JEDI Artist Fellowship Program

JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
Artist Fellowship Program

Main Street Theater’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Artist Fellowship Program is a paid artistic leadership development program for early-career artists of color. Applicants submit a resume and portfolio. The selected fellows will be assigned to a production either with the MainStage or Theater for Youth programs in their area of interest (Directing, Design, or Stage Management) while being given access to additional professional development opportunities within the Main Street Theater organization.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 – 2025 ARE NOW OPEN.

PLEASE SEE BELOW.

2023 – 2024 JEDI Artist Fellows

Nychollete Easter (Directing Fellow) Main Street Theater: Debut. Nychollete Easter is a Houston based director and Teaching Artist! Nychollete has been doing theatre for 10+ years and has worked with several regional theaters including The St. Louis Black Repertory Company and The Alley Theater. Nychollete recently received her BA in acting and directing from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Nychollete strives to tell stories that represent a diverse group of characters and people! Nychollete is very excited to be back in her hometown and hopes to bring the importance of the arts back to her community!


Jessica Jaye (Directing Fellow) Main Street Theater: (Actor) The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963; Stages: (Actor) POTUS, cullud wattah; Rec Room Arts: (Actor) IS GOD IS; Ensemble Theatre: (Director) Theater YPP: Fame, (Actor) Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, Brer Rabbit; Encore Theatre: (Actor) Isolation, Macbeth; Orlando Shakes: (Actor) A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Fade to Black Fest: (Director) Measure of a Man, Just Like Family, (Actor) Choices, Hot Potato, To Each His Own, Sweetie’s Confession; UCF Theater: The Rover, The Last Paving Stone; TSU Theater: Daughters of the Moon, Presidential Timber, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, For Colored Girls…, Marcus: or the Secret of Sweet. Education: M.F.A., University of Central Florida, Acting; B.A., Texas Southern University, Theater Performance.


Nori Thach (Stage Management Fellow) Main Street Theater: Carmela Full of Wishes, (Stage Management Intern) Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley; San Jacinto Community College Theatre: Mary Poppins The Musical, Shrek The Musical. Education: B.A., Fine Arts; A.A., Fine Arts.

Application Information & Important Dates

Application Deadline | Rolling
Candidate Interviews | Rolling
Fellowship Date Range | May 2024 – August 2025 Candidates will be selected for one production on either the MainStage or Theater for Youth during the 2024/2025 season.

See full application below.

Eligibility

  • Identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color
  • Resides in Houston or the surrounding area
  • Applicant’s experience must indicate their intention to pursue a professional career in directing, stage management or design for the theater.
  • Directing fellows will attend auditions, production meetings, rehearsals, and technical rehearsals of their designated production.
  • Stage Management fellows will attend auditions, production meetings, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and all performances of their designated production.
  • Design fellows will attend production meetings and assist their design mentor as needed, both on and off site, and be present for all technical rehearsals.
  • Min. age: 22

Compensation

  • $1,500 stipend is provided to each Fellow

Benefits 

  • Professional development and networking opportunities
  • Complimentary tickets to Main Street Theater productions
  • Mentorship opportunities at Main Street Theater and in the Houston theater community

For more information or if you have questions about the Fellowship, please contact Rebecca Greene Udden, Executive Artistic Director, at rudden@mainstreettheater.com

Apply:

MST JEDI Fellowship Program Application

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Do you have daytime availability?(Required)
Do you have reliable transportation?(Required)

REFERENCES:

Input three employment references in the field below (if not already included in your resume or CV) Please include each reference's Name and Contact Information (phone and email)

First Reference

Name(Required)
Second Reference

Name(Required)
Third Reference

Name(Required)

APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR UPLOAD:

  • Letter of Interest, no longer than two (2) pages, that addresses the following:
    • Why are you interested in the Fellowship? What attracts you to this particular Fellowship?
    • What are your goals as an artist? Where do you want to be in a year? How will this Fellowship help you achieve your goals?
    • Tell us about yourself: your experiences, dreams. What do you bring to this cohort of Fellows, mentors, and Main Street Theater staff?
    • Why are you a fit for this particular Fellowship?
    • Have you been mentored, or mentored someone before?
  • Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from arts professionals
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