PROFESSIONAL COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
Hiring through SETC: The National Theatre for Children ‘SETC provides us opportunities to meet talented professional actors from all over the country.’ - Joe Heaney, Casting Manager SETC recently caught up with Joe Heaney, casting manager for The National Theatre for Children in Minneapolis, MN.
When was your theatre founded? And what is your mission? The National Theatre for Children (NTC) was founded in 1978 as Small Change Theatre. NTC’s mission is to impart knowledge and skills that empower students and their families through live theatre to create meaningful change in their lives, in their homes and in their communities. Actors Evan Jackson and Lilly Lancaster perform NTC’s show Ready or Not at Birch Grove School for the Arts in Brooklyn Park, MN. Ready or Not is designed for K-5 grade students and their parents and focuses on emergency preparedness in the home and at school. The in-school program is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Ready Nation Ambassador program.
What type of shows are you mainly known for? We produce original educational shows that teach, entertain and inspire students of all ages. Our productions are exclusively touring productions. Typically, we perform in school auditoriums and gymnasiums. Shows we are currently producing include Energy Endgame, Kilowatt Kitchen, Once Upon a Flame and The Aqua League.
How does SETC assist you in your operations? NTC has been attending SETC Professional Auditions for over 10 years. The SETC Professional Auditions are a great way for us to find professionals year in and year out.
Are your actors and crew all paid professionals? All of our actors are paid professionals. All of our tech is done in-house by our technical director, Nate Metcalf, who also holds the record for most tours with NTC.
What other opportunities for work and development do you provide for your employees? Occasionally, NTC hires actors who have toured with us for part-time office work scheduling school performances. In fact, most of our office employees are former NTC actors.
What is the most unusual or interesting fact about your theatre? One hundred percent of our shows are original and written in-house.
More info: nationaltheatre.com www.setc.org
September / October 2019
6
