LaGuardia Community College Fellow

2027 Public Theater LaGuardia Community College Fellowship Program, Civic Artistic Programs

The LaGuardia Fellowship at The Public Theater offers full-time, paid training opportunities to recent Laguardia Community College for a duration of seven months. Made possible by the generous support of Arts Midwest’s Shakespeare in American Communities and supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, this program ensures that each Fellow is ingrained within a specific Public Theater department related to their chosen discipline, providing them with robust professional development and network-building opportunities to help launch their careers.

Dates of the fellowship: Monday, February 1, 2027 – Friday, August 27, 2027.

Candidates from historically underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply*.

The 2027 LaGuardia Community College Fellowship includes:

• A structured, full-time, training opportunity at The Public Theater where Fellows will be assigned day-to-day tasks/long-term projects in support of and in collaboration with their department
• Mentorship by an experienced staff member of The Public Theater
• Seminars, workshops, and additional networking opportunities designed to increase understanding of The Public’s operations and programming, guide professional development, and connect to the larger performing arts community
• A salary of $30,000 disbursed bi-weekly at an hourly rate over the seven-month fellowship period
• This is a full-time, non-exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act with an hourly rate of $25, which is annualized at $52,000. The Overtime Rate is $50.00
• Access to healthcare benefits and pre-tax transit

Applications must include:

• A completed application through The Public Theater website, at thepublic.nyc/careers
• 1-page cover letter that details:

• Why you want to work at The Public Theater in your selected department
• What preexisting and/or foundational skills you would bring into the role
• What you hope to learn during the fellowship and how it applies to your long-term professional goals
• Optional: Some applicants may have a background, identity or interest that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this resonates with you, then please feel free to share with us.

• 1-2 page professional résumé
• Contact information for 3 references (at least 2 references should be professional and/or academic)

Applicants must:

• Have a Associate's degree from the LaGuardia Community College Department of Theater conferred between December 2023 - December 2026.
• Must possess U.S. work authorization upon date of hire for the length of the fellowship
• Not be currently enrolled in a graduate degree or training program during the fellowship
• Be available to work up to 40 hours a week in their assigned department (please note: some departments may require periodic evening and/or weekend availability) for the duration of the fellowship
• Attend periodic training events, meetings, and workshops as required by the program

The deadline for completed applications is 11:59pm on Tuesday, December, 1 2026.
All applicants will be notified of their application status no later than December 31, 2026.

Please reach out to Becca Kenigsberg at rkenigsberg@publictheater.org if you have any questions.

*The Public is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.

The Public's commitment to diversity is broadly conceived. It includes, but is not limited to:

• Underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds
• First-generation college students
• Women and gender expansive people
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• People with disabilities
• Others whose backgrounds and experiences would diversify the field of theater

2027 Public Theater Civic Artistic Programs Fellowship

The Civic Artistic Programs department at The Public Theater is responsible for art making and engagement in collaboration with community partner organizations and their members. Through the Mobile Unit, Public Stories, and Public Works, this department furthers access, civic engagement, and artistic innovation.

Responsibilities

• Support the maintenance, organization, and updating of Civic Artistic Programs' database, helping to ensure accurate and accessible records of community partners, participants, artists, and program relationships.
• Assist in developing and maintaining systems for tracking relationships, participation, and other metrics across Civic Artistic Programs.
• Support community recruitment efforts with partner organizations to encourage attendance at Mobile Unit performances and create opportunities for shared experiences among New Yorkers.
• Work closely with Public Stories storytellers to support their participation in select Mobile Unit and Shakespeare in the Park performances, including communications, scheduling, preparation, and on-site coordination.
• Support the Public Works annual pageant production, getting to know community members, attending rehearsals, and supporting with distribution of materials, information, and company wellbeing.
• Support the coordination and execution of Civic Artistic Programs events, performances, workshops, and community gatherings.

• Assist with communications and follow-up with community partners, participants, artists, and collaborators, helping to cultivate ongoing relationships with The Public.
• Assist in data collection across programs, including feedback forms and audience survey responses.
• Assist with general administrative needs of the Civic Artistic Programs department and contribute to the development of systems that support the department's work.

Professional Development/Training Events

• Gain exposure to the different models of community engagement and artistic practice across Civic Artistic Programs, including Mobile Unit, Public Works, Public Stories, and Public Works Lab.
• Shadow Civic Artistic Programs staff in the planning and execution of performances, community gatherings, workshops, and other program activities.
• Observe workshops, rehearsals and performances to gain an understanding of the artistic and operational processes that support The Public's civic and artistic work.
• Participate in community engagement activities, including opportunities to build relationships with community partner organizations and program participants.
• Attend Mobile Unit performances and select Shakespeare in the Park performances, experiencing firsthand how The Public connects with audiences across New York City.
• Attend weekly Fellow meetings with Public Theater staff members.
• Attend monthly professional development workshops, as well as additionally scheduled networking and/or training events.
• Meet monthly with assigned Public Theater mentor.

What We're Looking For

• An interest in and passion for community engagement, civic participation, and the role of the arts in building relationships among people and communities.
• A belief in the power of storytelling and artistic practice to create opportunities for connection, dialogue, and shared understanding.
• An interest in exploring how cultural institutions can build meaningful, reciprocal relationships with the communities they serve.
• An enthusiasm for working with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and a commitment to creating welcoming and accessible spaces.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to build relationships with community members, artists, and colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly when managing information, coordinating logistics, and tracking multiple projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with an interest or willingness to learn database management systems.

• A proactive, resourceful approach to problem-solving and supporting colleagues.
• Collaborative, enthusiastic team player who is comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility and willingness to work evenings and weekends in support of rehearsals, performances, and community events.