Apprenticeships

       

                           

Come spend two weeks in rural Vermont, immersed in the daily hands-on work of our printshop and press!

Location: Glover, Vermont, USA
Duration: 2 weeks—Apprentices are expected to participate for the full two weeks. All Apprenticeships start on a Tuesday (arrival day) and end on a Sunday (departure day).

Cost: $1100 for two weeks.

2025 Dates for our FOUR Apprenticeships:

-June 3–15

-July 1–13

-August 5–17

-September 2–14

Printers, artists, dreamers, painters, and makers of all kinds are invited to work with us!

Graphic images—chiseled into masonite, printed and painted on cloth and paper—have been an integral part of Bread & Puppet Theater’s shows since the early sixties. Peter Schumann, Bread & Puppet’s founder, director, and artist, created and continues to create the contents—both pictures and texts—of nearly all our publications and posters. Our emphasis is on the utilitarian uses of art, for such vital activities as celebration, decoration, information, argumentation, rumination—and puppetry!

We are committed to making Bread & Puppet a space of thriving and belonging for all.

Financial Accessibility
ALL applicants will be considered regardless of their ability to pay. We understand that our fees are too high for many people who might want to apply. Therefore, if you are selected for the apprenticeship program, we will work with your financial situation to enable you to attend. If you can afford to pay the full price or have access to outside funding, your support helps us offer fee reductions for those who need it.

A Note for College Students
Talk to your professors about potential college grant funding to help cover your apprenticeship fees. Many colleges have funds earmarked for students participating in summer apprenticeships. It may also be possible for students to receive college credit for completing the Bread & Puppet apprenticeship.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Solveig: solveig@breadandpuppetpress.org.

Program Structure
The apprenticeship program is focused on active engagement with the ongoing work of the Bread & Puppet Press rather than a structured syllabus. We are not a school and do not conduct classes in printmaking; instead, apprentices will develop printing skills by participating in daily production. They will also have access to facilities for their own work during certain hours and off days.

The apprenticeship is an immersive, often intense, communal living and working experience. To be a B&P apprentice is to be “thrown into” the ongoing life and productions of the community and to learn by engaging with this often chaotic but highly structured environment. Apprentices need to be self-motivated and adaptable. There will be theater apprentices on the farm at the same time, making for a fun and lively experience.

What to Expect
Apprentices will engage in different aspects of Bread and Puppet Press production, which may include:

-Printing masonite cuts

-Painting banners and posters

-Setting type and printing on our Vandercook SP-20

-Special projects preparing for summer exhibitions, such as printing circus flags and banners

All meals are included and prepared by the Bread & Puppet cooks, with collective help, except on Mondays (our weekly day off). On this day, apprentices will be responsible for their own meals. Dietary allergies and needs will be accommodated. Everyone, including press apprentices, is expected to contribute to food preparation and cleanup. We use outhouses, conserve water, compost leftovers, and generally try to be thrifty.

Accommodations
The accommodations are simple, even rugged. Apprentices will be camping, using outhouses, and have minimal access to running water. It can be wet and chilly even in June—be prepared to rough it! Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to provide more accessible options due to regional housing restrictions.

Requirements

-Apprentices must be 18 or older.

-Dogs, drugs, and underage drinking are not permitted.

-Sorry, no trailers or campers.

Application Instructions

If you're interested in applying for more than one apprenticeship session, please feel free to do so using the same application letter. Just make sure to mention your interest in multiple sessions within the first paragraph of your letter, and indicate if you have a preference for one session over another.

A HARD COPY OF YOUR LETTER OF INTEREST IS A REQUIREMENT.

LETTERS OF INTEREST MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 1, 2025.

IN THE FIRST SENTENCE OF YOUR LETTER, PLEASE WRITE YOUR NAME, AGE, WHERE YOU ARE LIVING, AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. All communication after the initial letter will be via email.

This is a chance for us to get to know you. Please let us know why you are drawn to the Bread & Puppet Press apprenticeship. What skills, interests, proclivities, talents, or life experiences make you particularly suited for this program? Additionally, feel free to mention any printing experience you may have. You may also include a couple of pieces of artwork, though just sending a letter is fine. A resume is not necessary, but if you really want to include one, you may.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Bread and Puppet Press Apprenticeship
Solveig Schumann
753 Heights Rd
Glover, VT 05839 

Or

Emailed to:

solveig@breadandpuppetpress.org