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.
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.
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:
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.
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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
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
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.
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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
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.
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.
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
Photo: Royal Opera House
Published: 16 May 2019
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
From the outside the theatre industry can feel daunting, especially if you don’t understand some of the language or jargon that people use. Our beginner’s guide to the theatre industry is a great starting point to help you understand the basic theatre terms and definitions to words such as ‘the half', ‘tabs’ and ‘wings' and so much more. So next time you’re going to an audition, job interview or starting some work experience you’ll be able to show off your expert theatre industry knowledge by using these theatre terms.
Can refer to Artistic Director or Assistant Director
From Latin phrase 'Ad libitum' which translates to 'at one's pleasure'. For an Actor to speak and move in character without direction or following the script. Often used if a mistake is made and the actor improvises to get back to the script
Someone who acts on behalf of Performers to help find them work
Amateur dramatics, non-professional theatre
The front of the stage that juts out in front of the proscenium arch
Someone who oversees the artistic programme of the theatre as well as managing funding, budgets and staff
Assistant Stage Manager
A type of interview for a Performer to showcase their talents and check their suitability for a role
The call given to Actors five minutes before the start of the performance to ensure they are in position
The instructions of where the Actors need to stand or move
The American equivalent of the West End, located in Manhattan, New York. A central area for performances such as plays and musicals
The time in which you must arrive for your rehearsals or for the show
The communication system between departments, usually through a headset
The middle of the stage
A sequence of steps and movements for staged dances and performances
Casting an Actor for their ability over what their appearance is. Often used for characters where race, gender or ethnicity is not mentioned in the play
A drama school or performing arts training institution with conservatoire status, meaning training is particularly intensive
Company Stage Manager
A trigger for an action to happen
The end of the show, usually when the actors take their bows
When a theatre is not currently being used for performances
The front of the stage, nearest the auditorium
A school which specialises in teaching about performance and theatre
A rehearsal in costume where the full production is performed
Deputy Stage Manager
A part of a play with speaking roles for only two Actors
Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world. It takes place every August, with a large number of performances at different venues across the city.
When the audience is on one side of the stage
A group of Actors who play background roles and appear in multiple scenes, can also be used to refer to an entire theatre company
A union for people working in the performing arts, including Actors
The rigging system made up of ropes and pulleys that enables Stage Crew to quickly move large pieces of scenery
A metaphor for the invisible and imaginary 'wall' between the Actors on stage and the audience
Theatre that is experimental in style or subject matter. The term comes from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Fringe are small-scale theatres often located above pubs, and are the equivalent of New York's Off-Off-Broadway Theatres and Europe's 'free theatre' groups
Fitting of the set in the theatre
Taking down and removing the set from the theatre
Warning called when the lights are about to be turned off
The call given to Actors half an hour before they are to be called to start the performance. This is given at 35 minutes before the start of the show
Professional photograph of yourself which you hand out at auditions and to Agents
The auditorium
The lights in the auditorium
Short hand for improvisation where an Actor comes up with lines on the spot, unrehearsed
When the audience sit on every side of the stage
Safety curtain used to separate the stage from the audience in case of a fire
The lighting department
Afternoon performance of a show
A speech by only one Actor
An Actor who plays more than one character in a play
An initiative created by the National Theatre where they broadcast their productions live via satellite to cinemas and arts centres around the world
Launch night of a production which invites members of the press to review the production for their publication e.g The Stage
A set of performances for the public before its official opening. They are used by Directors to highlight any problems and correct them before opening/press night when critics review the production
Someone who tells Actors their lines if they forget them, or the act of telling actors their lines if they have forgotten them
Research and development - often used to explore a new idea/concept
A system of theatre where one group of Actors appear in multiple productions at the same time. Often shortened to just Rep
A re-staging of a production after its original run has closed
A system of ropes and chains to support some sort of frames i.e. the set of a production or lighting
The Royal Shakespeare Company. A theatre company who perform the works of Shakespeare and Playwrights of today. Their main home is in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace.
Text of a play
William Shakespeare. English Poet, Playwright and Actor. Regarded as the greatest Playwright in the English language and the world's greatest Dramatist
A performance for Performers to showcase their talent to industry professionals in a hope of gaining work and or an Agent
Used in musical theatre and opera - first rehearsal between the Singers and the Orchestra
Stage Manager
Society of London Theatre is the trade organisation representing West End theatres and other major London theatres
A casting notices website
Left hand side of the stage in accordance to those on the stage facing the audience (if you are standing on the stage looking out to the auditorium, this will be on your left)
Right hand side of the stage in accordance to those on the stage facing the audience (if you are standing on the stage looking out to the auditorium, this will be on your right)
First run of the show in order of events
To remove the set from the stage
Short hand for sound
A rehearsal to practice the technical elements of the performance
The world's oldest and best theatre publication, offering theatre news from London's West End and across the UK, including news, jobs and interviews. Visit thestage.co.uk
A type of staging which includes the stage extending past the proscenium arch into the auditorium. The thrust will have audience sit on three sides of the stage
Running through the play in sections where the cues need to be practised, such as a lighting or sound change. The Actors will only say the lines at the beginning and end of each section for the cues
Type of staging where the audience sit on either side of the stage, facing each other
UK's leading theatre and performing arts membership organisation. They promote excellence, professional development and campaign to improve resilience and increase audiences across the sector
The back of the stage, nearest the backdrop
A department within a production or theatre where all costumes and props are made, kept and maintained
The main commercial and subsidised theatres in London, including its oldest and most prestigious venues. The British version of Broadway
The sides of the stage (offstage)
A form of documented theatre in which plays are constructed from the precise words spoken by people interviewed about a particular event or topic
Often referred to as a showreel, it is a short edited video which showcases an individual's previous work in video
A short edited video which showcases an individual's previous voice work on video
Find more theatre careers advice here
Photo: Arts Educational Schools, London
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
Rejection is something that most people working in theatre will regularly experience. Whether you are trying to get into drama school, having an audition or interview, getting an agent or just trying to get seen by the right people, you will experience rejection throughout your career. So, how do you deal with it?
Use your rejection as experience. Take on board any comments you may have received and use them to improve yourself for the next opportunity. Go for every experience that comes your way – especially when it comes to auditions or interviews, the more you do, the more you will feel comfortable with the experience. Those who you may look up to in the industry went through a lot of rejection before they got to where they are now.
Search all theatre opportunities here
Sometimes you may be rejected for something that is outside of your control. It’s not a reflection on your talent, but could be something such as your height which you can’t change. Focus on your strengths and remind yourself of what you are good at and where your skills lie, don’t let the rejection put you off for the next time you have an audition or interview.
Find more theatre careers advice here
A rejection may not be a completely shut door. You may not have been the right fit for that role or job in that circumstance, but the interviewer may think of you in the future for something else. Each interview or audition is an opportunity to network and meet new people who you may work with further down the line.
Remind yourself of the saying ‘when one door closes another door opens’. A rejection doesn’t have to be the end of the world and another opportunity could present itself that is better and more suited to you. Try not to weigh all your hope on one opportunity, as this puts a lot of pressure on you and this may result in you not performing your best during the interview/audition. Take a look at our blog on How to tackle nerves and anxiety for further advice on this.
If you do find yourself upset at a rejection you have received, then allow yourself that time to feel upset about it and then work out a plan on how you will move forward from it. Give yourself a day to go through those emotions and then think about your next steps; how will you grow and learn from this experience?
Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here
https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/2016/ul-clayton-how-should-actors-cope-with-rejection/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-strong/on-rejection-and-resilien_b_8648058.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzuL4Jsdbdw
Photo: Rose Bruford
Published: 04 March 2019
To work as a freelancer or on a freelance basis means working on a contract basis for a variety of companies rather than being an employee of a single company. Freelancers are often self-employed.
There are many roles in theatre which you may do as a freelancer rather than on a permanent contract. There are lots of benefits that come with being a freelancer including the flexibility to take on the work that inspires you. Before you set yourself up to work as a freelancer these are the four key things you need to know.
Search all theatre opportunities to help you get into theatre here
Think of yourself as a business; the product that you are selling is yourself and your craft. Recognise what your strengths are so you know how to upsell yourself, and also understand where your weaknesses lie so you can work on these.
Having the confidence to approach people and discuss opportunities is important as a freelancer. Have a business card with your contact details and a short description of what you do is a good starting point and gives you a reason to approach somebody.
Networking can be daunting, but remember that people are just people and sometimes just having a short conversation and introducing yourself can make a huge difference. If you watch a piece of theatre that you enjoyed and have the opportunity to see the Director, Producer or Artistic Director afterwards then it’s okay to approach them and compliment them on the show. For example, if you are aspiring to be a Lighting Designer, have in mind a section of the lighting that impressed you and why.
Make sure you are professional and don’t gush too much or overstay your welcome when you start up a conversation. Go over with the intention of just saying a quick comment, if they instigate they'd like to continue the conversation then that’s great, but also don’t be offended if they don’t. Your quick conversation can still have a big impact and lasting impression.
Promote yourself on social media. Use Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok, LinkedIn and Instagram to follow industry professionals and comment on performances you have seen or workshops you have been to etc. If you have met an industry professional and then follow up later with a quick tweet, this can remind them of who you are and what you do.
Find more theatre careers advice view all of our blogs here
In between work as a freelancer is where self-motivation is required. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people and others in the same industry as you can really help. Continue learning and growing with your craft, go to classes or workshops.
When you aren’t working, give yourself a reason to get up out of bed. If you are spending this time adding to your portfolio, practising a song, or sending applications then the idea of doing this from your bed is tempting, however can become a habit which is hard to shift. Set your alarm, get showered and dressed as though you are going to work as this will help shift your mindset into ‘work mode’ and you may feel more productive.
Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here
You will need to register yourself up as self-employed with HMRC in order to pay your taxes. You can do this here. This is compulsory for any freelancer or business. Each year you will submit your earnings to HMRC and they will work out how much tax you owe, or if you need a tax rebate. If you are a PAYE employee then tax will automatically be deducted from your payslip, however when you invoice a company for your time the tax will not be taken into consideration so you need to declare this to pay the right tax. A new website and app has been set up called Sans Drama, this has been created by a Performer and an Accountant to help those working in theatre understand how to file your taxes. Find out more about Sans Drama here.
You can claim for expenses that you have purchased to do with your trade. For example, keep receipts of classes, workshops or any travel you have needed to take in order to complete your job as a freelancer. When you are inputting your taxes into HMRC you can also add in these receipts and claim against your taxes. Some people employ an Accountant to help them input their taxes and expenses into HMRC.
It's ok to have a second job to support yourself, alongside your theatre work. View our 'Misconception Series: If you were good enough you wouldn’t need a day job' blog.
https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself
Photo: Arts Educational Schools London
Updated: 12th June 2024
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Here are some companies, charities and websites that offer support around mental health aimed at those working in the theatre and performing arts industry.
ArtsMinds is a collaborative initiative from British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), Equity, Spotlight and The Stage to bring together into one place a raft of resources for Performers and creative practitioners facing mental health issues.
https://wellbeinginthearts.org.uk
Wellbeing in the Arts is an organisation that provides resources such as counselling and coaching for individuals as well as services for employers and businesses including workshops, talks, seminars, events, and mental health first aid training.
Be Extra is a resource hub of intersting, fun and easy-to-digest digital resources to help support the mental health and wellbeing of creative minds.
https://www.industryminds.co.uk
Industry Minds was founded in 2018 by Actors Scarlett Maltman and Cathy Read with a goal to better mental health support to those in the creative arts industry. This organistaion offers free one-to-one counselling sessions who need it in the industry.
https://applauseforthought.co.uk
Applause for thought offers one-to-one support, talks, workshops and accredited mental health training courses with the aim to empower individuals and organisations within the industry and equip them with the knowledge and tools surrounding mental health.
