Education Apprentice

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
People’s Light is an equal opportunity employer. We work to cultivate a deep and wide reach in order to connect with prospective employees who have varied experiences and skills, a collaborative attitude, and the capacity and desire for growth.

NON-DISCRIMINATION HIRING POLICY People’s Light seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to create an antiracist, socially just, and inclusive presence in Chester County and our surrounding community. People’s Light does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Applicants from populations historically underrepresented in the theatre field are strongly encouraged to apply.

About this Position

Seasonal: September 2026-June 2027
20-28 hours per week
Includes some evenings and most Saturdays; schedule set in advance
$15/hourly

About People’s Light

Founded in 1974, People’s Light is a nationally recognized and award-winning LORT D theatre company located in Malvern, Pa. (Chester County), just outside Philadelphia. It is known for producing classics, contemporary plays and musicals, including an annual signature holiday “panto,” and commissioning and producing new work: over one-third of its productions in its 50-year history have been world or regional premieres. These include MUD ROW by Dominique Morisseau; PERSONALITY: THE LLOYD PRICE MUSICAL by B. Jeffrey Madoff with Lloyd Price, and LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE by Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregor.

In addition, People's Light offers a robust array of education and community programs, including the New Voices Ensemble, a multi-decade program serving young people from the City of Chester; and New Play Frontiers, a long-term initiative to develop and produce new plays that explore the American identity through stories of deep meaning to the diversity of populations rooted in Chester County.

People's Light has always called Chester County “home.” In 1979, the theatre moved to its current Malvern location, which includes two black box theatres with 330 and 140 seats respectively; offices; scenic shops; rehearsal halls; classrooms; a restored 18th-century farmhouse that includes housing for guest artists; the Fern & Fable restaurant; and The Farmhouse banquet and catering facility that can be rented for special events, and which is owned and operated as a for-profit entity.

People’s Light has an annual operating budget of $7.7M and annually employs 40 full-time staff, with an additional 60 part-time artists and staff members, many of whom live within 15 miles of campus. Each season it welcomes almost 200 guest artists from Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., and beyond. With a resident company of artists and serving 80,000 patrons, guests, students, and community members each year, People’s Light is a community beacon and cultural hub that champions innovation, inclusion, and the transformative power of the arts.

Primary Responsibilities

The Education Apprentice provides both classroom and administrative support to programs in the robust education department at People’s Light, an acclaimed regional theatre in Malvern, PA. Working with the Director of Education, Associate Director of Education, and the Director of Artist Training, the Apprentice will gain experience with extra-curricular theatre offerings (Saturday Theatre School), Student Matinees, in-school touring performances, classroom workshops, and our New Voices Ensemble, a community-based youth theatre program for students creating original work.

The ideal candidate will love theatre making, have a desire to support learners of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and skill levels, and will take pride in organizing logistics from spreadsheets to snacks. This role will ask the apprentice to develop skillful communication with educators, students, parents and theatre colleagues, and a keen eye for safe, clean, and organized spaces for programming. While this is not primarily a teaching role, the apprentice will observe a variety of gifted teaching artists working in a variety of settings and formats, and may have the opportunity to co-teach or solo teach in some settings if that is a desired goal. The apprentice will also learn practices around class marketing, enrollment, and preparation, and will participate in program documentation for institutional use and grants. By the end of the season the apprentice will have deep understanding both of theatre education programming and the structure that supports that work within a non-profit arts organization.

Candidates should have some prior experience with teaching, working, and/or volunteering with children, as well as experience (academic and/or professional) in theatre. Administrative experience is preferred, but we are prepared to train the right candidate who is ready to learn the demands of a fast-paced office alongside their rehearsal room & classroom roles as well.

People’s Light is not served by public transit. Most work will take place at 39 Conestoga Rd. in Malvern, PA, but some programs will also require the apprentice to travel off-site to schools or other program settings. Reliable transportation is required to fulfill this role. Candidates will also need to complete the required PA clearances for work with minors.

Apprentices at People’s Light are introduced to other departments of the theatre outside their core focus area, and attend staff meetings, trainings, rehearsals, and performances as a part-time schedule allows. The apprentice role is intended to build skills for future work in educational and community programming, as well as a broader familiarity with the professional theatre environment.

For consideration please complete the application form. Materials required to upload are: a cover letter of introduction detailing why this role represents a meaningful career opportunity, a resume of theatre and relevant work, academic, and/or volunteer experience, and contact information for two references. Applicants have the additional option to submit a video of introduction, but this is not required.

The deadline for consideration is August 26, 2026.