The College of Fellows of the American Theatre, in partnership with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, is proud to honor the legacy of August Wilson, and his impact on theatre in higher education and theatrical production around the world.
We invite applications for the second year of The August Wilson Fellowship in Theatrical Production, Design, and Theatre Technology.
This fellowship, initiated by the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, has been created to address the urgent need to bolster emerging theatre professionals of color by supporting and providing a summer residency with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, in the awardee’s area of specialization.
Our past does not define our future; it is up to us to create our own destiny. August Wilson
The August Wilson Fellowship in Theatrical Production, Design, and Theatre Technology will take place Summer 2026 (late May through mid-August) at the famed Eugene O’Neill Theater Center—known as “the launchpad of American Theatre”—where the early plays of August Wilson were workshopped. The O’Neill has shaped some of the most important voices and works in American theatre and has revolutionized the way new work is developed.
The fellowship will afford immersive, experiential training in the production area of the selected Fellow’s focus. The fellowship will include travel, housing, all meals, and a weekly stipend of $300.
The selected Fellow will be fully integrated with the O’Neill professional and summer staff to make a season of developing new plays, musicals, cabaret acts, and puppet theater possible, get intensive experience, and participate in all the activities of an O’Neill Summer.
The 2026 August Wilson Fellow will work directly with resident and guest designers, collaborating with the full artistic staff from each of the O’Neill’s four summer conferences to best support the workshops, rehearsals and performances.
If the Fellow is a lighting or sound designer, they will assist the area supervisors with creating and maintaining all design paperwork, assist with the installations and strikes of lighting and sound systems in the O’Neill’s two indoor and two outdoor performance spaces, program and operate the light and sound boards for rehearsals and performances.
If a scenic designer, the Fellow will be assistant to resident designers coordinating “Dream Design” meetings during the Playwrights Conference and participate in the conceptualization of projects during the Puppetry Conference.
If a student technical director, production manager or stage manager, the Fellow will assist in the day-to-day management and coordination of all events and rehearsals.
Eligibility
The August Wilson Fellowship in Theatrical Production, Design, and Theatre Technology is open to applicants of color from all accredited universities or training programs throughout the United States. Self-nominations are accepted. Candidates from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are especially encouraged to apply.
The profile of successful candidates for this Fellowship are highly motivated students who are interested in pursuing a career in Theatrical Production, Design, and/or Technical Theatre.
To Apply
Please provide 
1. A Letter of interest that includes a bio and short answers to the questions:
. What are your goals for your journey in technical theatre, theatre production, and/or design?
. What excites you about technical theatre, theatre production, and/or design?
2. A resume of experience in Theatrical Production, Technical Theatre and/or Design
3. Contact information for at least two references familiar with your work (i.e., faculty, mentor, advisor, director, etc.)
4. Work samples from at least three projects or productions that thoroughly demonstrate your process and abilities. (Example work samples can include (but are not limited to): production photos, rough sketches, ground plans, light plots, cue lists, video clips, sound clips, drafting, renderings, thumbnails, storyboards, behind-the-scenes photos, lists, run sheets, patterns, research, samples, process photos, mockups, budgets, promptbooks, rehearsal paperwork, or production calendars.)
Deadline to Apply: February 15, 2026
Kathryn Ervin, College of Fellows of the American Theatre Board Member, KErvin@csusb.edu
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The 2026 August Wilson Fellowship in Theatrical Production for Students of Color in Design and Theatre Technology
The College of Fellows of the American Theatre, in partnership with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, is proud to honor the legacy of August Wilson, and his impact on theatre in higher education and theatrical production around the world.
We invite applications for the second year of The August Wilson Fellowship in Theatrical Production, Design, and Theatre Technology.
This fellowship, initiated by the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, has been created to address the urgent need to bolster emerging theatre professionals of color by supporting and providing a summer residency with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, in the awardee’s area of specialization.
Our past does not define our future; it is up to us to create our own destiny. August Wilson
The August Wilson Fellowship in Theatrical Production, Design, and Theatre Technology will take place Summer 2026 (late May through mid-August) at the famed Eugene O’Neill Theater Center—known as “the launchpad of American Theatre”—where the early plays of August Wilson were workshopped. The O’Neill has shaped some of the most important voices and works in American theatre and has revolutionized the way new work is developed.
The fellowship will afford immersive, experiential training in the production area of the selected Fellow’s focus. The fellowship will include travel, housing, all meals, and a weekly stipend of $300.
The selected Fellow will be fully integrated with the O’Neill professional and summer staff to make a season of developing new plays, musicals, cabaret acts, and puppet theater possible, get intensive experience, and participate in all the activities of an O’Neill Summer.
The 2026 August Wilson Fellow will work directly with resident and guest designers, collaborating with the full artistic staff from each of the O’Neill’s four summer conferences to best support the workshops, rehearsals and performances.
If the Fellow is a lighting or sound designer, they will assist the area supervisors with creating and maintaining all design paperwork, assist with the installations and strikes of lighting and sound systems in the O’Neill’s two indoor and two outdoor performance spaces, program and operate the light and sound boards for rehearsals and performances.
If a scenic designer, the Fellow will be assistant to resident designers coordinating “Dream Design” meetings during the Playwrights Conference and participate in the conceptualization of projects during the Puppetry Conference.
If a student technical director, production manager or stage manager, the Fellow will assist in the day-to-day management and coordination of all events and rehearsals.
Eligibility
The August Wilson Fellowship in Theatrical Production, Design, and Theatre Technology is open to applicants of color from all accredited universities or training programs throughout the United States. Self-nominations are accepted. Candidates from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are especially encouraged to apply.
The profile of successful candidates for this Fellowship are highly motivated students who are interested in pursuing a career in Theatrical Production, Design, and/or Technical Theatre.
To Apply
Please provide
1. A Letter of interest that includes a bio and short answers to the questions:
. What are your goals for your journey in technical theatre, theatre production, and/or design?
. What excites you about technical theatre, theatre production, and/or design?
2. A resume of experience in Theatrical Production, Technical Theatre and/or Design
3. Contact information for at least two references familiar with your work (i.e., faculty, mentor, advisor, director, etc.)
4. Work samples from at least three projects or productions that thoroughly demonstrate your process and abilities. (Example work samples can include (but are not limited to): production photos, rough sketches, ground plans, light plots, cue lists, video clips, sound clips, drafting, renderings, thumbnails, storyboards, behind-the-scenes photos, lists, run sheets, patterns, research, samples, process photos, mockups, budgets, promptbooks, rehearsal paperwork, or production calendars.)
Deadline to Apply: February 15, 2026
Kathryn Ervin, College of Fellows of the American Theatre Board Member, KErvin@csusb.edu
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