An Assistant Producer supports the lead Producer or Executive Producer in managing, administration and overseeing various aspects of a theatre production. Their role is crucial in ensuring that the production process runs smoothly from the initial planning stages through to the final performance.
What are the main responsibilities of an Assistant Producer?
There are no specific qualifications required to become an Assistant Producer, however here are some useful subjects and courses that you can study to gain knowledge and experience:
Search all opportunities to help you get into theatre here
Find opportunities in producing from across the theatre industry here
Working towards becoming an Assistant Producer involves a strategic combination of education, gaining relevant experience, developing key skills, and building a professional network. Start with entry-level roles such as Production Assistant or Administrative Assistant in a theatre company and work your way up as you gather experience.
An Assistant Producer can earn from £25k - £36k+ per year based in a venue or with a theatre company. As a freelancer, you can set your own rate based on your experience and the scale of the show and/or tour. Equity rates for a freelance lead Producer for 2024 suggest a day rate of £173.
The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.
You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here
https://www.belgrade.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Assistant-Producer-Candidate-Pack.pdf
Published: 4th June 2024
An Executive Producer plays a strategic role, overseeing multiple productions or the entire theatre company. They provide high-level guidance and support but are less involved in the day-to-day operations like a Producer is.
There are no specific qualifications required to become an Executive Producer, however here are some useful subjects and courses that you can study to gain knowledge and experience:
Search opportunities to help you get into theatre here
Working towards becoming an Executive Producer involves a strategic combination of education, gaining relevant experience, developing key skills, and building a professional network. Consider degrees in theatre, arts management, business, communications, or a related field. Later, work as an Assistant Producer, Production Assistant, or in other entry-level roles in theatre production. You can also work in stage management to build your understanding of the technical process. Gaining hands-on experience will help you to develop the necessary skills.
An Executive Producer based with a company can earn around £38-£45k+ per year. If you are a freelancer, you can set your own rate based on your experience and the scale of the show and/or tour. Equity rates for a freelance Producer for 2024 suggest a day rate of £173 minimum.
The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.
You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here
https://uk.indeed.com/career/executive-producer/salaries
https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/tiata-fahodzi-theatre-company/executive-producer/946862
https://www.itc-arts.org/rates-of-pay/
Published" 9th June 2024
An Associate Costume Designer will work with and assist the Costume Designer to design the costumes for a show. They will support in making sure the costumes match the time period, the characters and the Director’s vision for the piece, as well as being practical for the Performer.
While you do not need a degree for this role, here are some useful subjects and courses that could help you get a head start in the industry:
Find training opportunities in costume design from across the theatre industry here
Always ensure you keep examples of your work. Read our blog 'How to make a Costume Design portfolio.'
You may start as a Wardrobe Assistant and move into more senior roles such as Wardrobe Master/Mistress or Costume Supervisor, before then moving into Costume Design. Taking an internship or apprenticeship will help you gain relevant experience as well as network. Keeping a portfolio is crucial when showcasing your talent.
Pay for a Costume Designer can vary depending on their level of experience. They can be in-house for theatres who produce their own work regularly, which would be a paid salary. However, it is likely that you will be freelance and design for a fee, which can vary based on the show scale and the company. For one production, 2024/2025 Equity rates suggest a Designer fee of £3133.13 and a weekly making fee of £613.84. Sometimes, and often for smaller scale productions, the Set and Costume Designer will be the same person. Associate Costume Designers are usually brought on for much larger scale productions, or when the Costume Designer needs to be absent for portions of the show.
The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.
You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here
https://www.itc-arts.org/rates-of-pay/
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/costume-designer
https://www.planitplus.net/JobProfiles/View/42/19
Published: 3rd June 2024
An Associate Set Designer supports the execution of the scenic design for theatrical productions, films, television shows, or other live events. Specific duties may vary depending on the project and the preferences of the lead Set Designer.
Find designing opportunities and training from across the theatre industry here
Although you do not need any qualifications, you may wish to study Set Design through a university course, college course, apprenticeship or internship. You can gain a qualification in any of the following subjects:
Take a look at apprenticeship opportunities and how they can help you here
Ensure you keep a portfolio of all of your previous work to show to potential employers. Read our blog, ‘How to make a set design portfolio’ for some tips on how to best display your work.
The journey to become an Associate Set Designer typically involves a combination of training, practical experience, and networking. Internships and apprenticeships provide hands-on experience, exposure to professional workflows, and networking opportunities within the industry. Keeping a portfolio of work will allow you to demonstrate your abilities to potential employers. Read our blog, ‘How to make a set design portfolio’ for some tips on how to best display your work.
The role of an Associate Set Designer can vary depending on the scale of the production as well as the actual size of the theatre. Most Associate Set Designers work on a freelance basis. For one production, 2024/2025 Equity rates suggest a Designer fee of £3133.13 and a weekly making fee of £613.84.
The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.
You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/set-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,12.
https://www.eno.org/artists/anna-schottl/
https://www.itc-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rates-of-Pay-2024-27-Sheet.pdf
Published: 9th June 2024
An Assistant Choreographer is a key member of a choreography team, working closely with the lead Choreographer to create and execute dance routines for various productions.
You can find dance and choreography opportunities to help you get into theatre here
A formal qualification is not necessary as Assistant Choreographers typically begin their career as a Dancer and study a variety of routines through this. However, here are some useful subjects and courses that you can study to gain knowledge and experience:
Search theatre training courses to help you get into theatre here
Here are some subjects that you can study at school which will teach you some useful skills for becoming an Assistant Choreographer:
Always keep a showreel of your individual work and where your work has been shown as well as choreography for any previous productions.
Starting a career as an Assistant Choreographer often begins with formal dance training. Performance experience is beneficial to understand the job from a performer's point of view. Mentorship / shadowing Choreographers or Movement Directors will help you gain relevant experience. Equally essential is building a portfolio showcasing your unique choreography to show potential employers and collaborators.
For a lead Choreographer working on one show, the Independent Theatre Council states that the minimum preparatory fee for preparation and up to 2 weeks’ rehearsals is £2,310. If rehearsals continue past this, the weekly fee is £572 or daily fee is £186 (correct as of May 2024). Choreographers are often freelance. Read our blog 'How to become a freelancer in theatre' here.
The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.
You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here
Find all careers advice by reading our selection of blogs here
References:
https://www.itc-arts.org/rates-of-pay/
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/assistant-choreographer-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm
https://careers.atg.co.uk/job-search/job-detail.html?jobid=215794
Published: 24th May 2024
An Associate Director is typically a member of the production team who works closely with the Director to support and assist in various aspects of the production process. The role will require you to take over when the Director is absent, or on touring productions.
You can search for associate directing opportunities from across the theatre industry here
While there are no specific qualifications needed to be an Associate Director, these courses could be beneficial:
Here are some subjects that you can study at school which will teach you some useful skills on your journey to becoming an Associate Director:
Find training opportunities in directing offered across the theatre industry here
If you’re thinking of becoming an Associate Director, these can be the desirable skills to be an ideal candidate:
As an Associate Director, your role adapts to the preferences of the Director that you're supporting. This could mean leading rehearsals, aiding in creative brainstorming, or taking charge of particular scenes or characters. Your input and expertise contribute to the production, especially in areas where the Director needs assistance or lacks time. While your insights are valuable, the Director ultimately makes the final decisions. If you are working on a touring production or a long-running show, you will often make sure the show keeps the Director’s vision throughout.
How much can I earn?
Associate Directors are often freelancers, so you can negotiate your fee with the company or venue. This would usually be based on the venue’s budget, the duration of the show, the size of the audience and the ticket prices. The fee may vary depending on your level of experience. Learn more about freelancing with our blog 'How to be a freelancer in theatre.' For more information on a Director's fee, read our What does a Director do? blog.
The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.
Watch this interview with Steven Kavuma to learn more
Find opportunities to help you get into theatre here
You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here
https://www.mgcfutures.com/associate-director/
https://www.firstcareers.co.uk/careers/what-does-an-associate-director-do/
Published: 23 May 2024
Directors are responsible for bringing a Playwright's words to life on stage or leading the Actors in a direction to create a story, called ‘devising’. They oversee every detail of the creative process and create a cohesive and compelling play by using their own artistic interpretation of the script.
You can search for directing opportunities to help you get into theatre here
While there are no specific qualifications needed to be a Director, these courses could be beneficial:
Having experience in directing through amateur dramatics or community theatre can be helpful in building your CV and understanding of your own directing style.
Here are some subjects that you can study at school which will teach you some useful skills on your journey to becoming a Director:
Find training opportunities in directing to help you get into theatre here
If you’re thinking of becoming a Director, these can be the desirable skills to be an ideal candidate:
As a Director, you start the process by analysing the script, grasping its themes, characters and messages. You might plan what you want the play’s key message to be before the actors join. Research and development days may follow - experimenting with ideas alongside the creative team. Both creative meetings and logistical production meetings with the production team happen throughout the process.
In rehearsals you guide actors through scenes, giving direction and ensuring that your vision is successfully coming to life. During technical rehearsals, sound and lighting elements are incorporated into the play, overseen by the technical designers. There will also be dress rehearsals with all costume, set and props. Directors may watch initial performances to provide feedback, but it's not mandatory. Once the show is running, your job is done.
Throughout the whole process, you will need to manage admin tasks, communicate with the team and balance artistic goals with practical constraints like budgets. Despite the demanding work, collaborating with talented artists to bring stories to life on stage can be highly rewarding.
Directors are often freelancers, so you can negotiate your fee with the company or venue. This would usually be based on the venue’s budget, the desired rehearsal time, the duration of the show, the size of the audience and the ticket prices. The fee may vary depending on your level of experience as a Director. Learn more about freelancing with our blog: 'How to be a freelancer in theatre.'
A preparatory fee will be given, in addition to weekly payments for rehearsals. Whilst salaries will vary, the Independent Theatre Council states that the minimum preparatory fee for a full-length play of 70+ minutes is £1,870.00. For short plays of 70 minutes or less, the preparatory fee is £1,232.32. They rate rehearsals at a weekly payment of £572 (correct as of May 2024). As this is the minimum, preparatory fees can often be much more.
The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.
Watch this interview with Director Adam Penford to learn more
Find directing opportunities to help you get into theatre here
You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/theatre-director
https://www.itc-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rates-of-Pay-2024-27-Sheet.pdf
Photo: Alex Brenner
Updated: 17 May 2024
Ever wondered what being a Theatre Swing entails and how it can help you pave your way into the industry? Then keep reading! This blog explores what it means to be a Theatre Swing, the difference between a Cast Swing and a Technical Swing, as well as how it can help widen your skill set.
Theatre Swings are an important part of the theatre world and how it operates.
The role of a Cast Swing is to act as an understudy for numerous parts - both ensemble and principle. They will learn various roles and step in if a member of the cast is absent.
A Technical Theatre Swing or ‘Tech Swing’ is someone who is a technical and production all-rounder. They will learn all aspects of the show within the lighting, sound, automation and stage management departments, rotating around each department to step in when a member of the crew is absent.
Large casts and crews on long show runs will be given days off, so the Swing will be on hand to fill those gaps on rotation.
Whilst being a Swing allows you to gain industry knowledge first-hand, it can be beneficial to have certain skills:
Being a Swing can open many doors within the industry and can allow you to:
A common misconception is that Swings are just those acting within a show, when in reality, there are many roles within the industry that you can be a swing for, such as being a Technical Swing. Other departments also include:
If you want to get into the industry by being a Theatre Swing or you want to take a look at the career options that being a Swing can lead to, check out our opportunities on Get Into Theatre.
Breaking news from Get Into Theatre and ATG!
Get Into Theatre and ATG have announced an exciting new partnership: Work In Theatre.
Funded by Arts Council England, Work In Theatre is a nationwide careers programme to improve access to theatre careers for young people and emerging artists across England, Scotland and Wales.
Activity will take place across 15 ATG venues nationwide, with digital activity hosted here on getintotheatre.org. WORK IN THEATRE will reach more than 30,000 young people, teachers and freelance artists across the UK!
We've been working to develop WORK IN THEATRE with secondary school teachers across the UK, following feedback that young people’s varying needs across the regions are not being met by the current ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to theatre work experience opportunities. We're going to empower teachers to develop a meaningful careers offer that showcases the range of careers within the theatre industry.
Co-Authored with teachers, the year-long project will be delivered through three strands:
These strands will meaningfully inspire, educate and spotlight the breadth of on and offstage careers available within the theatre industry and will be brought to those that may not have thought theatre was a space for them; improving equal access for young people from lower socio-economic, d/Deaf or disabled and Black, Asian & ethnic backgrounds.
Work In Theatre Experience will act as a careers learning programme - curated alongside local schools, offered to young people from education settings and connected within their local ATG venue.
Work In Theatre Conference will be a hybrid offer of digital and in-person Continued Professional Development for teachers from targeted state schools, ensuring those with direct access to young people feel confident discussing routes into the industry.
Work In Theatre Commissions will commission emerging creative practitioners from under-represented backgrounds within each region, to create dynamic video responses that capture their career journey - to inspire all of you in Get into Theatre’s digital network.
Alexandra Snell, Senior Creative Learning Manager, Milton Keynes Theatre said:
“We are delighted that thanks to funding from Arts Council England, we enter an exciting next phase of our ongoing partnership with Get into Theatre - bringing the passion, commitment, and expertise of our organisations together in the locally driven, nationwide delivery of the Work in Theatre initiative. We believe partnerships are powerful. This collective approach ensures we’re able to deliver impactful and locally relevant engagement that moves us forwards in our shared commitment to nurture and inspire the industry's next diverse generation.”
Get Into Theatre Director Alex Duarte-Davies added:
“Get Into Theatre exists for those young people who want to build their road map, or at least take a peek at what could be possible - from their homes and school classroom. However, getting through those physical doors can often be a daunting challenge. This collaboration with ATG will see those doors opened wide and ensure that young people from all backgrounds are given the same opportunities to ‘get into theatre’, as well as supporting teachers to confidently offer meaningful and up-to-date guidance to their students. It is a step in breaking down those barriers between education and industry, to ensure that the future of the sector is both representational and accessible.”
Produced by 15 ATG venues, with digital activity showcased on the Get Into Theatre website, the project will run until April 2024.
To find out more and get involved email Get Into Theatre director Alex Duarte-Davies on alex@getintotheatre.org.
We'll be reaching out to the Get Into Theatre community soon with more details about how you can get involved.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
There are many different types of jobs in theatre and knowing where to start in your theatre career search can be difficult. Whether you want to be a performer, work within backstage & technical theatre or in a venue, our list is a great starting point to learn what role in theatre would best suit you.
This complete list of careers in theatre is based on large-scale theatres in the UK. For smaller theatres or productions some roles in this list will not be applicable or the roles may be merged together. The theatre industry evolves everyday and we strive to keep this list as up to date as possible. However, if you notice a role that you are interested in isn't listed below, get in touch!
Updated: 4th June 2024
