Experiential Learning with Northern Stage

One of the region's foremost professional theater companies, Northern Stage enjoys an close and collaborative working relationship with the Dartmouth Department of Theater.

Located minutes away from the Dartmouth campus, Northern Stage is one of the region's foremost professional theater companies.

Fall '26 The Experiential (E) Term for students of theater

We are delighted to announce that an Experiential Learning "E-Term" program opportunity will be offered once again in the Fall/Winter of 2025.

Program Description

The Dartmouth Department of Theater, The Stratford Festival (Ontario, Canada) and Northern Stage (a LORT professional regional theater) are partnering to provide students from Dartmouth an immersive educational experience that is unparalleled in undergraduate theater education. Residencies at two professional theaters will give students a deep dive into the field, from the logistics of running a not-for-profit business to the creation of the art itself, in a carefully mentored environment in which they work alongside professional artists and administrators. The concept of the E-term originally grew from the department’s awareness that students in the arts rarely have the opportunity to work alongside professionals, similar to how STEM students assist in a professor’s lab. The E-Term was so named because it exemplifies the promise and potential of experiential education.

Weeks 1-2 will be an experiential residency at the world renowned Stratford Theatre Festival in Ontario, Canada. Students will attend performances, observe rehearsals, and receive master classes in voice/speech/acting/dramaturgy and design from Stratford company members. They will be immersed in all aspects of one of the world's largest and most prestigious theater companies.

Weeks 3-16 will take place at Northern Stage, a LORT professional regional theater in White River Junction, Vermont. Students will perform in a fully professional mainstage production (Frozen directed by Kyle Brand) as well as work in the artistic office on producing and education projects. In addition to hands-on work in production and administration, they will receive specific mentoring and career preparation from Northern Stage staff as well as visiting artists. Under the mentorship of Producing Artistic Director Carol Dunne and BOLD Associate Artistic Director Sarah Wansley, each student will also develop a passion project; past passion projects have included a solo or group performance produced at Northern Stage, an original written work, a well-researched dramaturgical resource for Northern Stage productions, a community outreach or educational initiative, etc. The students will be housed by Northern Stage during their residency and receive a food stipend.

The teaching team for the E-Term includes the following teacher/mentors:

Carol Dunne, Producing Artistic Director of Northern Stage and Senior Lecturer of Theater at Dartmouth (Princeton University, MFA University of Wisconsin)
Antoni Cimolino, Artistic Director, Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario.
Sarah Wansley, BOLD Associate Artistic Director at Northern Stage (Columbia University, MFA UC San Diego)
Kevin David Thomas and Samuel Empey, Co-Directors of Education at Northern Stage
Peter Hackett, Professor of Theater at Dartmouth (Dartmouth College, MFA UC San Diego)

Important Dates E-Term: Fall 2026

January 12, 2026 - Information Session about the Experiential Term

March 2, 2026 - Fall 2026 E-term applications due. In order to participate, students must be on an off-term in Fall 2026.

April 3, 2026 - Students selected for E-term.

August 31, 2026 - Students travel to Stratford Festival for two week experiential program. Pearson Airport will travel by van to the Festival.

September 12, 2026 - Students in E-term travel to Northern Stage and begin their artistic office work and passion projects.

October 10, 2026 - Students begin rehearsals for mainstage Frozen, Northern Stage’s holiday production.

January 3, 2027 - E-Term concludes

Student Testimonials

For us young artists, the Stratford Festival was a culminating venture into all of the potential of an artistic career after Dartmouth. Such care was taken to accommodate us students and excite our inner passions for art, theater, and human expression. Every connection felt authentic and personal, and every moment felt like a window into the creative future all artists dream of. I left Stratford with new passions and new friends to grow alongside. The most powerful moments for me were those where I got to meet, chat, and work with all of the individuals who make the Stratford Festival a success. Hearing their stories and watching their work efforts come to life on the stage was such a unique and inspiring experience. In those moments, I never felt more certain that I was in the right place in my life and my career.
Kai Carenz ‘25

My E-Term at Northern Stage was nothing short of incredible. Within only a few months, I performed in my first regional production, assisted with administrative and dramaturgical work, taught a full Shakespeare curriculum to young students, and carried out my own passion project. I could not be more grateful for such an opportunity to broaden both my professional and creative horizons.
Hannah Brooks '26

I am forever grateful to Northern Stage for my E-term!! I had such an incredible time working with artists from so many different backgrounds as well as the staff who have experience in so many different fields in both the theater and nonprofit worlds. Northern Stage empowers its community and does its best to create spaces that are truly for everyone. I miss my e-term already and wouldn't change it for the world!
Sarah Grace Williams ’25