It takes a ‘village’ of creatives to put a show together. For everyone to be on the same page, you need feedback. However, theatre criticism, aka reviews, is another form of feedback. Feedback comes from the rehearsal room, the audition panel or the classroom, whereas theatre criticism comes from the audience’s views.
Written by Critics on Press Night, reviews analyse the quality of the play, the creative team’s decisions (sets, lighting, costumes, etc.) and the Director’s choices. Good reviews are there to make you think about the creative choices you have made. Don’t take them as judgments. They can be really helpful because they offer you the audience’s point of view, people who were not part of the rehearsal process.
Never forget, though, that your goal is not to please critics. Critics are coming from a different place, and sometimes it’s best not to engage with them too much.
Feedback, however, is something you will have to deal with as it is coming from the rehearsal room, audition panel or your Tutor. The question is: how do you approach feedback in a way that doesn’t affect your mental health?
I had a chat with Life/Acting Coach and Author of ‘A Life-Coaching Approach To Screen Acting’, Daniel Dresner. He says that you should “approach feedback in a spirit of curiosity”, which means being open to your Director or Tutor’s feedback. Don’t forget that you are part of the project because they are interested in you and your work. They are rooting for you right from the audition or interview stage, so the feedback you are getting is not a judgment of your character. It should always be about the work, so try to “take the emotion out of it”, as Daniel Dresner would say.
The feedback a Producer or Director gives you is there to help you stay on track by reminding you of the world of the play you’re all trying to create. Listen to their notes very carefully. Daniel Dresner would even encourage you to rephrase and repeat their feedback to make sure you clearly understand what they would like you to do. And don’t forget to thank them. Feedback is help, not criticism.
The process of putting a show together is an exciting but complex one, and you have to trust that the process will get you there as long as you keep at it. Don’t let the critical voice in your head get the best of you. You are a part of this project because your voice, your sensitivity, your talent are valued. Stay engaged in the process, welcome feedback, and share your thoughts and ideas with the creative team. It will make the show stronger.
If you found this blog post helpful, you might also want to read:
Written by Youness Bouzinab
Youness Bouzinab is a Moroccan, Greek and Belgian, performer, theatre-maker and dramaturg. He trained on the BA (Hons) Acting, Collaborative and Devised Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Since graduating, Youness has worked with Complicité, Frantic Assembly and at the National Theatre Studio.
Published: 21 October 2021
Blog photo: Shutterstock
Maybe you’ve had a look at a range of different roles on a theatre production team, and you’ve got your sights set on one - but how do you land a job on a theatre production team?
If you’re unsure what type of role you’d enjoy, check out the Production Team section of Get Into Theatre’s Complete list of jobs in the theatre industry! Company Manager Antonia Collins advises that even if you have your sights set on a particular role, "don’t be afraid to try other roles". For example, taking on a Followspot Operator role even if you aspire to be a Deputy Stage Manager will help hone your transferable skills and build your network and relationship with the team you end up working with at the venue.
The first place to start is to look for current opportunities and vacancies in the industry. Like any other industry, there are a couple of key places to check out, where employers (often Producers, Production Managers or Company Managers) will share roles they’re looking to fill on a production team. These include association and union job boards (including Equity UK, the Stage Management Association (SMA), the Association for British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), and more - check out AAPTLE), or websites like Mandy. However, many of these job boards are behind paywalls (meaning you’ll need to be a member of the union/association in order to access it), which may not be particularly accessible if you’re just starting out.
Other free places to look include:
Antonia stresses the importance of networking, particularly in expanding your own personal reach and getting to know professionals currently working in the industry and projects in production. This can be as simple as saying hello to someone by shooting them an email for a coffee or popping along to a social event hosted by an association. A lot of people working in theatre are extremely friendly and are willing to give up a bit of their time to chat to someone starting out.
The next step after setting your sights on a job is to go ahead and apply! Most opportunities will request a CV (or ‘curriculum vitae’), a cover letter, and sometimes a portfolio. Portfolios tend to be requested when putting yourself forward for design-based roles - check out Get Into Theatre’s tips for lighting, set, and costume portfolios.
If the employer likes the look of your CV and cover letter, you might be invited to meet for an interview. You might be asked questions about your past experience and why you’re interested in this particular role, project and company. Always do a bit of preparation and research in advance; Antonia recommends having some answers prepared based on the nature of the role. For example, if you’re interviewing to be an Assistant Stage Manager, you’re likely to be asked about props.
Company Stage Manager Ali Wade notes that interviews really depend on the role you’re applying for. For example, if you’re looking for a role as an Automation Technician, the person interviewing you might be less worried about your people skills than your capability to fix complex broken things. However, “a sense of humour never goes amiss”, and it’s important that you’re positive and enthusiastic.
Don’t be disheartened if a rejection lands in your inbox - you just might not have been the right fit for the team or company! Ali’s main advice is “don’t try to run before you can walk. Don’t be disappointed if you get rejected for a position on a big, commercial musical - the idea is to start smaller, build skills and confidence and work your way up to the bigger productions - you will probably be a better Stage Manager for it.”
Written by Misha Mah
Misha Mah is an early-career Production Manager and Producer, with an interest in immersive work and live events. She is a graduate of the University of Birmingham’s BA Drama and Theatre Arts course, and will be commencing on the MA Stage & Production Management programme at the Guildford School of Acting this fall. She is currently the Social Media Manager for The SM NEST, the network for early-career stage managers.
Company Manager Antonia Collins
Company Stage Manager Ali Wade
Published: 6 October 2021
Blog photo: Alex Brenner
When most people think of the professions they can pursue in theatre, jobs such as acting, directing and playwriting come to mind. Advice you can share with your child is that there are many careers in the theatre industry. They themselves don’t need to be a Performer or Creative. Just like in any other sector, there are individuals who work in operational roles like Administrators and Accountants. If your child wants a career that’s closer to the stage, there are many options in theatre production.
Additionally, if your child wants to have a career as a Creative within theatre, you may want to consider encouraging them to have a second, non-creative job. Don’t think of it as a backup plan for failure, but a way of financing a main goal. For instance, I work as a Freelance Administrator in order to pay for my first love, which is playwriting.
See our complete list of jobs in the theatre industry
Read more about second jobs in the theatre industry
Arts careers are sometimes viewed as less “respectable”. Therefore, the knowledge that your child wants to work in theatre may generate negativity. It’s important to remember that arts jobs require skills, just like corporate jobs do. Speaking as someone whose mother tried to steer her away from a career in the arts, I felt a lot more happy, free and confident once I started exploring playwriting opportunities.
When putting themselves forward for career opportunities in theatre, your child may face rejection. The presence of a person who supports them can make selection processes less stressful. What better cheerleader could a child have than their parent or guardian?
Read the best 10 tips on how to start a career in the theatre industry
Theatre careers may require spending money, especially when it comes to drama school. Fortunately, some institutions offer scholarships and bursaries. Moreover, public bodies like Arts Council England give out funding to Theatremakers who want to develop their skills. Even better, some training opportunities are completely free.
When it comes to careers like playwriting, qualifications aren’t essential. I was lucky enough to be selected for VAULT Festival’s New Writers Programme (VAULT Festival is now closed but you can search for similar opportunities here). I attended sessions geared toward writing a full-length play draft, watched plays and gained excellent experiences for a tiny amount of money.
For technical areas of theatre, your child can gain a qualification through an apprenticeship. Experiences can be collected through paid placements too. Thanks to Get Into Theatre, loads of opportunities are just a click away!
Written by Faye Acheampong
Faye Acheampong (she/her) is a playwright from London, who took part in VAULT Festival’s New Writers Programme 2021. Her writing explores Black British womanhood in a fantasy-like manner.
Published: 21 September 2021
Blog photo: Shutterstock
With many drama schools now into their second year of holding auditions online due to the pandemic, we check in with students from Trinity Laban’s Foundation Course, to talk about top tips for online drama school auditions, self-tapes and online interviews.
Neve Clarke, Amy Mash and Sarah Dickson tell us about what happens during the online audition process, the best techniques for online auditions and what they wish they had done differently to prepare.
“I felt self-tapes were helpful in being able to see exactly what the panel would see… This helped my confidence in what I was producing.”
“I liked how I could watch my tapes back to analyse how I was acting in my songs, monologues and dance pieces. I found this helpful as I could correct myself.”
Read our tips on how to tackle nerves and anxiety before an audition here
“Something that I think would be very beneficial is to do a mock online Zoom audition.”
“I felt I could have looked for more Shakespeare monologues so I could have a choice for each school instead of only using the same material for every school.”
“I wish I had done more on live interviews over Zoom. Being in a room I can give off my personality, however it was a lot harder through a computer.”
Find out how to prepare for a drama school audition here
“Some schools took an extremely long time to get back to me. I waited 10 weeks from one school.”
“I could have connected the computer to a speaker so I could hear the music more clearly in dance auditions.”
“I feel like some schools might have first-round auditions online because it means people do not have to spend money travelling to the schools for auditions. I do however feel it would be better for schools to at least have their second rounds in person.”
What is the best advice for getting into drama school as an Actor? Find out more here
“I would definitely make sure you set up your camera correctly. I would make sure that you use natural lighting when filming. But mostly I would say if you have an interview, you have to show so much more personality and enthusiasm because it is harder to convey through a camera.”
“Do not try and get the perfect take on your self-tape - you will drive yourself insane. Just keep trying your best. Watch your tapes back and decide what parts you need to focus on.”
Read our top 10 tips on how to self-tape and audition online here
Photo: Shutterstock
Published: 06 May 2021
Self-tape and virtual video auditions are often used in the casting process for Performers and Actors. With online communication more important than ever due to COVID-19, it is also now essential that if you want to audition or interview for drama school, college or university, you know how to succeed with an online interview or a remote self-tape audition.
Before we get into our guide to a perfect self-tape, you might be wondering what a self-tape audition is. If you are asked to audition from home or submit an online interview, you will need to film yourself performing or answering set questions, either via a live video call or by sending a video file electronically.
You will also need to consider what to wear to self-tape. You should treat your virtual audition in the same way that you would an in-person audition. If you know you’re going to have to dance during the self-tape, make sure you are wearing appropriate dancewear. Likewise, if your remote application is in an interview format, ensure you’re dressed for an interview. Bear in mind that busy patterns and stripes don’t come across well on camera, so stick to plain clothing if you can.
If you’re looking for further advice on self-taping, check out Fourth Monkey's guidance on their virtual auditions here.
For general tips on auditions and getting into drama school, see the below posts on the Get Into Theatre blog:
Published: 17 April 2020
Photo: Shutterstock
According to the Federation of Drama Schools, drama schools operate as non-profit organisations, which is why audition fees exist despite students paying to attend drama school each year, as this money goes towards the running of the school i.e. keeping the building safe and equipped with all the necessities, and paying teachers etc.
But we’re not here to talk about audition costs, we’re here to tell you about which drama schools offer free auditions.
As a way of making drama school more accessible for everyone, a large number of drama schools across the country have put a stop to audition fees and now offer auditions at no cost.
The following colleges are included in the Conservatoires for Dance and Drama (colleges for the study of classical music or other arts) and their key aim is “to increase and secure access to training for the most talented students regardless of their background.” They provide an audition and interview waiver scheme that was designed to ensure that financial barriers do not limit the ability of talented students applying to their schools.
Other drama schools who have abolished or reduced audition fees include…
Fourth Monkey made the decision to abolish audition fees in September 2019. This applies to all audition dates for 2020 intake across both courses offered by the school, consisting of their BA (Hons) Acting Two Year Accelerated Degree and the Year of the Monkey one year intensive training programme.
See all Fourth Monkey courses here.
Sarah Frankcom recently became the new Director of London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and her first act as Director was to create a new audition process and audition fee structure, which saw the cost of first round auditions slashed for all applicants by 75%.
RCSSD offers free auditions for a large number of applicants. Applicants must meet the criteria to be eligible for a free audition. See if you meet the criteria here.
See all Central School courses here.
Rose Bruford doesn’t charge audition fees if your household income is under £25,000 per year, you are a recipient of benefits including disability benefits, you have care responsibilities or you can offer evidence of financial hardship. There are a number of other requirements that would make you eligible for a free audition which you can find here.
See all courses at Rose Bruford here.
RWCMD offers audition fee waivers for applicants from low-income backgrounds. However, they are not able to refund accommodation or travel costs. Applicants for an audition fee waiver must be a current UK resident and meet one or more of the criteria which you can find here.
See all courses at RWCMD here.
If you apply via the UCAS Conservatoires application there is a fee of £25, whereas the usual audition administration fee is £55 per course. Audition fee waivers are also available and offered to applicants who may face financial hardship. See if you meet the criteria here.
See all courses at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland here.
RADA has an application process for those from low-income households to apply for a free audition. Applicants must complete an application form specifying they are applying for a free audition.
Audition fees stand at £45, however Mountview offers a number of free auditions for students unable to afford the cost. Also, if you live in Southwark you are eligible to apply for one free audition for one of the Foundation, BA or MA Performance courses. See all information here.
See all Mountview courses here.
The audition fee for ArtsEd is £45, however there is an Audition Fee Waiver Scheme in place as a means of encouraging applications from talented applicants who face financial barriers. Find out more about this here.
Guildhall is the latest performing arts school to slash their audition fees. They have reduced the audition fees for their acting courses by almost 50% in a move aimed at levelling the playing field for aspiring Performers and boosting diversity. They also offers fee waivers through a Supported Application Scheme.
See all courses at Guildhall here.
Not only do The MTA offer free auditions but they only audition 15 people each day providing every individual with written feedback and a same day decision which will save them on the costs to return for a recall.
https://www.federationofdramaschools.co.uk/articles/why-do-we-charge-audition-fees
http://www.cdd.ac.uk/students/how-to-apply/audition-and-interview-fee-waiver-scheme/
https://www.oxforddrama.ac.uk/funding-and-fees
https://www.rcs.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/dramaanddance/
http://resources.rwcmd.ac.uk/pdf/RWCMD-Audition-Fee-Waivers.pdf
https://ww2.lamda.ac.uk/all-courses/fund-your-training/fee-waivers-and-travel-bursaries
https://www.cssd.ac.uk/freeauditions
https://www.bruford.ac.uk/study/starting-here/interview-auditions/
https://www.mountview.org.uk/courses/auditions-and-interviews/
https://artsed.co.uk/courses/auditions/
Published: 17 February 2020
Photo: Shutterstock
An Audio Describer verbally describes what happens on stage for the blind or visually impaired, so that they can enjoy live performances or events. They produce a separate audio description script for the show and they recite them in real time at a live event, using specialised equipment.
You will need to complete formal training to be an Audio Describer which may or may not result in a formal qualification. However a number of other qualifications will definitely assist in your ability to complete the duties asked of this role. For example, English and Voice work for pronunciation. An understanding of theatre, set and costumes can also be beneficial when describing.
You must be able to be a good communicator. For example, if you’re describing a production such as Macbeth, you must be able to explain in detail what the Actors who play the witches are wearing, the facial expressions they are using and the way they move around the space. With the appropriate training you will be able to ensure you are able to provide an audience with enough description to bring the show visually to life.
Salaries can vary and are often paid per performance as a freelance rate, or through an agency. It depends on how many shows there are, whether the show requires travel (on tour) and the size of the cast.
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://officiallondontheatre.com/access/
https://help.atgtickets.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360017133080-What-is-an-Audio-Described-performance
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/scripter-audio-description-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm
A Dance Captain is a member of the cast or company who is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the artistic standards of all choreography and musical staging within a production.
The Dance Captain works closely with the Associate Director or Director, the Stage Manager and the Choreographer. A Dance Captain differs from a Choreographer as they work with and as part of the ensemble to ensure what the Choreographer has created is up to the standard needed for the show.
A Dance Captain often undertakes the following duties:
Most Dance Captains are also dancers within the show. This means that they might get an Understudy or Swing to play their part on the night so they can watch and make notes on the show. They then use these notes to rehearse with the Dancers and ensure the choreography is maintained. They may also have to help work out who plays what role if someone within the ensemble is absent.
A lot of Dancers do not need a formal qualification but formal training could be beneficial to help learn and develop your technique. Your training as a Dancer will help you find opportunities to be a Dance Captain. One of the following training courses could be useful to help you develop the skills needed to become a Dancer and Dance Captain:
See dance training opportunities here
Most Dance Captains begin as a member of the ensemble. The Director and Choreographer will appoint a Dance Captain for the particular piece of choreography. Throughout your career you could then become an Assistant Choreographer and then a Choreographer.
This amount can vary depending on the size of the production, the theatre and the number of tickets sold. Equity rates for 2024/25 state Dance Captains earn an extra £50 per week on top of their performers’s rate. See our blog 'What does an Actor do?' for more details on their pay.
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.
See dance training opportunities here
https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/dance-captain-job-explained-77026/
https://www.mgcfutures.com/careers/dance-captain/
https://www.dancespirit.com/ins-and-outs-of-dance-captain-2532517084.html
Photo: Shutterstock
Updated: 23rd May 2024
Where do you start when you are looking for a career in the theatre industry? It’s challenging getting a job in any industry and the competitive nature of the theatre industry is often seen as a barrier. If you follow our top 10 tips, you will definitely be in a better position to not only get a job in the theatre industry but also be a success in your chosen field.
Having goals is something that will help you in the long run as it will give you something to work towards. But don’t forget, the journey to any career is never a straight, easy path - especially in theatre. There will be things that take you in all different directions and this is normal. As long as you don’t lose sight of what you want to gain and what you want your end goal to be, you will find the right career in theatre for you.
Not everyone wants to study and that’s fine because that’s not the only way to begin your theatre career or be successful within the theatre industry. There are so many ways to do this so you must do your research to find out what these ways are. We’ve made it easy for you because we’ve put all this information in one place. It’s good to have a rough idea of what job role you would like to pursue within the theatre industry. If you’re not sure what job in theatre you are best suited to, don’t worry. Our handy blogs describing different jobs within theatre will help give you an insight to the many different roles available and what you need to do to get there.
Take a look at our job descriptions here.
It will benefit you so much to have as much experience within your chosen area of theatre as possible, especially if you don’t want to study. If you don’t have a formal qualification (for example, a degree), having experience is what is going to make you stand out to potential employers when applying for jobs. Experience comes in many different forms but the three main forms are work experience, apprenticeships and internships. You can find information about all three of these experience opportunities here.
This is always a good suggestion because let’s face it, who doesn’t want to go to the theatre? Not only that but seeing a variety of different theatre shows will help you if you’re interested in a particular area of theatre e.g. if you’re interested in lighting you can take notes of lighting designs which peak your interest or are particularly inventive. Some theatre tickets can be a little expensive but don’t worry we’ve got that covered too. You can find a number of different ticket schemes where you can get discounted theatre tickets right here.
This is the 21st century and almost everything is on social media. Try and be as active as you can without becoming anti-social. It’s a great tool to keep up-to-date with industry news, shows and upcoming theatremakers. It may sound obvious but never post any offensive or discriminating posts on any of your social media channels. Some employers like to view their employees social media pages and you don’t want something inappropriate to pop up that you wrote 10 years ago!
This can be daunting but once you get into the flow of it, it can be really fun and so invaluable to you in the future. You should network every chance you get and this doesn’t always have to be at a networking event; it may be a fellow Performer you met at an audition or your best friends cousin who is the Head of Lighting behind Wicked the musical. There are also loads of networking events available for young theatremakers which you can find here.
It may be difficult at times to remain positive when starting out in a new career in theatre but it is really important to approach everything with positivity, especially when you’re going for interviews/auditions. If you’re an Actor auditioning can be constant throughout your career and you must always go into your auditions thinking that anything is possible. This is the same with any interviews for offstage roles too. If you go in with a negative attitude it will only go downhill from there.
When you’re new in the industry (even when you are more established) you’re likely to make mistakes. Of course you are, you’re only human and this is totally natural. Accept you have made a mistake but always make sure you have learnt from the experience and then move on to the next thing. There is no need to lose sleep over a little mistake because this may affect your ability to complete other tasks and could lead you to make more mistakes. Accept it, learn from it and move on to the next thing.
When you’re at the very beginning of your career in theatre, it’s wise to be realistic about what you want to achieve as well as what you are able to achieve. If you begin with an unrealistic goal it is unlikely you will get there at the beginning of your career and this can knock your confidence. Remember, every little step counts and these things take time.
Fringe Theatres and Festivals are a popular way to get a new piece of theatre noticed and produced. It can also be a great way to kick start your theatre career. Fringe venues are all over the country and features every type of theatre you can imagine. Most shows are brand new that no one has ever seen before. One of the more well-known fringe festivals is Edinburgh Fringe. The TV show Fleabag started as a one woman show at the Festival. It was later adapted into an internationally famous award-winning TV show that we all know. Fringe theatre is a great opportunity to learn, get tips and ideas on theatre, performance, comedy and more, the sky's the limit. Remember to always make sure you are paid fairly when working on the fringe.
https://www.ypia.co.uk/posts/10-tips-for-getting-into-theatre
https://targetcareers.co.uk/career-sectors/arts-and-creative/1015387-careers-in-theatre
A Theatre Manager oversees the day-to-day operations and management of a venue or performing arts centre. They deal with administrative and production-related aspects of a theatre. They can address the financial, marketing and organisational concerns when necessary to ensure the theatre operates successfully.
You do not need any formal qualifications to become a Theatre Manager, however the subjects below could help:
Search for training opportunities in theatre management to help you get into theatre here
This role is office based and varies in responsibilities. You can begin in a more general entry level role such as an Office Assistant working your way up the company and gaining skills and experience along the way. This job role requires a lot of responsibility, so you must be someone who is reliable and trustworthy as well as strong headed and organised.
The salary of a Theatre Manager can vary depending on experience, the size of the theatre and the level of programming or producing in a venue. This role is a senior role and pay will reflect this.
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.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/theatre-manager
https://uk.talent.com/salary?job=theatre+manager
https://www.firstcareers.co.uk/careers/what-is-it-like-to-be-a-theatre-manager/
Photo: Alex Brenner
Updated: 6th June 2024
