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Bowser Administration Announces Historic Stagehand Apprenticeship Program
for District Residents Creative Economy Career Access Program
(Washington, DC) – The Bowser Administration announces the launch of the Creative Economy Career Access Program: Stagehand Apprenticeship (CECAP: Stagehand). This new on-the-job training program will offer underserved District of Columbia residents access to a first of its kind apprenticeship program, providing technical stagehand training, mentorship, and a pathway to union membership.
“We are excited to develop and establish this innovative Apprenticeship Program as a new pathway to the middle class for our creative community,” said Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment Director Angie M. Gates. “The program was developed as part of the 202Creates Initiative and is a testament to the Administration’s commitment to uplifting District residents and providing unique opportunities to establish sustainable careers in the creative economy.
The inaugural year of the CECAP: Stagehand Apprenticeship Program will administer two, six-month training cohorts. Each cohort will provide four District residents an immersive paid, on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunity. The training provider for CECAP: Stagehand Apprenticeship Program is GLP DC, a professional staging and lighting services company based in Washington, DC for over three decades.
“GLP DC is excited to be a part of this exciting new program,” said Gary Pair, President of GLP DC. “The team at GLP DC looks forward to offering training, guidance and mentorship to District of Columbia residents that aspire to build careers as stagehand technicians.”
A stagehand is a creative technician that works backstage or behind the scenes at performance venues, theaters, soundstages, television studios, or convention centers. Stagehand work includes: rigging, scenic carpentry, props, lighting, sound/audio, audiovisual support, production design, drafting, and special effects for performances, broadcasts, or special events. The national trade union for the stagehand craft is the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or IATSE).
The District resident trainees will train at some of the most preeminent entertainment, special event, and sports venues in the District, including the Entertainment and Sports Arena, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the DC Armory, and DAR Constitution Hall.
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