An Access Officer leads the planning of a theatre’s production programme for accessible performances. They ensure the building is accessible for Actors and audience members. An Access Officer will make sure that a person can enter and exit the venue with ease, e.g. a wheelchair user. A “relaxed performance” may occasionally be offered, during which typical theatre protocols are relaxed and sound levels are lowered. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who may need to move around, speak, or enter and exit the auditorium more frequently. There are also occasional performances with BSL Performers ,captions or audio description.
There are no specific qualifications required to become an Access Officer however any formal qualifications in the following subjects might be beneficial:
Search through training opportunities from across the theatre industry to find a relevant qualification to become an Access Officer.
Relevant experience in access and working with groups of people who require additional support is essential for employers as it shows your commitment to this field of work. Work experience, apprenticeships and internships will help you gain experience and new skills which you can transfer into this role.
Wage for an Access Officer can vary and not every venue or company is fortunate to have someone dedicated to Access. Wages can be anywhere between £20k - £31k depending on the employer, your qualifications and experience. It is a rewarding role for both the people you’re supporting and the venue.
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/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-officer
Updated: 6th June 2024
A Set Designer creates the look of the stage through designing a set for a theatre production. This role is a combination of creativity and practicality as Set Designers must create not only the design but also make sure it can practically come to life within budget.
Search through opportunities in set design to help you get into theatre here
A majority of Set Designers training will take place on the job. You can also gain a position as a Set Designer through a university course, college course, apprenticeship or working towards the role. If you would like to study to become a Set Designer you can study for a qualification in one of the following areas. You can gain a qualification in any of the following subjects:
Search for apprenticeships here 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.
If you choose not to study and gain a job through experience, volunteer at your local theatre or try and get a work experience placement at a slightly larger theatre. Seeking mentors and requesting shadow experience can help you learn from those already working in the industry. Research which Designers make the sets you like, so you can learn what your design aesthetic could be and what journey they took. With more experience and developing your skills you can work on larger scale productions.
Watch this great video from award-winning Set Designer Khadija Raza.
The role of a Set Designer can vary depending on the scale of the production as well as the actual size of the theatre. Most Set Designers work on a freelance basis unless they belong to a big theatre. For one production, 2024/2025 Equity rates suggest a design 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.
Find designing opportunities and training offered from across the theatre industry here
You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here
https://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/job-profile/set-designer
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/set-designer
https://www.itc-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rates-of-Pay-2024-27-Sheet.pdf
Photo: Shutterstock
Updated: 23rd May 2024
The Company Manager works on a variety of different jobs within the theatre. They work closely with all levels of cast and production staff. They act as a link between the Theatre Manager, the production company and the rest of the company.
You don’t need any formal qualifications, however there are a number of qualifications you can get in different areas which may help you gain skills for the position:
Find training opportunities to help you get into theatre here
There are a number of different ways you can become a Company Manager. You can begin as part of the admin team, assist the Company Manager and then work your way up. You can even start as Front of House or an Usher and learn on the job about communicating between departments.
A general rate of pay is roughly between £25K and £40K.
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/news/a-life-in-the-theatre-company-manager-344221/
https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/company-manager-theater
Updated: 6th June 2024
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 brings together careers information and opportunities from creative organisations in one explorable directory.
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 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.
Get Into Theatre has over 2,000 opportunities from more than 1,700 organisations, schools and theatres all over the UK and will change the way young people look at theatre. Our aim is to inform, advise and, most importantly, support young people with their career in theatre. But, we can’t do it alone.
Get Into Theatre can only continue to be a success through the support from organisations like yourselves and there are numerous ways you can show your support to make a change in our industry.
Please click here to donate via our Just Giving Page. Every little Helps!
We are keen to hear from individuals who believe in our charity and want to support our mission. You can contribute financially to our charitable work and be credited as a supporter. Contact Alex on alex@getintotheatre.org to find out more.
Opportunities on the website will fall into one of the following categories:
If you are part of an organisation, school or theatre and you have an opportunity, upload it on our website here.
Alternatively, contact admin@getintotheatre.org
If you would like to reach and engage even more young people while also supporting Get Into Theatre, we offer a month of banner advertising across our website for a £1,000 donation to the charity. We have had over 1.3 million users to our website, with monthly traffic of around 25,000-40,000 users. Please contact alex@getintotheatre.org to find out more.
We welcome as many supporters as possible and you can be one of them by sharing the website where possible among the appropriate organisations and young people within your networks and ask them to upload their opportunities. Plus, give us a shout out on your social media channels @GetIntoTheatre and #GetIntoTheatre
Get Into Theatre will continue to grow, continue to inform and continue to support. It will change our industry for the better and it will open the industry that some of us have been lucky enough to be a part of, to all. Get Into Theatre will achieve this, but only with your support. Thank you for helping us with our mission to achieve this.
Photo: Alex Brenner
Last updated: 10 July 2024
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.
Search all theatre opportunities here
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.
Find more theatre careers advice here
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:
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
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
An Usher is responsible for the customer service of the audience before, during and after a performance. They are often situated within the auditorium to both supervise and assist the audience during a show.
Although there are not any specific qualifications you need for this role, here are some subjects that could be useful to have:
Search opportunities to help you get into theatre here
You can gain a role as an Usher at entry level and either cross over to Front of House or Box Office roles. With more experience you can look at moving up to Front of House Manager or Box Office Manager. Working as an Usher can also be a great job to have in between other theatre jobs. Read our blogs 'What do Front of House staff do?' and 'What does a Front of House Manager do?'
Pay is typically minimum wage and between £10 - £15 per hour for a casual role. Often, you will have a minimum show call, which can mean you are paid for at least two hours of your time. SOLT/BECTU rates for 2024 suggest a minimum show call of 3 3/4 hours at £43.54 or £38.98 if topped up with commission.
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.myplan.com/careers/ushers-lobby-attendants-and-ticket-takers/description-39-3031.00.html
https://www.artscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2013-14-USHER-JOB-DESCRIPTION.pdf
https://uk.indeed.com/career/usher/salaries
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/london-usher-salary-SRCH_IL.0,6_IM1035_KO7,12.htm
https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/young-vic-ushers-pay-rise-welcomed-by-union
https://members.bectu.org.uk/advice-resources/library/3176
Updated:6th June 2024
A Playwright writes plays either in their own time or by request from a theatre, theatre company or Producer. They create stories, characters and dialogue for the stage. They collaborate with Directors, Producers and others to bring their scripts to life on stage.
You can search for playwriting opportunities from across the theatre industry here
While there are no specific qualifications needed to be a Playwright, these courses could be beneficial:
Having a portfolio of work can really help to showcase your writing abilities.
Here are some subjects that you can study at school which will teach you some useful skills for becoming a Playwright:
Search for training opportunities to help you get into playwriting here
If you are thinking of becoming a Playwright, these can be the desirable skills to be an ideal candidate:
As a Playwright starting out you will be spending most of your time alone, creating and writing plays in your spare time. You can then send your plays to theatres or companies who may decide to take your work on and perform it. Once you have experience of your plays being performed you may get the opportunity to be commissioned by a theatre or company to write a play for them. You can also get a Literary Agent and Publisher to get your work published. Some Playwrights are also Actors, Directors and/or Producers too and some Playwrights write alongside the rehearsal process.
Most Playwrights are freelancers. As a freelancer you can negotiate your fee with the company, this would usually be based on how long the run of the show will be, the size of the audience and the ticket prices. If you get your play published then you will earn profits from the sales of your play or the rights to perform it. Learn more about freelancing with our blog How to be a freelancer in theatre.'
The Writers’ Guild UK Theatre rate for a commission for a full-length play – more than 70 minutes – is around £7,769 - £10,880, with ITC rates suggesting a minimum of £9, 176. There will also be additional royalties and a daily rehearsal rate (correct as of May 2024). You could also become a 'writer in residence' for some theatres, which have a larger fee attached and a longer contract.
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 Playwriting jobs via The Stage Jobs here
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/writer
https://myjobsearch.com/careers/playwright.html
https://www.itc-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rates-of-Pay-2024-27-Sheet.pdf
https://writersguild.org.uk/rates-agreements/
Photo: Alex Brenner
Updated: 16 May 2024
It’s not a bad thing to have nerves before an interview or theatre audition – it is your body’s way of showing that you really care about what you are pursuing. However, sometimes nerves and anxiety can affect our behaviour and it’s good to learn how to control this, so that it doesn’t affect your performance in the interview/audition. Even the most experienced professionals can still feel nervous sometimes!
noun
"he felt a surge of anxiety"
The NHS says: “anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.” It is a normal feeling to have before an interview or doing something for the first time. Your heart rate may rise and you can start feeling a bit hot and sweaty.
Search all theatre opportunities here
Preparation is the key to help you feel more at ease on the day. Follow the tips below to ensure you keep your nerves under control.
Find more theatre careers advice here
Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here
Remember that it’s not the end of the world if the interview didn’t go to plan. Take each interview as experience that you can use for the next one. Try not to dwell on it afterwards – you’ve done everything you can and given it your best shot, it’s now out of your control. Give yourself something to look forward to after your interview, book yourself in for a treat where you can relax afterwards and take your mind off it – you deserve it!
If you need to speak to someone about anything that is concerning you then contact http://www.artsminds.co.uk/
Published: 04 March 2019
If you would like to pursue a career within the theatre industry, most plan to go to drama school. This can be an extremely stressful process to some as there is a lot of pressure to do well and get into the school of their choice. Knowing what to expect at your audition is the first step.
Make sure you do your research and only apply for the schools that you really want to study at. Auditions can be costly - up to £50 per school - and then there’s the travel and accommodation (if you need to stay overnight) costs to think about too. Go to open days if you can, as you’ll be able to get a better sense of the school and what they have to offer, you’ll be able to see if it really is the place for you. Give yourself a few options, it’s best not to just go for one school.
Search all theatre opportunities here
You have been given the date of your first audition, well done! Now, you need to think about the logistics of how to get there, to make the day run as smooth as possible. Book your travel in advance and give yourself plenty of time to get there, allow time for delays and traffic – you don’t want to feel flustered before you’ve even turned up. Aim to arrive an hour before your audition starts, this will give you enough time to look around the area to see if it is the place for you - if you do get a place at the school, this will be where you spend the majority of your time.
Most drama schools ask for a Shakespeare and contemporary speech, but make sure to check the requirements of each school you are auditioning for, as they may ask for something different. Find contrasting monologues where you can show off different skills and be versatile. Choose a character who is similar to you and around your own age, a character that you feel you could be cast as in a professional production. It’s also best to stick to your own accent, if you were to change accents then it has to be perfect and not distract from your acting.
Find more theatre careers advice here
Learn your lines well and make bold decisions on how you want to first present the monologue. However, be aware that the audition panel may give you directions and ask you to perform the speech in different ways. Be open and adaptable – listen to their instructions, be able to drop any pre-made decisions you had thought of. They want to see if you are able to play and try out new ideas. Practise your monologues in front of friends or family, get used to how to perform this to a panel rather than just practising on your own.
It’s also best to read the whole play from where your monologue is from. You will be able to understand the character and their motivations, which will help you in the context of the monologue. Make sure you understand what is happening in the monologue – if there is a word or phrase you don’t understand, do your research or ask for help from a friend or drama teacher.
Wear clothes that are easy to move around in – tracksuits or leggings are common to wear in an audition room. You may have a warm-up or group workshop, which will require you to be physical, so you don’t want to wear restricting clothes. If you have long hair, it might be best to tie this up away from your face. Make sure to also bring an umbrella and be prepared for all kinds of weather – you want to turn up looking fresh and feeling prepared.
Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here
https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/2017/how-to-prepare-for-drama-school-auditions/
https://actinginlondon.co.uk/nail-drama-school-audition/
Photo: Shutterstock
Published: 04 March 2019
