Image from rehearsal of “Seussical the Musical” 2024/25 Season
Our Professional Apprenticeship Program is designed for aspiring theatre artists to bridge the gap between studying theatre and attaining work experience under the mentorship of industry professionals all while building a network of connections to help jumpstart a professional career.
Tyler Welden, our Associate Production Manager, knows what it takes to make the most of the program, because he is a graduate himself.
We spoke with Weldon about his start at The Phoenix Theatre Company as an apprentice and the valuable lessons he learned, how his career evolved, and how prospective apprentices can stand out from the crowd.
Q: What was your career focus? How did you find out about the Professional Apprenticeship Program (PAP) and decide this was the right program for you?
Welden: When I started my career, my focus was in properties. I had worked as a properties artisan at several summer stock companies, including Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre and The REV in upstate New York. At the time I came across the PAP posting, I was freelancing and actively looking for my next position. I had applications out to a few different companies, but my conversations with The Phoenix Theatre Company felt right immediately. The size and scope of the work being produced matched the level and type of projects I wanted to be involved with, and it felt like a place where I could continue to grow both technically and professionally.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory from your experience?
Welden: I don’t know if there’s one specific memory that stands out – the entire year was a really special experience. I loved my apprentice class and the sense of community we built together, especially through potlucks and holidays we celebrated as a group. Being able to work on the scale of productions that The Phoenix Theatre Company produces was also incredibly exciting. Some of my favorite moments were the unexpected ones: stepping outside of props to help backstage with wardrobe or assisting with light hangs. Those experiences gave me a much more well-rounded understanding of how the company operates as a whole.
Q: What is one of your favorite lessons learned from your time as an apprentice?
Welden: The apprenticeship was my first experience working in a year-round regional theatre. Prior to that, I had mostly worked on individual shows, summer stocks, or college productions. This was the first time I had to think beyond the project immediately in front of me and start planning ahead for future shows. Learning how departments overlap, how seasons are structured, and how decisions made early on affect productions months down the line was a huge shift in perspective and something that has stayed with me throughout my career.
Q: What was your career path from apprenticeship to your current role as Associate Production Manager?
Welden: After my apprenticeship at The Phoenix Theatre Company concluded, I returned to The REV for another summer stock season. I was then hired as the props apprentice at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago for their following season. A few months into that position, I received a call from TPTC letting me know that my former props manager had accepted another role and asking if I would be interested in returning as the interim props manager to finish out the 2015 season. I accepted and relocated back to Phoenix very quickly.
That interim role transitioned into a full-time position later that summer, and I remained the props manager until 2018. When the master carpenter position in the scene shop became available, the Associate Technical Director encouraged me to consider it. It felt like an exciting new challenge, so I shifted my focus and accepted the role. In 2021, when the Associate Production Manager position opened, the former APM encouraged me to apply. I’ll admit that this was the scariest transition I’ve made in my career, as it was the first role I stepped into without prior direct experience. I’m incredibly glad I took that leap – I truly enjoy the work and am very happy in my current role.
Q: Do you have any advice for artists and technicians applying for the PAP?
Welden: We typically receive around 100 applications each season, and historically we haven’t always selected applicants with the most experience or the broadest backgrounds. Often, the candidates who stand out are the ones who show the greatest attention to detail in their applications. Their resumes and cover letters are clearly formatted, thoughtfully written, and specifically tailored to The Phoenix Theatre Company. Files are submitted as properly titled PDFs rather than shared links or documents labeled something like “Resume_new_2025_version_5.”
Taking the time to present yourself professionally goes a long way. When I first interviewed with The Phoenix Theatre Company, my future manager told me, “Your resume and cover letter are the first paper props you’ll create for me. If you don’t take the time to create them properly, why would I hire you to do it professionally?” That advice has stuck with me ever since.
Click here for a PDF of the full article.
