Am I eligible to participate?

Current undergraduates OR graduate students at two-year or four-year colleges and universities; People who have graduated from a two-year or four-year college or university with an undergraduate degree within the last 12 months (cannot be masters or PhD graduates); OR people who have pursued an alternate path to formal education (examples: military veterans, students at technical or trade schools, people who went directly into the workforce after high school, people who pursued a career outside of theatre after graduating from an undergraduate theatre program).

Am I a good fit for this program?

There are many different “good fits” for this program. Use your application to tell us why a specific Observership would help you at this point in your career or education and how you connect with the show being observed.

Do I get to participate actively in the rehearsal room?

No, Observers do not actively participate in the rehearsal room. Participants’ experience in the rehearsal room is purely observational. Group and personal reflection and discussion will happen before and after rehearsals led by a CTG Teaching Artist. Interaction with the cast, creative team, and stage management will be extremely limited.

Yes. This is an educational program compensated with a stipend. Observers are not being hired by Center Theatre Group. Observers receive a stipend plus paid parking or a Metro pass. Stipends range from $500-$700 depending on the schedule and hours required.

When are Observerships offered? What is the time commitment

Observerships are offered throughout the year in conjunction with selected Center Theatre Group productions and take place during a show’s rehearsal process. They last anywhere from two to six weeks, and typically total 30-40 hours throughout the program. Applicants should have strong availability during the Observership timeframe. Please see the specific details for each Observership above.

Do I need to have my own car?

No, you do not need your own car. However, Observer need to have reliable transportation to all of Center Theatre Group’s locations, including our Costume & Prop Shop in Boyle Heights, our theatres and administrative office in Downtown L.A., and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Observer planning on taking public transit should be aware that the schedule will include nighttime rehearsals, and they may be traveling home after dark.

What should I include in my resume? If I don’t have a resume, what should I submit?

A resume is a one- to two-page document that shows why you might be a good fit for a program or job. Your resume needs to include: Your contact information. Information about any previous experience that might help us understand why you would be a good fit for this program. Examples: theatre classes you have taken; assistant directing experience on campus Hard skills that might be important for this Observership. Examples: script analysis; theatre criticism If you don’t already have a resume, you can find free templates online to make one, or you can just type the information above into a Word document.

Should I submit a cover letter or letter of recommendation?

No. Please submit only the documents we have asked for.

I’m an alum of another Center Theatre Group program. Am I eligible?

Alumni of any of our teen initiatives, including the Student Ambassador Program and former Teen Theatregoers Program are encouraged to apply; please review the age requirements below. Former Observers cannot repeat the program.

Are there age requirements? Do I need to be in school?

This is a post high school program, meaning you must be over the age of 18 to apply. We do not offer Observerships for high school students and/or people under the age of 18. We encourage young people under age 18 to sign up for our and explore our student events. Our program has no upper age limit. If you fit all eligibility requirements and believe you would benefit from our program, we encourage you to apply. You do not need to be currently enrolled in school to apply for the Observership Program, and you do not need to have any college or post-high school training to apply. If you have been out of school for more than one year (undergraduates), or if you are in or have graduated from a master’s or PhD program in theatre, you are not eligible for our Observership Program. Please take a look at our employment opportunities page instead.

I’m an educator and would like to get materials for students and/or arrange for a Center Theatre Group representative to visit my campus.

We would love to connect with you. Please contact Observerships@CTGLA.org.

Observerships

A backstage pass to the professional rehearsal process.

In each cycle, a small group of Observers will spend time in rehearsals for at least one Center Theatre Group production, observing the process at several different phases. They will discuss what they observe, receive training on what goes on in a professional rehearsal room, and reflect on their own artistic voice, guided by a teaching artist. The Observership will end with all participants creating artists’ statements based on their experiences.

Any questions? Email [email protected].

Upcoming Opportunities

¡SÍ SE PUEDE!

Ideal for emerging theatremakers interested in working in the community and learning more about what it takes to create and execute a touring show.

Observership Period: September 22 – November 20, 2026
Compensation: $725 for approximately 38 program hours

Applications due Friday, September 11 by 12PM

Learn About the Show

How To Apply

To apply for an Observership, all applicants must complete the electronic application and email a PDF or Word Resume as instructed below. We encourage you to apply early. We cannot accept late applications.

Please read the instructions below carefully. A complete application includes:

An official Center Theatre Group Electronic Observership Application linked below. We encourage you to review the Observership Questions (View Questions Here) before you begin your application to ensure thoughtful and complete responses.
Apply Now
A Word or PDF resume that reflects your theatre experience emailed to [email protected]. Please email your resume as a separate PDF or Word attachment. Do not link to a Google document and do not submit your resume as an image. Improper file types will not be accepted as complete applications.

Important notes:

A completed application will include BOTH the submission of the Electronic Observership Application and your emailed resume to [email protected].
We will acknowledge receipt of all complete applications within a week of your submission. Do not submit multiple copies of the same application.

If you have any questions after reviewing all the information on this page, including the Frequently Asked Questions section, please send them to [email protected]

AFTER YOU APPLY

A select number of applicants will be invited to a Group Interview on Tuesday, September 22 from 3:30-5:30PM in person in Downtown Los Angeles. Invitation to the Group Interview is not acceptance into the program. The program team will select the Observership cadre after the Group Interview, and all applicants will be notified of program acceptance or release.

Location

All program dates will be in person in downtown Los Angeles, unless otherwise communicated with accepted applicants.

Center Theatre Group does not provide transportation to and from program locations, but we do provide free parking or a free Metro pass to participants throughout the program.

PROGRAM COMMITMENT AND SCHEDULE

Participants will attend an in person Program Orientation, a total of six in person Rehearsal Dates throughout the rehearsal process, and additional program offerings as scheduled.

Each program date will be up to 6 hours, which includes time in the rehearsal room, preparation, discussion, and reflection outside the rehearsal room. During discussion time, selected Observers will reflect on what they observe in the rehearsal room, develop their own artistic voice, and work on their Artist Statements to be completed by the end of the program.

Before applying, applicants should review the tentative schedule listed on the CTG Observership Information document linked in the HOW TO APPLY section above.

Origin Story

This program values emerging artists’ voices from all backgrounds. An individual’s unique perspective is invaluable to the theatrical creative process to bring great stories to life and create theatre magic. Applicants will be asked to share their "origin story” in their application.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Current undergraduates OR graduate students at two-year or four-year colleges and universities;
- People who have graduated from a two-year or four-year college or university with an undergraduate degree within the last 12 months (cannot be masters or PhD graduates);
- OR people who have pursued an alternate path to formal education (examples: military veterans, students at technical or trade schools, people who went directly into the workforce after high school, people who pursued a career outside of theatre after graduating from an undergraduate theatre program).
There are many different “good fits” for this program. Use your application to tell us why a specific Observership would help you at this point in your career or education and how you connect with the show being observed.
No, Observers do not actively participate in the rehearsal room. Participants’ experience in the rehearsal room is purely observational. Group and personal reflection and discussion will happen before and after rehearsals led by a CTG Teaching Artist. Interaction with the cast, creative team, and stage management will be extremely limited.
Yes. This is an educational program compensated with a stipend. Observers are not being hired by Center Theatre Group. Observers receive a stipend plus paid parking or a Metro pass. Stipends range from $500-$700 depending on the schedule and hours required.
Observerships are offered throughout the year in conjunction with selected Center Theatre Group productions and take place during a show’s rehearsal process. They last anywhere from two to six weeks, and typically total 30-40 hours throughout the program. Applicants should have strong availability during the Observership timeframe.

Please see the specific details for each Observership above.
No, you do not need your own car. However, Observer need to have reliable transportation to all of Center Theatre Group’s locations, including our Costume & Prop Shop in Boyle Heights, our theatres and administrative office in Downtown L.A., and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Observer planning on taking public transit should be aware that the schedule will include nighttime rehearsals, and they may be traveling home after dark.
A resume is a one- to two-page document that shows why you might be a good fit for a program or job. Your resume needs to include:
- Your contact information.
- Information about any previous experience that might help us understand why you would be a good fit for this program. Examples: theatre classes you have taken; assistant directing experience on campus
- Hard skills that might be important for this Observership. Examples: script analysis; theatre criticism
If you don’t already have a resume, you can find free templates online to make one, or you can just type the information above into a Word document.
Alumni of any of our teen initiatives, including the Student Ambassador Program and former Teen Theatregoers Program are encouraged to apply; please review the age requirements below. Former Observers cannot repeat the program.
This is a post high school program, meaning you must be over the age of 18 to apply. We do not offer Observerships for high school students and/or people under the age of 18. We encourage young people under age 18 to sign up for our and explore our student events. Our program has no upper age limit. If you fit all eligibility requirements and believe you would benefit from our program, we encourage you to apply.

You do not need to be currently enrolled in school to apply for the Observership Program, and you do not need to have any college or post-high school training to apply.

If you have been out of school for more than one year (undergraduates), or if you are in or have graduated from a master’s or PhD program in theatre, you are not eligible for our Observership Program. Please take a look at our employment opportunities page instead.

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