Technical Theatre Apprenticeship Program
The mission of the TTAP program is to train the next generation of professional theatre technicians.
The mission of the Technical Theatre Apprenticeship Program is to train the next generation of professional theatre technicians.
The Technical Theatre Apprenticeship Program is an intense two-year program designed for students interested in a career in technical theatre. It is a program that will train theatre technicians. The maximum number of apprentices is five. Venice Theatre accepts new apprentices only in the fall of every year. Students are expected to maintain a B average in their high school/college work and honor any school commitments.
The apprentice will average 20-25 hours per week over the 2-year period. Upon completion of all graduation requirements, the apprentice will earn certification as a stage technician by the Florida Department of Education, Apprenticeship Division. The program serves both students who want to go directly into the workforce or on to college.
A path to college and career opportunities
- Students can earn college credit for the classes that supplement their apprenticeship work.
- The TTAP program helps students identify the correct career path after completion of the program, either directly into the work force or to college.
- When students complete the program, they are qualified to enter the field of professional technical theatre with journeyman status.
The work of an apprentice
- A minimum of 1,500 apprenticeship hours
- Competency in your chosen major and minor
- Demonstration of proactivity, consistent professional ethics, and a readiness to enter the professional world
- Successful completion of classes and life skills workshops
- Portfolio Preparation
- Exit Interview
We would love to hear from you!
Email SandyDavisson@VeniceTheatre.net or call 941-486-8679, x224.
Venice Theatre believes in equal opportunity for all participants regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of these characteristics in any action taken by the theatre, its employees or volunteers.
Sandy Davisson
Director of Education & Community Engagement
Sandy received an M.A. in Theatre History and Criticism from State University of New York and an MFA in Directing at FAU. She finds great joy in watching the students – both children and adults – grow in confidence and communication as they move through the classes at VT.
Murray Chase
Producing Executive Director
Murray Chase is the Producing Executive Director of Venice Theatre, a position he has held since 1995. He is an active participant — and former board member — of Florida Theatre Conference and Southeastern Theatre Conference. He recently completed his term as President of the American Association of Community Theatre, and currently works with the organization as a member of the national Festival Commission. He has served as a frequent grant review panelist for both the Florida Arts Council and the Mississippi Arts Commission. Recently he represented the United States as a delegation member to the World Congress of the International Amateur Theatre Association. Under his leadership, Venice Theatre will host for the fourth time the aactWORLDFEST June 20-26, 2022. Chase is also a former chair of the CEC for Sarasota County Arts Council and a former president of Venice MainStreet.
Actor/Director Credits: Besides the daily aspects of his job here, directing credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Mary Poppins, Our Town and the award-winning productions of The Pillowman, The School For Wives, The Good Woman of Setzuan, Tartuffe and Fool For Love. He has also played a few roles on the VT stage, including Johnny in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Stuart in the Award-winning Boom Town, and George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? all with wife Lori
John Andzulis
Production Manager/Technical Director/Resident Lighting Designer
John is in his 12th season as Venice Theatre’s Technical Director. He has a B.A. in Technical Theatre from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA and has continued his technical career with lighting and scenic designs for productions such as: Handy Award winning Metamorphoses; The Jungle Book; Urinetown; Inherit the Wind; Peter Pan; Ragtime; Sweeney Todd; Godspell; Boeing Boeing; Avenue Q; Hello, Dolly!; Smokey Joe’s Cafe; Radio Gals; Dreamgirls, and A Christmas Carol.
Nate Blaweiss
Resident Sound Designer
Nate Blaweiss is the Associate Sound Designer at Venice Theatre, recently designing for Love Letters (composer), Good People, and Yard Sale. Having studied classical music at FSU and film scoring at Thinkspace, Nate approaches sound design from a musician’s perspective while mixing shows here at Venice Theatre. You can see and hear some of Nate’s work at nateblaweiss.com.
Lisa Million
Resident Stage Manager
Lisa started at Venice Theatre as a stage manager in the TTAP program where some of her favorite credits include Spring Awakening, Jesus Christ Superstar, The King and I, 42nd Street, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Always…Patsy Cline, and Greater Tuna. She is a graduate of The University of Central Florida’s B.F.A. Stage Management Program.