Start: September 9, 2024

This course will focus on the broad history of ballet and ballet’s place in culture and society. Students will learn about the components that make up a ballet performance such as costuming, stage design, choreography, music choice etc and how that affects the reception of a ballet and its messages. Schedule: Mondays, 5pm–6pm, Beginning September 9. Visit the DeCal website for details.

TDPS: Stage Manager for Student-Directed Theater Workshop

Deadline: Until Filled

TDPS student Paul Baliaouri is seeking a Stage Manager for their Fall 2024 theater workshop, Cлова-паразиты (Parasite Words), which runs October 7–31. The workshop will be an experimental devised piece, so many changes and improvised moments will occur during rehearsing before the final performance. The Stage Manager is expected and encouraged to collaborate with the Director on creative decision-making. The selected student is eligible to enroll for 1–2 units of Theater 171. See more details about the workshop here

SF Dance Film Festival: "Acting for Dancers" Workshop with Amanda Schull

Date: September 14, 2024

This workshop will help to focus character development and encourage dancers to work toward accessing deeper, more authentic choices for their acting on stage. The workshop will be held on Saturday, September 14, 12:30–4:30pm at Smuin Center for Dance in San Francisco. Registration is $105 for in-person participation and $79 for online participation. SFDanceFilmFest.org

Crowded Fire Theater: Solo Performance Intensive

Deadline: September 16, 2024 | 11:59pm

This free Solo Performance Intensive provides a constructive path for actors and creators to generate an original monologue for performance. Dawn Monique Williams and M. Graham Smith will guide the process of creating an original monologue, provide tools and structures for generation, and constructive direction for development. Participants must be available to attend all sessions in-person at Potrero Stage in San Francisco (6–10pm on October 1, 8, 15). Learn more and apply at CrowdedFire.org

Ongoing Classes & Work Exchanges:

Discounted & Free Tickets

Berkeley Playhouse: $20 Student Rush Tickets

Rush tickets can be purchased for $20 at the door at a performance’s showtime. Tickets are based on availability. A valid student ID must be shown for entry. BerkeleyPlayhouse.org

Berkeley Rep: Under 35 Discount

Half-price tickets for anyone under the age of 35. ID required to be shown at will call before performance, one ticket per one ID; based on availability; available online, by phone, and in person. BerkeleyRep.org

Cal Performances: $10 or Half-Price Student Tickets

Cal Performances (UC Berkeley) offers $10 student tickets to select performances. UC Berkeley students can also get 50% off tickets to any show. For details, visit CalPerformances.org

The Marsh: $10 Student Tickets

Use promo code STUDENT for $10 student tickets to any show at The Marsh (Berkeley & San Francisco). TheMarsh.org

Shotgun Players: $10 Tickets for Ages 25 & Under

Shotgun Players (Berkeley) offers $10 MAD Tickets to anyone 25 and younger. Use discount code MADTIX to reserve tickets to any performance. ShotgunPlayers.org

Internships, Fellowships & Residencies

Deb Slater Dance: Studio 210 Winter Residency

Deadline: October 6, 2024

The Studio 210 Residency supports Bay Area artists looking to develop a new project or deepen their practice by providing space to make their work, professional mentorship, an artist stipend, and a culminating performance to share their projects and connect with new audiences. The residency is intended as a vehicle for artists to hone their skills, experiment, and dive into making performance. It is currently open to dedicated artists of all performance disciplines (dance, music, theater, etc). DeborahSlater.org/residency

USITT: Conference Assistant Mentorship Program

Deadline: Until Filled

The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) will host its Annual Conference & Stage Expo from March 5–8 in Columbus, Ohio. Conference Assistants work in all areas of the event, including venue set-up, stage expo floor, bookstore, registration, and more. Assistants can attend the conference for a reduced rate of $25 and will learn about the intricacies of producing large events from professionals in the live events field.

Shawl-Anderson Dance Center: Teaching Assistant Program

Deadline: Until Filled

SADC (based in Berkeley) offers teaching assistant positions that are well-suited for teens, college students, and young professionals. Focused skills include leadership, lesson planning, communication, conflict-resolution, child-development knowledge, and dance pedagogy. Assisting may be done for work exchange credit (to be used on adult classes and rental space) or college credit. SADC Application Form

USITT: Gateway Mentorship Program

Deadline: October 1, 2024

The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) connects performing arts design and technology communities to ensure a vibrant dialog among practitioners, educators, and students. The Gateway Program is a  customizable mentorship program that fosters opportunities for those who identify with an underrepresented population. It allows an individual to work with a mentor to tailor their learning goals and career development while attending the upcoming conference with the financial support of USITT. USITT.org/Gateway

Hip Hop Artist Residency & Training (HART) Program

Deadline: October 3, 2024

Based in San Francisco, this four-month residency provides training and performance opportunities to eight Black transitional youth (ages 18–26) with aspirations to build a career in Hip Hop and the performing arts. Participants will receive a stipend of $2,000, access to a dance and music recording studio, mentorship and workshops, and social media skill building. PushDance.org/HART

UC Berkeley Internship Resources:

Recurring Internship/Fellowship Opportunities:

Jobs & Gigs

Wagner Ranch Elementary: Assistant Director for Frozen Jr.

Posted: September 12, 2024

The Wagner Ranch Elementary School Parents Club (Orinda, CA) is in search of an Assistant Director and/or Choreographer to help make our fourth and fifth grade musical, Frozen Jr, a smashing success! The AD will work with the cast during rehearsals under the supervision of the Director, Lizzy Asarnow. Commitment: October 2, 2024 to March 20, 2025, 1:30–4:30pm (no rehearsals during school breaks). Compensation starts at $4,500 and is negotiable. Contact: Michelle Swaney at [email protected]

Stage Manager for Leili & Majnun

Posted: September 12, 2024

Join us in this theatrical adaptation of a 12th-century Persian romance poem. This is an ensemble play in English with live music and movement. The performance will be 90-minutes without intermission at Central Stage, a small black box in Richmond, CA. The ideal candidate would have experience running shows with movement, singing and live music, as well as managing a diverse cast and a multicultural production. Commitment: Oct 28–Dec 15. See more details here. Please email your resume to [email protected]

New Conservatory Theatre Center: Teaching Artists for After-School Drama Workshops and In-School Residencies

Deadline: Rolling

NCTC Education provides weekly after-school workshops and in-school residencies for K-8 students in partnership with San Francisco schools. Our highly-trained Teaching Artists use targeted lesson plans to help students develop skills such as pantomime, spontaneity, character development, and ensemble-building. BIPOC and multilingual speakers (Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and French) are highly encouraged to apply. NCTC Teaching Artists – Job Description & Application Link

Aurora Theatre: 2024/25 Season Jobs

Deadline: Rolling

Aurora Theatre Company (Berkeley) is now hiring for several production positions, including Scenic Painter/Charge Artist, Carpenter, Electricians, Costume Crew, and more. Pay is $20–28, depending on the position. AuroraTheatre.org

Ongoing Job Opportunities & Resources:

Publications & Writing

Yale Drama Series: 2025 Playwriting Competition

Deadline: September 8, 2024

The Yale Drama Series is seeking submissions for its 2025 playwriting competition. The winning play will be selected by the series’ current judge, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The winner of this annual competition will be awarded the David Charles Horn Prize of $10,000, publication of their manuscript by Yale University Press, and a celebratory event. YaleBooks.Yale.edu

Native Voices: Call for Short Plays

Deadline: October 1, 2024

For the 15th Annual Short Play Festival, Native Voices invites playwrights to venture into Indigenous Futurisms. What does our collective future look like? Is it a utopia, a dystopia, or something we have yet to imagine? The Short Play Festival’s only requirements are that the plays run 10 minutes or less, fit the theme as the playwright sees fit, and that the playwrights are Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or First Nations artists. Learn more at TheAutry.org

Recurring Writing Opportunities:

Scholarships, Prizes, Funding

Fashion Scholarship Fund

Deadline: October 16, 2024

The Fashion Scholarship Fund awards over $1 million in scholarships annually, accompanied by career-boosting events like talent acquisition, internships, mentorships, and exclusive networking opportunities. Topics for scholarships change yearly, featuring in-depth student challenges addressing real industry issues. Awards range from $7,500 to $25,000. Visit FashionScholarshipFund.org for details

UC Berkeley Scholarship & Prize Resources:

Volunteering (Arts-Related)

UC Berkeley:

  • CREATE (Creative Residencies for Emerging Artists Teaching Empowerment) invites Berkeley undergraduates to teach classes in visual arts, theater, dance, and/or creative writing to meet the enrichment needs of local schools and community organizations.
  • Dance the Bay strives to make dance accessible for all audiences by providing dance classes for preschool and after school programs, in addition to hospitals and senior homes. 
  • Splash at Berkeley brings local high school students to the University of California, Berkeley for a day of unlimited student-led learning. Participating students take courses in both conventional and unconventional subjects taught by Berkeley students.

East Bay:

San Francisco: