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). All applicants must be curious about pursuing a career in live theatre, must have some demonstrated interest in the area in which they are applying (inside or outside of a school setting), and must have strong availability for the duration of the Observership period*. People who hold a master's and/or doctoral degree, people with extensive professional and/or paid experience in live theatre, people who no longer identify as early-career, and people who do not demonstrate adequate availability to meet the requirements of the program will not be considered, nor will students who do not address the Diversity Requirement. We encourage students with nontraditional career and educational paths to apply, and all applicants can contact the Program Manager at Observerships@CTGLA.org with eligibility questions. *Observership Program Dates are subject to change and reliant on the production schedule. All applicants should have strong general availability between the hours of 9am-6pm Tues-Fri during the Observership period.

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! All Observerships are paid. 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 our Observership Program are ineligible for this program. Alumni of any of our teen initiatives, including the Student Ambassador Program, Teen Theatregoers Program, or, 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.

Tell me more about the diversity requirement.

All applicants are asked to articulate why they need this program, whether it is self-identifying as a member of a group currently underrepresented in theatre production and artistic careers, inaccessibility to participate in training programs or the like because they were not paid, etc. Some examples of underrepresented groups in this industry include but are not limited to, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, women pursuing careers in production or other traditionally male-dominated areas, first-generation college students, people from low-income backgrounds, and military veterans. We seek to provide emerging professionals with hands-on and observational experience in an effort to promote accessibility in the arts. Note that all applicants must answer the Diversity Requirement question to receive consideration. This educational program is designed to support people who are members of a group that is underrepresented in careers in theatre in Los Angeles—meaning there are fewer people in those jobs than in the general Los Angeles County population. The examples we give are not meant to be comprehensive. We rely on you to tell us why you believe this is a program you need in this moment as you start your career in theatre or live entertainment. Please note that we are not asking why you think diversity is important, or how you plan to support diversity in your career.

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.

Any questions? Email Observerships@ctgla.org.

Upcoming Opportunities

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 who is also a working local director. The Observership will end with all participants creating artists’ statements based on their experiences.

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

Applications for the Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Observership are now closed. The program team will notify applicants of program acceptance or release by Monday, September 8, 2025.

About The Show

Here Lies Love

Application information will be updated here during our next open application cycle.

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 before you begin your application to ensure thoughtful and complete responses. CTG Observership Questions, Jaja's 2025

Apply Now

A Word or PDF resume that reflects your theatre experience emailed to Observerships@CTGLA.org. Please email your resume as 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 Observerships@CTGLA.org.

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 Observerships@CTGLA.org

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 five 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.

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).
All applicants must be curious about pursuing a career in live theatre, must have some demonstrated interest in the area in which they are applying (inside or outside of a school setting), and must have strong availability for the duration of the Observership period*.

People who hold a master's and/or doctoral degree, people with extensive professional and/or paid experience in live theatre, people who no longer identify as early-career, and people who do not demonstrate adequate availability to meet the requirements of the program will not be considered, nor will students who do not address the Diversity Requirement. We encourage students with nontraditional career and educational paths to apply, and all applicants can contact the Program Manager at Observerships@CTGLA.org with eligibility questions.

*Observership Program Dates are subject to change and reliant on the production schedule. All applicants should have strong general availability between the hours of 9am-6pm Tues-Fri during the Observership period.
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.
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 our Observership Program are ineligible for this program. Alumni of any of our teen initiatives, including the Student Ambassador Program, Teen Theatregoers Program, or, 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.
All applicants are asked to articulate why they need this program, whether it is self-identifying as a member of a group currently underrepresented in theatre production and artistic careers, inaccessibility to participate in training programs or the like because they were not paid, etc. Some examples of underrepresented groups in this industry include but are not limited to, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, women pursuing careers in production or other traditionally male-dominated areas, first-generation college students, people from low-income backgrounds, and military veterans. We seek to provide emerging professionals with hands-on and observational experience in an effort to promote accessibility in the arts. Note that all applicants must answer the Diversity Requirement question to receive consideration.

This educational program is designed to support people who are members of a group that is underrepresented in careers in theatre in Los Angeles—meaning there are fewer people in those jobs than in the general Los Angeles County population. The examples we give are not meant to be comprehensive. We rely on you to tell us why you believe this is a program you need in this moment as you start your career in theatre or live entertainment.

Please note that we are not asking why you think diversity is important, or how you plan to support diversity in your career.