Summer  2023
Theater Program in Japan, India, & Greece – Applications Open

To launch the 15th year of our Apprentice Program, One Year Lease Theater Company (OYL) is thrilled to announce that we are expanding the program!

OYL International Apprentice Program
June 15-July 12 of 2023:          JAPAN & INDIA
July 13-August 14 of 2023:     GREECE

For Summer 2023 applicants are invited to apply to either:
·       Two full months in Japan, India, & Greece OR
·       One month in Japan + India OR
·       One month in Greece

OYL invites you to apply to our unique Apprentice Program this summer for a powerful immersive theater experience designed to train and inspire YOU - the individual artist - and deepen your understanding of physical, ensemble-driven theater in a global context.

Come to the remote, breath-taking regions of Lake Nojiri, Japan; Vardnahalli Village, India; and Papingo, Greece and reach for a whole new level in your theater craft and cultural experience.

The 2023 Apprentice Program will be led by Ianthe DemosLeon IngulsrudAmanda CulpNatalie LomonteGeorgia Tsangaraki, and more artists of OYL. 
 
More information about the Program is available HERE
Applications are accepted online until March 15, 2023 HERE.  
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis so applying early is encouraged.

YOU WILL…

In Japan, India, & Greece:
·       Take acting masterclasses
·       Train with OYL’s acting ensemble
·       Sit in on and observe OYL’s workshops and rehearsals
·       Study and build a production of Medea

In Japan (June 15-29):
·       Visit ancient temples and shrines
·       See a Kabuki performance at the Kabuki-Za theater in Tokyo
·       Learn about the Tategahana Paleolithic Site and visit the Naumann Elephant museum
·       Study the writings of Zeami
·       Experience Japanese village life
·       Hike, Bicycle, live and work in the lush mountains of Nagano prefecture
·       Sail Boats on Lake Nojiri
·       Enjoy Japanese cuisine 
·       Learn the aesthetics of Haiku poetry

In India (June 30-July 12):
·       Live in residency at Infinite Souls Artists’ Retreat in the South Indian state of Karnataka
·       Trek the scenic Savandurga Hill–one of the largest monoliths in Asia 
·       Explore the ruins of Tipu Sultan’s summer palace in Bangalore
·       Attend a performance at Ranga Shankara, Bangalore’s premiere theater
·       Work alongside renowned Indian performers, musicians, and directors
·       Experience the beauty of the South Indian monsoon season
·       Study the Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu
·       Participate in daily Iyengar Yoga practice
·       Learn about Hindu mythology and read some of the ancient Sanskrit epic The Ramayana
·       Enjoy South Indian cuisine, coffee and tea

In Greece (July 13-August 14):
·       Perform in village squares in the Epirus region in Greece
·       Learn and Perform in Greek
·       Visit the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum
·       See a show at the ancient Epidaurus Amphitheater
·       Experience a day on the Ionian coast
·       Hike, Live, and Work in the breath-taking Vikos-Aoos National UNESCO geopark
·       Participate in local village festivals

About the OYL Apprentice Program & its History:

Join OYL Theater Company and an array of working theater professionals from around the world in the remote mountains of Greece, the South Indian state of Karnataka, and Lake Nojiri in Japan to hone your craft, engage with the art of collaboration and connect to the ancient roots of theater.

Guest artists through the years have included Ellen McLaughlinRinde Eckert, Gabrielle CodyBryony LaveryRashDashAdrienne KapsteinJim CalderShira MilikowskyKim WeildAgelita TsougouChristopher Grabowski. Since 2007 professors from Vassar College, Columbia University, PACE University, NYU, Carnegie and Harvard University have worked with OYL to shape and lead the program.

Over 178 students have worked with OYL as Apprentices in Greece since 2007 from Adelphi, Atlantic Acting School, Arizona State, Bard, BU, CalArts, Carnegie Mellon, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Columbia, Connecticut College, Emory, Fredonia State, Harvard, Ithaca, Marymount, Mcgill, Muhlenberg, Northwestern, NYU, Oberlin, Otterbein, Pace, Princeton, Purdue, Reed, Rice, Southern Methodist University, SUNY Purchase, Temple, Tisch, University of the Arts, University of Memphis, University of Michigan, USC, Universidad de Chile, Vassar, and Wesleyan.

About OYL Theater Company:

One Year Lease Theater Company (OYL) believes in the power of creating theater, building community, honoring a chorus of diverse voices, questioning our past, and re-imagining our future.  Founded in 2001, OYL is a professional theater company based in New York City with a one-of-a-kind Apprentice Program in northern Greece. OYL is an artistic fulcrum around which theater, education, training, and inspiration spins. Since our inception we have advocated for work that is collaborative and risk-taking.

OYL’s work has been critically acclaimed as “first rate young actors” (Charles Isherwood, The New York Times) “theatrical witchcraft” (Scott Brown, New York Magazine), “riveting theater” (Ed Siegel, Boston’s NPR), “fiery and fantastical” (Eric Sundermann, Village Voice), “screams of novelty” (Alexandra Villarreal, Huffington Post), “playfully poisonous” (Terry Byrne, Boston Globe), “a gleaming portrait of our collective contemporary existence” (Andy Propst, American Theater Web), “a celebration of theatrical energy” (Gerald Berkowitz, The Stage), "a captivating, visceral spectacle" (Morgan Kinney, Houstonia Magazine), "exquisite" (Suzanna Bowling, Times Square Chronicles).

OYL has received a 2018 Drama Desk Nomination (Sound Design, Balls), 2016 Drama Desk Nomination (Original Score, please excuse my dear aunt sally), a 2016 Edinburgh Stage Award (Best Ensemble, please excuse my dear aunt sally), a 2016 Edinburgh Stage Award (Best Ensemble, please  excuse my dear aunt sally), a 2017 Houston Theater Award for Best Sound (Balls); and 2017 Houston Theater Award Nominations for Best New Play; Best Set and Property Design (Balls).
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