Playhouse apprentices

The Sharon Playhouse has announced its 2025 cohort of High School Theater Apprentices, a group of talented students from Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS), made possible through an ongoing partnership with the 21st Century Fund for HVRHS.

This summer, five students — Sara Ireland (Salisbury), Jackson Olson (Falls Village), Celestia Galvin (Sharon), Mira Norbet (Sharon), and Ishaan Tantri (Lakeville) — have been selected for the prestigious Theater Apprenticeship Program. Now in its fourth year, this competitive opportunity immerses high schoolers in the full spectrum of professional theater production.

Funded through a generous grant from the 21st Century Fund, an independent nonprofit that champions innovative education, the program places students alongside theater professionals and Broadway veterans at the Sharon Playhouse. Apprentices receive hands-on experience in scenic design, stage management, lighting, sound, arts administration, and more.

“The 21st Century Fund’s support has been transformative,” said Michael Kevin Baldwin, Education and Community Director at the Playhouse. “These students aren’t just observing, they’re contributing in meaningful ways. They’re building confidence and gaining real insight into careers in the arts.”

The impact of the program is deeply felt by its alumni. “My four weeks at the Playhouse were the best part of my summer,” said Katelin Lopes, a 2024 apprentice. Fellow apprentice Tess Marks added, “Everyone I worked with was incredibly kind, supportive, and interested in helping me succeed. This opportunity was incredibly valuable to me.”

For more information and a schedule of performances, visit: https://www.sharonplayhouse.org