Oregon Shakespeare Festival FAIR Experience 2027: Paid Theatre Internships, Assistantships and Fellowships

Oregon Shakespeare Festival FAIR Experience 2027: Paid Theatre Internships, Assistantships and Fellowships

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Fellowship, Assistantship, Internship, and Residency (FAIR) Experience is accepting applications for its 2027 cohort. It is a family of paid professional-development opportunities at one of the United States’ major regional theatres, rather than a single scholarship with one standardized award. Depending on the position, participants can receive hourly pay, a stipend, housing, round-trip travel, or a combination of those benefits.

The programme is intended for theatre artists, artisans, and arts administrators at several career stages. Early-career applicants may find a fit in the FAIR Internship programme. Applicants with more training or experience may be considered for assistantships. Mid-career and established directors can apply for the Phil Killian Directing Fellowship, while the August Wilson Directing Fellowship is aimed at a theatre artist with a demonstrated commitment to Wilson’s work and previous experience on a fully produced August Wilson play.

OSF says applications for the 2027 season are open. The official page does not publish one universal closing date, and available positions can change as departments update their listings. That makes the application portal the controlling source for the exact role, qualifications, contract dates, and requested materials. A strong applicant should choose a specific designation and position before preparing a portfolio; a generic application to “FAIR” will not show the fit that an individual department is looking for.

FAIR Experience 2027 at a glance

The official page is unusually clear about the distinction between the designations. Read the benefits as position-specific, not as a promise that every FAIR participant receives housing or travel. In particular, OSF says housing and round-trip travel are not provided for internships, while assistantships normally include both. Local participants generally do not receive housing if they live within 50 miles, subject to exceptional-circumstance discussions and the relevant labour agreements.

What the 2027 programme offers

FAIR is built around professional practice inside OSF’s repertory-theatre environment. Participants work with experienced professionals while also taking part in shared educational activities. The cohort attends weekly FAIR Forums, along with activities such as meet-and-greets, hall runs, production tours, and changeovers. The season ends with a capstone address, which gives each participant a structured way to reflect on the work and contribute creatively or administratively.

The programme’s value is therefore broader than the cash component. An intern receives an opportunity to build hands-on experience and a network inside a major regional theatre. An assistant receives more responsibility and a longer contract, with practical support that can make relocation possible. A directing fellow gains close exposure to OSF’s rotating repertory model and works alongside senior artistic leadership. Applicants should describe the opportunity they need, not simply say that they want theatre experience.

OSF describes the FAIR Experience as serving aspiring, emerging, mid-career, and established practitioners. Its statement of purpose also emphasizes equity, diversity, belonging, and professional development. Those principles are relevant to fit, but they do not replace the role-specific qualifications. Your application still needs to show what you can do in the department or fellowship and how you would contribute to the season.

Choosing the right FAIR designation

The FAIR Internship programme is the most natural route for an early-career or emerging artist, artisan, or arts administrator seeking advanced hands-on experience. Interns work under the mentorship of experienced OSF professionals and learn about day-to-day operations in a large regional theatre. These roles are part-time, normally 15–25 hours a week, and receive an hourly salary. Because housing and round-trip travel are not supplied for internships, calculate the full cost of Ashland-area participation before applying.

Assistantships are intended for emerging and working practitioners who bring prior training or experience. The work carries significant responsibility and is tailored to the department. OSF states that assistantships are full-time, 30–40 or more hours a week, typically lasting four to eight months. They include an hourly salary, housing, and round-trip travel. This is a stronger fit for someone ready to be accountable for meaningful production or administrative work, not someone looking only for observation.

The Phil Killian Directing Fellowship lasts six months and is designed for mid-career to established theatre directors with substantial professional experience. The fellow assistant-directs two repertory productions and shadows Artistic Director Tim Bond, gaining insight into both the artistry and strategy of leading a regional company. The official page says the fellowship includes housing, travel, and a stipend; it does not publish the stipend amount.

The August Wilson Directing Fellowship is a separate full-time, immersive opportunity. It is designed for a mid-career theatre artist who has previously worked on a fully produced August Wilson play as an actor or director. The fellow assists Artistic Director Tim Bond with the direction of King Hedley II. A credible application should make the connection to Wilson’s work concrete through production credits, responsibilities, and an explanation of the applicant’s artistic engagement.

Residencies are not a general self-funded alternative. OSF says residency applicants must be sponsored by an OSF company or staff member and supported by grant or institutional funding. Self-represented or self-supported candidates do not qualify at this time. If you do not have that sponsorship structure, focus on an internship, assistantship, or fellowship listing instead.

Eligibility and practical constraints

FAIR does not have one universal education or age requirement. Eligibility depends on the designation and the specific role. The page identifies the broad career-stage audiences, then tells applicants to use each application for full qualifications and details. Treat the individual listing as decisive. A strong general résumé will not overcome a missing specialist skill, a required production credit, or an inability to work the contract dates.

International applicants are welcome if they hold a valid work visa that permits employment in the United States. OSF does not say that it sponsors visas through the FAIR page, so applicants should not assume that submitting an application creates an immigration route. Confirm work authorization before investing in a lengthy portfolio and disclose your practical status accurately.

Availability is another real eligibility issue. The season begins in January, but each participant’s start date varies by contract. Assistantships may run four to eight months and require 30–40 or more hours each week. Fellowships are full-time, and internships still require a reliable part-time commitment. If you are in school, employed elsewhere, or dependent on a specific travel schedule, map those constraints against the role listing before applying.

OSF also says applicants should note which shows interest them. The theatre may not be able to match a participant with those exact shows, but the information helps it understand preferences and guide possible placements. Use that prompt to show informed interest in the repertory and department rather than listing productions without explanation.

Pay, housing, travel, and what is not confirmed

The FAIR page confirms compensation categories but not dollar amounts. FAIR interns receive an hourly salary. Assistantships receive an hourly salary plus housing and round-trip travel. The two listed directing fellowships provide housing, travel, and a stipend. Applicants should use the role-specific application to confirm the current rate, contract terms, payroll schedule, and any union or employment conditions before accepting an offer.

Do not convert the phrase “stipend” into a guessed annual salary, and do not assume that an internship carries the assistantship package. The official FAQ explicitly says that housing and round-trip travel are not provided for internships. It also says OSF generally does not provide housing to people who live within 50 miles, although exceptional circumstances may be discussed. Those details materially change the financial value of an offer.

The programme is in Southern Oregon, and the application page describes OSF’s theatre environment rather than a remote placement. Plan for the cost of moving, local transportation, meals, and any period before payroll begins. If you need a visa, ask about the employer and role’s authorization conditions early. These are planning questions, not reasons to insert unsupported numbers into an application.

How to apply through the official portal

Start on OSF’s FAIR page and follow the Apply now link to the current recruitment portal. Review every available 2027 role and choose the one that matches your experience. The page says all application materials must be uploaded directly through the portal; OSF does not accept submissions by postal service or email. If the portal gives a role-specific deadline or document list, use that information over this guide.

Prepare a focused résumé or CV, a role-specific cover letter or statement if requested, and the work samples named by the listing. The FAIR FAQ says the Work Experience section is intentionally open to interpretation, so use it to highlight the experience and potential most relevant to the role. For a technical position, explain your responsibilities and tools. For an administrative role, show the scale and outcomes of your work. For a directing fellowship, make your credits and artistic responsibilities easy to verify.

If you are interested in particular shows, name them and explain why. A short, specific connection to OSF’s repertory model is more useful than a generic statement that you admire theatre. Where a role asks for a portfolio, order the samples so the first items demonstrate the core skill. Label collaborators and your exact contribution; reviewers need to understand what was yours.

Before submission, check that every file opens, uses the requested format, and is attached to the correct role. Save a copy of the completed application and note the role title, portal URL, and any confirmation message. If the portal has a technical problem, contact OSF through the support route provided on the application page rather than emailing materials as an informal substitute.

Preparation strategy for a stronger application

The most persuasive FAIR applications connect past work, the selected OSF role, and the learning goal. Write that connection in concrete terms: what have you already done, what responsibility are you ready to take on, and what part of OSF’s repertory process would help you grow? This structure works for an intern without pretending to have mid-career experience, and for a director without reducing a substantial career to a list of credits.

Use evidence. Name productions, departments, dates, responsibilities, audiences, budgets, technical systems, or outcomes when they are relevant and truthful. If a project was collaborative, state your contribution. Reviewers can then distinguish hands-on experience from general interest. For the August Wilson fellowship, identify the fully produced Wilson play and your role in it. For the Phil Killian fellowship, show the scale and type of directing work that prepares you to assistant-direct repertory productions.

Request references early if the listing asks for them. Choose people who can describe your work habits, judgment, collaboration, and ability to learn under pressure. A reference who only confirms that you attended a programme is weaker than someone who can explain what you delivered and how you responded to feedback.

Finally, plan for the programme you are actually applying to. An internship applicant should budget for an hourly, part-time placement without housing. An assistantship applicant should be ready for a longer full-time contract. A fellowship applicant should be able to explain why OSF’s artistic leadership and repertory model are the right next step. This practical fit is part of readiness, not an afterthought.

Common mistakes to avoid

Applying to the umbrella programme without choosing a role. FAIR is a set of designations and department listings. Name the position and tailor the evidence.

Assuming every participant receives housing and travel. Those benefits are described for assistantships and fellowships, while OSF expressly excludes them for internships.

Ignoring work authorization. International applicants need a valid U.S. work visa permitting employment. The official page does not promise visa sponsorship.

Using the wrong career level. The directing fellowships are not beginner training. The Phil Killian opportunity expects substantial professional experience, and the August Wilson opportunity expects a prior fully produced Wilson play.

Sending materials by email. OSF says materials must be uploaded through the portal and that email and postal submissions are not accepted.

Treating a show preference as a guarantee. OSF asks for interests to understand candidates and guide placements; it does not promise assignment to a particular show.

Waiting for a universal deadline. The official FAIR page says applications are open but does not give one closing date. Check the live listing now and monitor it for role-specific updates.

FAQ

Is the FAIR Experience a scholarship?

No. It is a paid professional-development opportunity tied to work at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Compensation and support depend on the designation and contract.

Are internships paid?

Yes. OSF says FAIR internships receive an hourly salary and normally involve 15–25 hours per week. The exact rate is not published on the general FAIR page.

Do assistantships include housing?

Yes, the official description says assistantships include housing and round-trip travel as well as an hourly salary. Confirm the exact terms in the individual application.

Do fellowships include a stipend?

Yes. OSF says the Phil Killian and August Wilson directing fellowships include housing, travel, and a stipend. The amount is not stated on the general information page.

Can international applicants apply?

Yes, if they have a valid U.S. work visa that permits employment. The page does not state that OSF supplies visa sponsorship.

When does the 2027 season begin?

OSF says the season begins in January, but each FAIR participant’s contract start date varies.

Can I reuse last year’s application?

No. OSF says applicants must reapply to express interest for the current year, although an account in the portal may be referred in the future.

Official links and next steps

Read the Oregon Shakespeare Festival FAIR Experience page first. It is the authoritative source for the 2027 cohort, designations, programme structure, benefits, FAQ, and the link to the live application portal. Then open the current role listing, confirm the closing date and qualifications, and upload materials through that portal.

If you are unsure which designation fits, compare your current evidence with the role descriptions: early-career hands-on learning points toward an internship; relevant training plus readiness for responsibility points toward an assistantship; substantial directing experience points toward the Phil Killian fellowship; and a fully produced August Wilson credit is central to the August Wilson fellowship. Apply only when the role, schedule, work authorization, and financial terms are workable for you.