FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many applicants will be accepted?

• Up to six applicants will be selected.

Are there any application fees or program fees?

• No, it is a completely free program.

Is this an internship?  Is it paid?

• No, this is not an internship and it is not paid.

What will I learn in the program?

• While there are group monthly meetings covering topics important to young professionals, each mentee sets their own goals for the program and receives individualized mentorship to help attain those goals.  

What will my time commitment be?

• The only required events are the monthly meetings.  Outside of those meetings, the time commitment depends on the goals each individual mentee sets for themselves.

Are mentees expected to provide labor for the mentors during the year?

• No, the program was created to provide advice and guidance to young artists, not to obtain their talents without pay.

Are there opportunities to assist Wingspace designers?  

• Assisting opportunities are not guaranteed but if a mentee has the requisite skills they may be hired as an assistant at some point during the mentorship.  All assisting work is paid at a rate appropriate to the scale of the production.

Who are the mentors they will work with during the year?  

• Each mentee will be assigned two primary mentors as points of contact, though every member of Wingspace can potentially provide some degree of mentorship through advising, studio visits or invitations to technical rehearsals.

The application form requires me to select a single design discipline.  What if I am interested in exploring multiple design disciplines?

• We ask for your area of primary interest in order to guide the application process and assign you to your primary mentors within Wingspace. This is not meant to limit your exploration in any way.  Wingspace has designers from all disciplines as well as directors and dramaturges so there is potential to explore many interests outside your primary area of focus.

Will mentees be able to explore a broad range within the performing arts?

• Because of our large membership, we are in a position to offer a true breadth of potential learning experiences, allowing us to tailor the experience to the needs of the applicants we accept. Prospective applicants should look at our membership to see what type of work is being done. Additionally, we are very well-connected within the theatrical design community and can make introductions to outside designers if that helps to further a particular mentee’s goals.

Is this intended for undergraduates to decide if they want to continue on to graduate school and will you encourage that?

• It's not designed to encourage them one way or another. We can certainly help them prepare for graduate school if that is one of their goals.

I am working summer stock or an out-of-town job during the period of the mentorship.  Should I still apply?

• Yes!  This is an unpaid mentorship and we are counting on you to find work for yourself. We know that work schedules in this business can be unpredictable. As long as New York will be your home base for the mentorship period, you should still apply.

Is there assistance with helping mentees find roommate/living situations?

• We do not provide this service.