By SDCN Staff
Carlsbad, CA–New Village Arts has announced the launch of our upcoming fellowships, internships, and apprenticeship opportunities.
These programs are designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experiences for early-career artists and arts workers through mentorship, production involvement, and professional development. All programs aim to uphold NVA’s commitment to equity, accessibility, and innovation in the arts, with a special emphasis on amplifying underserved voices and creating pathways for long-term careers in theatre.
These new fellowships and internships build upon the success and values of the Dea Hurston Professional Fellowship: NVA’s flagship program dedicated to uplifting underserved voices in San Diego’s theatre community. Inspired by Dea’s legacy of mentorship, access, and artistic excellence, each opportunity reflects our commitment to creating routes for emerging artists and arts professionals.
While applications for the 2025–2026 Dea Hurston Professional Fellowship are now closed, several new programs, including the College Acting Apprenticeship, two Administrative Internships in Production and Marketing, as well as the inaugural Phifer-Collins Stage Management Fellowships, will open for applications this August, expanding the reach and impact of the Dea Hurston Fellowship initiative.
“We are thrilled to be offering so many incredible opportunities to young artists—each one connected to profound people, powerful stories, and transformative experiences that shape not only careers, but futures,” says Artistic Producer, Kali Boston.
The Phifer-Collins Stage Management Fellowship is a paid or college-credit opportunity designed to provide early-career theatre professionals with essential, real-world experience in stage management.
Created in partnership with performer, arts advocate, and former stage manager Anthony Phifer-Collins, who began his professional journey at New Village Arts in 2010, this fellowship is committed to creating accessible pathways into the theatre industry for anyone with the passion to pursue it, regardless of background.
“The idea of creating a fellowship program has been in the back of my mind and in my notes on my phone! for a number of years now,” Phifer-Collins said. “Having started my career as a stage manager at 19 and having found it to be so fulfilling, I wanted to figure out a way to support the next generation of stage managers and also create opportunities for stage managers from any background that may not have access to “typical” theatre career pathways.”
Phifer-Collins says the uncertainty around federal funding for the arts – especially this year – he decided to make it happen with a partnership in New Village Arts.
I’m so excited to finally put this out into the world and give artists the opportunities and amazing support that I experienced early in my career,” says Phifer-Collins.
New Village Arts offers fellowships, internships, artist opportunities
