The Professional Theatre Program for Emerging Artists (PTP) was created for aspiring theatre artists to gain work experience in a professional theatrical setting. The PTP nurtures, supports, and develops a community of local professional theatre artists and provides a place for students to get real-world creative experience. Through the program, more than 200 developing artists have received paid mentorships, both on stage and behind the scenes, getting them one step closer to making their dreams come true. Many past participants have moved on to work in the field professionally. The program, a model for other professional theatres nationwide, supports the education system already established and enhances opportunities between theory and practice across the artistic and skills-based curriculum. The PTP supports and enhances existing abilities and provides an entry point for aspiring theatre professionals to develop meaningful relationships with the community of theatre makers that work at SLAC.
“When I had the opportunity to participate in the creative process for You Will Get Sick, I assisted the set designer Dennis Hassan, who was also my professor at USU. It was an immersive experience and also very hands-on. I was able to attend every meeting, from the first video call we had with the director, when we talked about the concept of the design and what he wanted to express, until the opening night. I went to the first reading and designer presentation, where I met the cast and production team. It was great to be part of the realization of the scale model and renderings to show everyone the set design. I attended the rehearsals during tech week, and I saw how the show was taking shape. That showed me the entire process, including some of the building and painting of the set. I learned different things from each step, and I applied that learning to my MFA studies and following designs. Something that I really valued and appreciated was how the whole team wanted to cooperate with each other to get the best results, even if it meant going beyond their area of expertise/work. The way they thought of the audience, the ideas of each designer, and the safety of the cast, crew, and audience. Everything was very detailed, and that was something I took with me to the shows I worked on after You Will Get Sick.”
- Melanie Varela, Utah State University. Assistant Scenic Designer for You Will Get Sick by Noah Diaz, 2024.
"The Professional Theatre Program has helped me greatly in learning about the real-world experiences and application of Theatre Design. It has given me insight into my professional growth, personal style, and provided me with both difficult challenges and rewarding victories!"
- Anna Blaes, University of Utah. Assistant Props Designer for SLAC's Summer Show: Close Encounters in the Beehive by Olivia Custodio, Penelope Caywood, and David Knoell, 2024.
Our thanks to the following foundations and corporations for their generous support of this program:
- The John and Marcia Price Family Foundation
- Terence Kearns Stephens Charitable Trust
- B.W. Bastian Foundation
If you are interested in sponsoring this program, please contact Erika Ahlin Bird, Director of Development, at 801-363-7522 or
