1985. New York is falling apart. In the midst of the AIDS crisis, six interwoven lives contend with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell. A dying young man is abandoned by his partner. A closeted Mormon lawyer grapples with truth, family and love. A notorious powerbroker denies the disease eating him alive. And an Angel has arrived, with a message that won’t wait. Across two brilliant parts, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winning ‘Gay Fantasia on National Themes’ by Tony Kushner cuts to the heart of politics and relationships in the 1980s as well as the present. Rarely performed but often hailed as one of the greatest works of the 20th century, Angels in America promises an incomparably gripping, emotional and adventurous two nights of theatre in Cambridge. ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION For the first time in history, both parts of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America are being produced together in Cambridge. This new production will be presented across two weeks at the ADC Theatre, England’s oldest student theatre. The first part, Millennium Approaches, will take place from Tuesday 16 - Saturday 20 February 2027; the second part, Perestroika, will follow from Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15 May 2027, with both parts having evening performances at 7pm and Saturday matinees at 2pm. This production of Angels aims to be an electric, epic event that roars off the stage. With slick minimalist design, virtuosic performances and moments of breathtaking theatrical magic, Kushner’s writing takes the forefront in a version that interrogates the pressures of illness, corruption and love. Both remembering the AIDS crisis and examining the political parallels between 1985 and today, Angels invites us to look deeply at our world, with unmissable drama, laughter and entertainment along the way. Don’t miss out on joining this unashamedly ambitious and epic student production, and a once-in-a-generation full performance of a modern masterpiece. ________________ ABOUT THE TEAM Dhyan Ruparel, Director: “I can’t really begin to explain how excited I am to be staging this play, in full, in this wonderful theatre. My love for Angels cannot be understated: from being thrilled by its brilliant, resonant writing when I was 12, to nearly a full decade of hunting down productions (across the country and in archives), re-reading fervently and now researching and imagining, with as much detail as possible, a production for the ADC. The magic of Kushner’s writing simply speaks for itself: irreverent, human, hilarious at times and emotionally devastating at others. I can’t think of a better, more ambitious play for a student theatre to be programming right now - and I’m elated to now be finding the right team for it.” Joseph Henderson, Producer: “It’s so exciting to embark on this journey in this amazing theatre. It is a play that gives hope that a better future is possible, despite a world that feels ever more divided. I’m looking forward to working alongside a team that not only stages a show that moves audiences to choose unity, but is a feat of passion and collaboration itself. Angels is a dream project to collaborate on with a joined company over two shows at such an epic scale.” As Director and Producer, Dhyan and Joseph have previously worked on Medea after Euripides and Spider’s Web by Agatha Christie at the ADC Theatre, as well as Sondheim’s Follies at the Robinson Brickhouse Theatre. Together, we are passionate about creating work that feels ambitious, polished and positively challenging, while sustaining a culture of collaboration and community amongst our companies. In Angels, we can’t wait to take on our biggest project yet. PROJECT DETAILS Angels is taking place as two ADC mainshows, across Lent and Easter terms. The aim is to create one cohesive production, but also to recognise the individual differences between the two parts, which we hope will be reflected in their design, direction and performance. We are delighted to be opening a first round of creative team roles for this project. For each of the role descriptions, there is more information about how your role may work; in most cases, depending on interest and applications, you will either be focused on one part, or working across both, and can specify preferences in your application. The roles we are opening today are: * Co-director(s) and assistant director(s) * Co-producer(s) * Production Manager * Head of Stage * Head of Carpentry * Set Designer * Lighting Designer * Costume Designer * Sound Designer / Composer * Stage Magician * Stage Manager * Deputy Stage Manager * Arts, Events and Education Officer * Welfare Officer Future rounds will include technical roles such as Chief Electrician and Constructors, as well as more production and direction roles including Accent Coach, Assistant Producers, Photographers, Videographers and more. If you want to get involved in this project, but don’t yet see a space for your skills and interests, we want to hear from you. Get in touch via team@angelsinamerica.uk. ROLE DESCRIPTIONS For all roles, please apply via this link: angelsinamerica.uk/apply. All applications close on Friday 20th November at 21:00. If you need an extension, or have any questions at all, please contact team@angelsinamerica.uk. If you’re not clear about a role, the show or whether to apply, please just get in touch - we want to hear from as many people as possible. All roles are open to students who are undertaking higher education degrees in Cambridgeshire. ________________ CO-DIRECTOR & ASSISTANT DIRECTOR The co-director and assistant director position is a core part of the directing team for Angels in America. In either role, you will support the Director, Dhyan, on either one or both of the parts. As co-director, with more autonomy and creative responsibility than an Assistant or Associate Director, you will be encouraged to bring your own interests and passions about the play, supporting and occasionally leading rehearsals, inputting into design and technical conversations and taking leadership over areas of the production to be decided. As assistant director, your role is similar, but with more of a supporting position. We particularly welcome applications from Jewish students and from all marginalised communities, who connect with the material of the play. Responsibilities may include: * Supporting (assistant) and/or leading (co-director) rehearsals with Director * Supporting (assistant) and/or leading (co-director) creative design process * Bringing your ideas and passion * Leading areas of the production based on your own interests In this role, you may work across one or both of the parts, and can specify as such in the application form. CO-PRODUCER The co-producer role is an exciting way to get involved in this immense and ambitious project. As co-producer, you will be supporting the Producer, Joseph, with elements of the organisation and administration of the shows. You may work on one part, or across both parts, and your role will change based on your skills, experience, interests and passion. You may take the lead on publicity, scheduling, external or internal communications, company management, or any of the other areas that excite you. Responsibilities may include: * Finding areas of interest and leading elements of production * Supporting the Producer with publicity design, application and/or strategy * Supporting the company with administration, scheduling and/or communications * Being an active and engaged member of the core production team, and sorting obstacles as they arise PRODUCTION MANAGER The Production Manager is responsible for the organisation of the technical aspects of the show. You will oversee the lighting, sound, set, costume and special effects departments from initial design to final execution, maintaining a working knowledge of the holistic project and communicating effectively across the team. A successful candidate will likely have some experience of technical theatre - especially a secure knowledge of Get Ins and Get Outs - but the emphasis is on people management, a good sense of communication and an ability to work strategically across the project. We are looking for a Production Manager who is interested in working across both parts of the play. Responsibilities will include: * Overseeing the technical departments, ensuring their progress and supporting them throughout * Communicating across teams, with the Director and with ADC Management to ensure the execution of creative vision in a timely, cost-effective and pragmatic manner * Acting as a Technical Representative (TR) at both Get Ins and Get Outs, and planning and leading these alongside the Head of Stage * Being an active and engaged member of the core production team, and serving the overall vision and ethos of the show HEAD OF STAGE The Head of Stage for Angels is responsible for the planning, leading and implementing of the physical show, particularly the set. Working closely alongside the Set Designer and Head of Carpentry, they will take the set design and built set, and plan an effective method of putting it up and taking it down for both plays. They will act as a Technical Representative alongside the Production Manager, and take dual responsibility for the Get In and Get Out. Some technical experience may be useful, but the key skills are people management, big-picture planning and the ability to effectively erect or dismantle the production in a safe, quick and elegant manner. We are looking for a Head of Stage who is interested in working across both parts of the play. Responsibilities will include: * Acting as a Technical Representative (TR) at both Get Ins and Get Outs, and planning and leading these alongside the Production Manager * Working alongside the Set Designer and Head of Carpentry to plan the set, with its efficient construction and deconstruction in mind * Creating a secure plan for the re-construction of the set, always considering the long-term, two-show model * Leading teams during the Get In and Get Out efficiently * Maintaining oversight of the physical production, ensuring coordination between elements and having a secure knowledge of all aspects * Being an active and engaged member of the core production team, and serving the overall vision and ethos of the show HEAD OF CARPENTRY The Head of Carpentry for Angels is responsible for the building of the set. You will be working in the ADC Workshop with a team of Carpenters, supporting the Set Designer to translate their model into a workable, planned set of building tasks. The ideal candidate will have passion for working efficiently and elegantly, building sophisticated scenery with cost-efficiency and timeliness; experience is helpful but not necessary, and training can be provided. The majority of work for this role will take place in Lent Week 3, before Part One, but some additional set pieces may be needed before Part Two; please feel free to specify if you are only interested in the Part One phase. Responsibilities will include: * Working with the Set Designer to create an effective building plan * Leading the build process in the ADC Workshop * With the Production Manager, hiring other Carpenters and ensuring an effective and balanced build schedule * Safely and securely building a set that is ready for the Get In, working with the Head of Stage to foresee logistical challenge * Fulfilling the Director and Set Designer’s vision with elegance and precision SET DESIGNER The Set Designer will work alongside the Director to create a concept for the scenic design of Angels in America. They will respond to creative conversations with initial sketches, bold ideas and research materials, before turning these drafts into detailed set drawings, plans and ideally a CAD model. No experience is needed, but passion for using space, minimalist design that is slick, evocative and effective, and an interest in Kushner’s text, is ideal. We may be interested in considering a Designer for each part, or a team of Designers; please specify any preferences in the form. Responsibilities will include: * Working with the Director to create a set, from initial sketches to final drawings and model * Researching the text, understanding the vision and working with the demands of the play in the design process * Working with the Production Manager, Head of Carpentry and Head of Stage to consider the practicality of the set, adjusting plans and supporting effective build plans LIGHTING DESIGNER The Lighting Designer will work alongside the Director to create a concept for the lighting design of Angels in America. They will respond to creative conversations and the text with initial ideas and ideally pre-visualisation files, before turning these into a rig plan (working with the Set team and Production Manager), programming the show, and ideally operating their own lighting cues during performances. Some experience is ideal, but passion for the project, a good sense of visual style and rhythm, and a desire to learn is also significant. We are interested in considering a Lighting Designer for each part, with the possibility of being an Associate on the other; please specify any preferences in the form. Responsibilities will include: * Working with the Director to create a design for the play * Translating the design into a rig plan and programmed lighting design * Act as a Technical Representative (TR) during the Lighting sections of the Get In * Working with the Production Manager and other departments to complete relevant paperwork, risk assessments and coordinate with other elements * Ideally operate lighting cues during the performances COSTUME DESIGNER The Costume Designer will work alongside the Director to create a concept for the costume design of Angels in America. They will respond to creative conversations and the text with initial ideas and sketches, before sourcing, purchasing, making and adapting the costumes. Some experience is ideal, but passion for the project, a good sense of style, an ability to research and create creative concepts, and a desire to learn is also significant. We are interested in considering a Costume Designer for each part, or a team of Designers; please specify any preferences in the form. Responsibilities will include: * Working with the Director to create a costume design for the play * Translating the design into sourced, adapted and/or handmade costumes as appropriate * Source measurements and conduct fittings and conversations with the acting company * Working with the Production Manager and other departments to complete relevant paperwork, risk assessments and coordinate with other elements SOUND DESIGNER / COMPOSER The Sound Designer / Composer will work alongside the Director to create a concept for the sound design of Angels in America. They will respond to creative conversations and the text with initial ideas, before creating soundscapes and perhaps underscoring that works alongside the Director’s suggested ideas. There is a good deal of flexibility here; musical experience or skill may be useful, but equally a passion for sourcing and compiling sound is invited. We are open to ideas on what the sound design of this play may be - reach out if you have questions. We are interested in considering a Sound Designer for each part, or a team of Designers; please specify any preferences in the form. Responsibilities will include: * Working with the Director to create a sound design for the play * Translating the design into a soundscape and/or original composition that is played via QLab files (training can be provided) * Ideally operate sound cues during the performances STAGE MAGICIAN The Stage Magician will work alongside the Director and Production Manager to create some breathtaking moments of technical illusion. From the Angel’s entrance to the snowy Antarctica, from the vanishing of Mr Lies to a flying book, Angels is a surrealist piece full of awe-inspiring theatrical magic. As Magician, you will work alongside the Director to create interesting and elegant solutions to these, and then implement them, working alongside other departments and across fields, including pyrotechnics. No experience necessary, but technical competence might be useful. Responsibilities will include: * Working with the Director to find elegant solutions for moments of magic in the play * Working with the Production Manager and other department leads, especially the Stage Manager, to execute these moments of magic STAGE MANAGER The Stage Manager will work across all departments to ensure the effective, safe and happy performance of Angels in America. They will lead the company during show weeks, taking responsibility for the organisation, coherence and safety of the teams, and continuing the Director’s vision pragmatically. They will support rehearsals, complete relevant paperwork and ultimately oversee the running of each performance. We would like one Stage Manager for both parts; please specify issues or preferences in the form. Responsibilities will include: * Completing risk assessments and ensuring their maintenance * Sourcing and/or creating props in collaboration with other departments * Taking responsibility for the company and their safety during show weeks * Working closely with the Production Manager to oversee the planning and organisation of the company, and with the Deputy Stage Manager to run each performance DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER The Deputy Stage Manager is responsible for the elegant and efficient running of performances. They will ‘call the show’, demonstrating a good knowledge of all of its elements in order to conduct it with precise timing, rhythm and fluency. We would like one Deputy Stage Manager for both parts, but might consider one for each; please specify issues or preferences in the form. Responsibilities will include: * Calling cues for the performances * Leading the ‘Paper Tech’ and assembling a prompt book for the show * Having a good understanding of the show, design, company and vision * Running the technical rehearsal with the Stage Manager * Working with the Stage Manager to take responsibility for the company during show weeks ARTS, EVENTS AND EDUCATION OFFICER We would like an Arts, Events and Education Officer to take the lead on an outreach and special events programme around the productions. This is a highly flexible role, with the opportunity to take on as much or as little as you would like, and bring your own ideas, creativity and passions to the project. We want Angels to be seen, understood and enjoyed by as many people as possible, and you would help us to connect to audiences, spread the word of the play’s important ideas and themes, and more broadly make the show a massive, accessible event in the community. Responsibilities may include: * Organising workshops, events, outreach programmes and other special occasions around the shows * Coordinating school visits, communicating with the local community and further afield, and welcoming attendees * Working with ADC Management and University staff to logistically plan events and displays * Working with the Director and Producer to collaborate between the show and the outreach programme WELFARE OFFICER(S) Welfare Officers support the overall happiness, comfort and enjoyment of the student company. You may work across one or many of our departments, and you may choose to work on one part, or ideally across both. We need people who like people, and who want to make sure that Angels has a safe and positive working environment. You may visit rehearsals, talk confidentially to members of the company, support technical meetings and events, and set up Welfare Forms. Responsibilities may include: * With other officers, checking in on elements of the production and being a visible presence * Listening to concerns and issues and handling them with extreme sensitivity, reporting where necessary * Organising social events to support the general cohesion and enjoyment of the company * Recommending external agencies where necessary to support members of the company; having a working knowledge of the play and its content warnings