Applications Now Accepted for the 2011 VSA Apprenticeship

VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, is accepting applications from undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in theater for the VSA Apprenticeship at the renowned Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts. Up to two students with a disability, age 19-24, will be selected for this prestigious, career-building opportunity for the summer of 2011. The application deadline is February 25, 2011.

"The professional development offered by the Williamstown Theatre Festival launches careers in the theater-just look at previous apprentices like Christopher Reeve, Blythe Danner, Olympia Dukakis, and Kate Burton," said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA. "The apprentices completing this rigorous program gain real world experience and skills they'll use the rest of their lives. We're pleased to continue our partnership with this esteemed theater festival for the sixth consecutive year."

The selected VSA apprentices take part in acting, voice, and movement master classes alongside 70 other Williamstown students from June until August and are eligible to audition for roles with the professional company on the Main Stage, Nikos Stage, and Free Theatre shows. The apprentices also work rotating shifts in all festival departments and learn how a professional theater company runs.

VSA provides its selected apprentices with tuition, room, board, and travel. VSA will also provide support for a personal care assistant if a student requires assistance and reasonable accommodation for the apprentice's disability.

Students interested in applying to this program should visit www.vsarts.org/williamstown or call (202) 628-2800 for more information.

About VSA

VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, was founded more than 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to provide arts and education opportunities for people with disabilities and increase access to the arts for all. With 52 international affiliates and a network of nationwide affiliates, VSA is changing perceptions about people with disabilities around the world. Each year, 7 million people of all ages and abilities participate in VSA programs, which cover all artistic genres. VSA is an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, visit www.vsarts.org.