A way in to work

Get Into Theatre is a new website aimed at giving careers information and advice for young people aged 14 to 25. The idea was to put performing into context as only one of the roles in theatre. The site, commissioned by Arts Council England’s Young People’s Participatory Theatre project, aims to open people’s eyes to the huge variety of careers in the industry – and how to get there. Get Into Theatre interviews people who are already working in theatre and gives details on over 80 back- and off-stage careers in theatre. Case studies by working Stage Managers show that there is no ‘one way’ to break into the role, or what is thought of as essential to the job.

Martha Everett is 23. She moved to Bristol, having studied in London, gaining a stage management and technical theatre degree from Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She says that there isn’t a typical day – she could be making props, watching rehearsals, driving around, working closely with the team. Martha says, “You need to take every opportunity you can, phone people up, apply for jobs you never think you could get, be really self confident and most of all relax – no one likes an uptight stage manager!”

Rachel Hartland, 33, volunteered as a followspot operator before gaining her stage management diploma from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She is now stage manager at the Northcott Theatre, Exeter. “Despite my dyslexia, I got a BTEC national diploma in performing arts and then did a two-year stage management course. Go into stage management with your eyes wide open. It’s hard work and anti-social, but I don’t think anything beats the feeling of achievement that you get when you find the prop you never thought you’d find, or at the end of the first night, when three days before you thought the technical rehearsal would never end!”

Patricia Davenport is a company stage manager. She studied stage management at Mountview Theatre School. She sees networking as important, but her main advice is clear: “See shows, go on placements in theatres. Work hard and be willing to learn.”

The site is filled with case studies of theatre professionals, ranging from rigger to wig maker. There are also career ladders and real job descriptions, ideas for which qualifications to study and where, and a section on work experience. For those who are looking for a more interactive route, there are quizzes, games and a short film, a CV clinic and a ‘your questions answered’ section.

Get Into Theatre is different for several reasons:

• It has both national and regional information, meaning it can be used by young people, parents, teachers and advisers across England and beyond.
• It’s not job, sector or trade association specific, meaning we can offer a range of routes into diverse jobs.
• It’s also wholly inclusive of all theatre jobs, including street arts and circus, and isn’t building-focused.

The site is brought alive by, and illustrated with, real life content – case studies, career ladders, interviews – and written specifically for young
people.