The visual and performing arts are one of nine sectors within the creative industries. The below links are great places to look for more general careers info for all the creative industries and not just theatre. 

Search all theatre opportunities here

DISCOVER! Creative Careers

DISCOVER! Creative Careers brings together careers information and opportunities from creative organisations in one explorable directory.

Masterclass

Masterclass offers workshops online and in person for young people, with those well known and working in the industry. 

Find more theatre careers advice here

Upstart Projects

Upstart Projects creates opportunities for young people to develop as the arts professionals of the future. They support young people to lead and manage projects, act as ambassadors, find their voice in the arts and train other people. In short, they offer real experiences which build skills and can lead into arts and media careers.

Find more theatre careers advice here.

Work experience is a short term placement in an organisation which gives you a feel for the role. It also helps you see what a day in the life looks like for someone who has that particular job. As part of your work experience you’ll likely carry out only a few important tasks, and will mainly complete other tasks such as assisting, making tea and coffee and photocopying etc. It will give you a chance to observe and see what you could be doing in the future.

Do I get paid if I do work experience?

Some work experience placements are paid and some are not. It is up to the organisation and depends on what tasks they will get you to do. Generally, work experience is usually unpaid because it’s over a short period of time, however your travel and/or lunch costs will often be covered or reimbursed.

Find work experience opportunities here.

If I do work experience, what will I get out of it?

Nothing impresses an employer more than seeing that you’ve gone out of your way (especially during your free time) to gain work experience and improve on your skills. This shows enthusiasm and dedication to your future career. There are many benefits of work experience such as:

• You can improve on the skills you already have and gain new skills to add to your CV
• You can get a feel of a typical theatre work environment
• It will give you a chance to meet new people within the theatre industry and these people (often referred to as contacts) can give you positive references and advice for future jobs. Some may even be able to put you in touch with someone for a potential job
• Work experience looks really impressive on your CV and stands out to employers. It will also give you great things to talk about in your interview and get you ahead of the game in terms of your knowledge
• The organisation you’re completing work experience with may be so impressed with you that they may offer you a position in the company. This is always a bonus!

For more info about work experience in the creative industries, you can also take a look at our blog 'Where can I find general careers information about the creative industries?'

Work experience is great for all the reasons above, but we must highlight concerns around the exploitation of young people. When you get involved in these experience opportunities you must be aware of the impact of low or unpaid work and also ensure you know your rights beforehand.

Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here

Photo: Alex Brenner

Published: 16 May 2019

The main thing to know is that the term 'volunteering' stands for 'a person who works for an organisation without being paid.' If you complete volunteer work, you'll be working completely for free and you will not have a contract of employment like interns. However, there are certain policies in place to protect you and the organisation. These policies state that both you and the organisation are aware of the expectations of both of you. Volunteers are not eligible for National Minimum Wage as you’re participating by choice, but you'll have more flexibility with your working hours and this can be great. 

Search all theatre opportunities here

Do I need any qualifications or experience to apply?

You don't need any qualifications or experience to apply. You just need to be willing to participate and get involved. This will show your determination and passion for theatre because you want to learn new things and get involved in different aspects of theatre despite not being paid.

Find more theatre careers advice here

If I do volunteering, what do I get out of it?

• You'll gain confidence. You'll be trying something new and taking on a new challenge out of your comfort zone. You may even learn something you didn't know before
• You'll get a chance to meet new people and make connections with them. You can exchange contact details with the people you meet as they may be able to help you in the future with advice, upcoming job roles and work experience. You may be able to do the same for them
• You'll get to be part of a theatre community. This is a good way to stay connected with the theatre industry in your spare time and get involved in things that are coming up

Volunteering is great for all the reasons above, but we must highlight concerns around the exploitation of young people. When you get involved in these experience opportunities you must be aware of the impact of low or unpaid work and also ensure you know your rights beforehand.

You can find volunteering opportunities here. 

Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here

References

Photo: Alex Brenner

Published: 16 May 2019

There are many different types of internships within the theatre industry, so we’re going to tell you about them in general and also make sure you know your rights.

Internships are similar to work experience but they are fixed-term placements and are often referred to as a 'traineeship'. They aim to give you a better understanding of employment and the day-to-day tasks of the job you’ve chosen. Interns are normally set a number of different tasks to complete during their placement. Read our blog 'Where can I find general careers information about the creative industries?' for more information. 

Search all theatre opportunities here

Do I get paid if I do an internship?

Employers must pay interns at least the National Minimum Wage - unless the company is a registered charity. You’ll be completing tasks a member of staff would do and it's only fair that you should be paid for your work.

Find more theatre careers advice here

If I do an internship, what will I get out of it?

• Explore a career path - you might be unsure if a career in theatre or a particular area of theatre is for you and this is the perfect way to decide. You will see what a career in theatre looks like and what you’ll be doing on a daily basis
• Getting ahead of the game - internships can make you stand out when you start applying for jobs in theatre, and can be attractive to potential employers

Be sure to know your rights within the theatre industry, especially when gaining experience. Internships are great for all the reasons above, but we must highlight concerns around the exploitation of young people. When you get involved in these experience opportunities you must be aware of the impact of low or unpaid work and also ensure you know your rights beforehand.

You can find internship opportunities here with The Stage Jobs.

References

Photo: Alex Brenner

Published: 16 May 2019

Gaining work experience or on the job training is a great way to give yourself a better chance of getting into theatre. When applying for a job in theatre, employers will want to see your determination and your passion for wanting a career in the theatre industry.

There are different kinds of theatre experience you can gain and any type of experience will benefit you in a number of different ways and look great on your CV. These are listed below.

Click on each type of experience for more information.

• Work experience
• Internships
• Apprenticeships
• Volunteering

It is important that we highlight and make you aware of instances where young people are exploited. You must be cautious of low and unpaid work and you must know your rights when applying for these experience opportunities.

Find more theatre careers advice here

References

Photo: Royal Opera House

Published: 16 May 2019

There are a number musical theatre training opportunities to choose from at a number of different drama schools all over the country. Follow these easy steps to ensure you are as prepared as you can be and increase your changes of getting into the drama school of your choice.

Know your stuff:

• Research the drama school - Find out who the teachers are and what their backgrounds are within the theatre industry. Do some research into these people and the people who will be auditioning or interviewing you. This will help you with some conversational points
• Have a good understanding of the course - Know what will be studying, the lessons you will be taking, and the practitioners you will be studying. Understand how this course sets itself apart from others and also why you want to study there
• Attend and open day - It can be helpful to go to an open day or watch a showcase at the school. Seeing the facilities in person can help you see the atmosphere, which you won’t get from just researching online
• Research the schools graduates - This is great to see the success rate of the school, especially those who took the course you are wanting to study and see what their career path has been since graduating
• The schools satisfaction survey - It’s also a good idea to look at the school’s satisfaction survey which you can find online. This will give you an idea of what current students think of the teaching. This is great to do as you will be spending a large majority of your time studying at this school and you want to be somewhere where you are comfortable and other students feel the same

       Search all theatre opportunities here

Nail the drama school audition:

If you're applying for a musical theatre course you must be able to act, dance and sing on the day of your audition. There's a lot to think about but if you follow the tips below, you'll smash the audition.

• It’s best to have a physical and vocal warm-up routine in the days leading up to your audition
• Familiarise yourself with some basic terminology that may be used in the group dance audition. They will be looking for how you respond to instructions as well as your ability to work in a group and your technique
• There is normally a dance routine you will have to learn on the day. Practise picking up steps and style by attending dance classes prior to your audition. Have a look through the dance workshops available to you on the Get Into Theatre website. 
• You will most likely be asked to prepare two songs and they may choose which one they want to hear on the day. Make sure you practice both equally and feel confident singing both
• Choose two contrasting songs that show off your ability, but take into consideration how your nerves may effect your voice and try not to choose something too challenging. They will also be looking at how you act through song and how you portray the character
• Practise your songs with the sheet music you will bring along with you on the day, so you know the key it is set in and you are familiar with the way it sounds on the piano
• For information on preparing your monologue take a look at What is the best advice on getting into drama school? 

Be yourself – but how?

• Try not to get wrapped up in other people too much on the day and absorb their nervous energy. There will most likely be a bit of waiting around before your audition/interview with other people in the same room. Think about what keeps you focused and calm; listening to music, breathing rituals, or reading a book.  Read our tips on Tackling nerves and anxiety.
• Sometimes, you may be asked to workshop with others, in these situations be open and playful and really throw yourself into what is asked of you. They want to see how you interact with other people and collaborate.

       Find more theatre careers advice here

Have confidence – but how?

The best way to have confidence on the day is to make sure that you are well prepared. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Know what is in your control on the day and what is not. You want to be able to walk away from your audition or interview and know that you have done everything you can in your power to be the best you can be. The best way to do this is think about the things you can control:

• Preparation; learn your song so well you can sing it in your sleep!
• Be on time (better still, be early!) Pre-plan your travel well ahead of time
• Sleep well the night before; do whatever relaxes you in the evenings (take a bath, read a book, watch a film)
• Wear appropriate clothes; wear something that make you feel confident, you don’t want to be worrying about what you look like on the day. Bear in mind that you will be moving around/getting physical on the day, so make sure what you wear is practical. You will need dance shoes, check which classes these will be and take along the shoes needed, for example; ballet or jazz.

If you have all of these things in your control, then you can relax a bit more on the day and concentrate on being yourself, having a big smile and being friendly. If you are busy worrying about if you have forgotten a line, then this can block your personality from shining through and really this is the most important part of any audition/interview.

Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here

References:

https://www.coursflorent.education/news/how-to-get-into-drama-school

https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/how-to-nail-your-drama-school-audition/

https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/how-to-nail-your-drama-school-audition/

https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/2017/a-beginners-guide-to-applying-for-drama-school/

Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 04 March 2019

Coming from a working class or low-income background can be challenging, especially in an industry that is highly competitive and in which many workers are employed on a freelance basis.

Working as a freelancer means that you will be working on contracts and there may be periods of time where you have gaps in between those contracts. For someone from a working class background, this can be a more challenging time compared to others as you may not have the financial support from family to help you through to your next contract. However, there are plenty of other jobs that many theatre industry professionals do in between their contracted theatre work to help pay their rent and bills.

Take a look at both blogs How to be a freelancer and What jobs do successful theatre industry professionals do in between theatre jobs to earn? to help understand how to financially support yourself through a career in theatre.

For many jobs in theatre, you do not need a degree and can work your way up the career ladder instead. However, if you want to study and learn new skills then there are plenty of funding and scholarships available for those from a low income household. Take a look at our list of funding opportunities here.

More recently there has been a rise in opportunities for cheaper theatre tickets. For example, Mousetrap Theatre Projects offers highly discounted tickets and the National Theatre has plenty of £15 tickets available for each show.

 

 

One organisation whose work you might want to follow is COMMON, the leading national arts organisation supporting the UK theatre industry to achieve greater intersectional class diversity. They aim to make theatre widely accessible to those from working and under-class backgrounds, whether they’re artists, audiences or communities, and strive for greater equality, inclusion and representation across the industry.

 

 

There is also Open Door, which offer the opportunity for mentoring advice and pay for audition fees for the top drama schools for those from low income backgrounds. Audition fees for drama schools are around £40 - £50 each, so it can become expensive if you apply for a few different schools. Open Door can take away that expense for successful applicants.

 

There are opportunities out there to help you get your foot in the door if you are from a working class background.  It shouldn’t be something that hinders you from pursuing your dream career, it’s just knowing where to look to gain that support and Get into Theatre is the first stepping stone for letting you know about those opportunities.

Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here

References:

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/jun/05/arts-working-class-people-britain-theatre

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/jul/08/british-theatre-working-class-actors-waiting-in-the-wings

https://www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/edinburgh-fringe/theatre/is-theatre-accessible-to-working-class-artists

https://www.oldvic.ac.uk/news/https-www-theguardian-com-stage-2018-jul-08-british-theatre-working-class-actors-waiting-in-the-wingscmptwt_a-stage_b-gdnstage/2587/

https://www.ft.com/content/bd4736aa-6d6d-11e8-852d-d8b934ff5ffa

https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/2018/gardner-is-british-theatre-guilty-of-failing-the-working-class/n

Photo: Tristram Kenton

Published: 04 March 2019

Drama schools offer a variety of offstage training opportunities for people of all abilities, including theatre design, stage management and theatre directing. Following these easy steps will ensure you are as prepared as you can be to get into the drama school of your choice.

Know your stuff:

• Research the school - Find out about the quality of teachers and what their backgrounds are in the industry. Look up the people interviewing you
• Have a good understanding of what the course is - Take a look at the lessons you will be taking, the practitioners you will be studying and the contact hours. Understand how this course sets itself apart from others and also why you want to study there
• Attend and open day - This can be helpful or watch a showcase at the school, seeing the place in person can help you see the atmosphere, which you won’t get from just researching online
• Previous graduates - Research the school’s graduates, especially those who took the course you want to study and see what their career path has been since graduating
• The school's satisfaction survey - It’s also a good idea to look at the school’s satisfaction survey which you can find online. This will give you an idea of what current students think of the teaching

    Search all theatre opportunities here

Nail the interview:

• Make sure you have understood what the school has asked you to prepare. Each school may ask for different things, so double check you know what you need to bring along with you on the day
• Most drama schools will ask you to bring in a portfolio of previous work, however small or big that might be. Before you apply, perhaps ask a local theatre or company if you could volunteer to help build up a portfolio. Or create some designs of your own in your spare time that you could include. Read our blog on How to make a portfolio to help you more with this
• Remember to be yourself in any interview. The questions they ask you aren’t a test, the panel just want to get a feel for the type of person you are. If you don’t understand a question, it’s okay to ask for them to repeat it or if you need to think about an answer it is okay to take a bit of time to think and take a couple of breaths before answering
• Have a think of people in the industry who you admire, look up to and why. Really think about the field of work you want to pursue and know who is ‘hot’ right now, as well as knowing a few other understated people that you like. This will help highlight your passion for the industry and show that you are interested in keeping up with the industry as it currently stands. Go and see some theatre before your interview, so you have some shows to talk about and discuss, especially ones that are interesting to you in the field you are looking to pursue
• It’s okay to ask your own questions too – remember that you need to make sure this is the best place for you too, you are also interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you
• Go along to events such as TheatreCraft, where you can find out more information about backstage roles within theatre

           Find more theatre careers advice here

Be yourself – but how?

• Try not to get wrapped up in other people too much on the day and absorb their nervous energy. If there’s a bit of waiting around before your interview with other people in the same room think about what keeps you focused and calm; listening to music, breathing rituals, or reading a book. Read our blog How to tackle nerves and anxiety if you need a little help with this
• Sometimes, you may be asked to workshop with others, in these situations be open and playful and really throw yourself into what is asked of you. They want to see how you interact with other people and collaborate

Be confident – but how?

The best way to have confidence on the day is to make sure that you are well prepared. Know what is in your control on the day and what is not. You want to be able to walk away from your interview and know that you have done everything you can in your power to be the best you can be. The best way to do this is think about the things you can control:

• Be on time (better still, be early!) Pre-plan your travel well ahead of time.
• Sleep well the night before; do whatever relaxes you in the evenings (have a bath, read a book, watch a film)
• Wear appropriate clothes; wear something that makes you feel confident, you don’t want to be worrying about what you look like on the day. Have a look at the weather before you travel, if you have a long journey maybe bring a change of clothes you can quickly change into so you feel fresh before going into the school

If you have all of these factors in control then you can relax a bit more on the day and concentrate on being yourself, having a big smile and being friendly.

Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here

 

References

https://www.coursflorent.education/news/how-to-get-into-drama-school

https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/how-to-nail-your-drama-school-audition/

https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/how-to-nail-your-drama-school-audition/

https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/2017/a-beginners-guide-to-applying-for-drama-school/

Photo: Royal Opera House

Published: 04 March 2019

Getting into drama school is nerve-wracking enough as it is, especially when you're not sure how to go about it. Follow our simple steps to help understand what to look for when applying and what do for your drama school audition.

Know your stuff:

• Research the school. Find out about the quality of teachers and what their backgrounds are in the industry. Look up the people auditioning or interviewing you.
• Have a good understanding of what you will be studying on that course, the lessons you will be taking, the practitioners you will be studying and the contact hours. Understand how this course sets itself apart from others and also why you want to study there.
• It can be helpful to go to an open day or watch a showcase at the school. Seeing the place in person can help you see the atmosphere, which you won’t get from just researching online.
• Research the school’s graduates, especially those who took the course you are wanting to study. See what their career path has been since graduating.
• It’s also a good idea to look at the result of school’s satisfaction survey, which you can find online. This will give you an idea of how current students rate the school.

        Search all theatre opportunities here

Nail the audition:

• Firstly, make sure you have really looked into what the college is asking of you. Do exactly what they say (length of monologue, time period of monologue etc). Gill Amos, artistic director of first and third-year studies at Drama Studio London, says: “Read the requirements of each drama school carefully. Often actors turn up with badly prepared or ill-advised speeches – a film or TV speech which is completely the wrong age range and in a different accent from their own, for example. Know your speech inside out, which scene it is from, who wrote the play and who you are speaking to.”
• Make sure you understand the monologues you are performing, read the whole play. Work out what the character’s motivations are throughout the play and in particular with the monologue you have chosen.
• For a Shakespeare piece, make sure you understand every single word that you are saying. If you are unsure of how to get to grips with Shakespeare, it may be helpful to get an Acting Coach or ask for help from someone who has experience with Shakespeare.
• Choose a piece that you really like and have a connection with. Choose a character who you could be cast as, and use your own accent.
• Practice your speech out loud and to others, try to avoid using props.
• Keep it simple, don’t over stage the monologue.

       Find more theatre careers advice here

Be yourself – but how?

• Try not to get wrapped up in other people too much on the day and absorb their nervous energy. If there’s a bit of waiting around before your audition/interview with other people in the same room, think about what keeps you focused and calm; listening to music, breathing rituals, or reading a book. Read our blog on How to tackle nerves and anxiety if you need more help with this. 
• Sometimes you may be asked to workshop with others. In these situations be open and playful and really throw yourself into what is asked of you. They want to see how you interact with other people and collaborate.
• Don’t try to be anyone else, they want to see what you have to offer.

Have confidence – but how?

The best way to have confidence on the day is to make sure that you are well prepared, know what is in your control on the day and what is not. You want to be able to walk away from your audition or interview and know that you have done everything you can in your power to show the best you that you can be. The best way to do this is think about the things you can control:

• Preparation; know your lines, learn your monologue so well you can say it in your sleep!
• Be on time (better still, be early!) Pre-plan your travel well ahead of time.
• Sleep well the night before; do whatever relaxes you in the evenings (bath, book, watch a film)
• Wear appropriate clothes; wear something that make you feel confident – you don’t want to be worrying about what you look like on the day. Bear in mind that you may be moving around/getting physical on the day, so ensure it is practical.

If you have all of these factors under control then you can relax a bit more on the day and concentrate on being yourself, having a big smile and being friendly. If you are busy worrying about whether you have forgotten a line then this can block your personality from shining through and this is the most important part of any audition.

Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here

 

References

https://www.coursflorent.education/news/how-to-get-into-drama-school

https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/how-to-nail-your-drama-school-audition/

https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/how-to-nail-your-drama-school-audition/

https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/2017/a-beginners-guide-to-applying-for-drama-school/

Photo: Les Parkinson

Published: 04 March 2019

There are many roles in theatre where you can use your maths and/or science skills in your career.

Maths:

Many of the roles within the administration teams require a certain level of maths skill – especially within the finance department. Some examples include:

• Chief Financial Officer
• Head of Sales
• Sales Assistant
• Accounts Manager
• Accounts Assistant
• Accountant
• Sales and Ticketing Director

Search all theatre opportunities here

Maths is often used within the customer services team too, especially with the handling of products and money:

• Front of House Manager
• Front of House Assistants
• Box Office Manager
• Box Office Clerks
• General Manager  
• Deputy Manager

There are also opportunities as a Producer or Artistic Director to use your maths skills, as these roles deal with tight budgets and fundraising.

Find more theatre careers advice here

Science:

There are roles in theatre that use science skills especially within the creative and production teams. These include:

• Lighting Designer
• Lighting Technician
• Electrician
• Sound Designer
• Sound Technician

The study of light and sound is often taught in science subjects and can be a useful skill in these listed roles.

Find more theatre careers advice here

 

References:

Photo: Royal Opera House

Published: 04 March 2019