High School / College Technician

[deranged-angel]

Hi All,

I'm currently working in a theatre but my contract runs out in March and although I'm pretty sure they will ask me to renew it, it is only seasonal work and I could do with something a little more permanent. (Permanent?! I hear you shout, what's that then?!)

 

I was thinking about High School and College work. When I originally went to Uni, I was going to follow my degree with a teacher training course but kind of fell into the land of Technical Theatre and haven't looked back since. I love my job and thought that working in a school or college would combine teaching with the technical side as well as helping me to do some more designs etc.

 

Could anybody give me an indication of the qualifications and or experience I would need please? My plan is to apply for some info packs for job so I can gain an understanding of their requirements but there aren't any jobs going! Which leads me to my second question; where is the best place to look for those sort of jobs? I've tried The Stage and local job centre but perhaps there are other places to look? Perhaps there are just no jobs in that field!!

 

Thanks Folks

 

Em

[PDD]

There are lots of jobs in this area - particularly the independent school sector, but also increasingly in state schools which have specialist performing arts status. (Take a look at the website in my sig to see just a few of us).

 

To be honest, there is no formal requirement for anything in particular. Each school/college will determine it's own criteria. I think it's fair to say that most places will now expect a degree or similar qualification (not necessarily theatre based), as we're talking about academic institutions here, as well as experience of course. However, it's been proved that some schools will take just about anybody, as the schools don't seem to know what they're looking for. It's just my personal opinion, but I'd avoid these places as they tend to involve longer hours/greater workload/less pay than some, but I know plenty of people who choose to work in those sort of schools quite happily.

 

It's a very rewarding job, but hours and expectations can be demanding - if you're lucky, this is offset by school holidays or higher salaries, but not always. Plus, you tend to be your own master - managing the theatre, specifying equipment, designing and producing every production, as well as having some input into teaching. Facilities are also generally good, with most schools now rushing to build/refurbish better dedicated theatres on campus - complete with full-time technician(s).

 

Quite a lot of school/college jobs are advertised on The Stage. (Bearing in mind, term has just started so it's probably the wrong time to look. Give it a few weeks and there maybe vacancies coming up for starting next term or half-term).

 

PM or e-mail me if you need any more info. And don't forget, if you get a job, join the STSG!! :)

[mar]

When I originally went to Uni, I was going to follow my degree with a teacher training course but kind of fell into the land of Technical Theatre and haven't looked back since. I love my job and thought that working in a school or college would combine teaching with the technical side as well as helping me to do some more designs etc.

 

Sounds surprising like the situation I found myself in last year. I had even got as far as starting a PGCE before realising that straight teaching was not for me.

The good news is it is certainly possible to find a good school/college without specific qualifications as I have none (besdies a physics degree) and now am happily employed. The most important things you deed are enthusiasm and experience both of which it seems you have.

I found my post from an advert in The Stage, bear in mind that more often that not these posts work around the school year so most people move/start jobs in September - in which case, the number of places looking now is limited. However something seems to crop up on The Stage about once a month. I also found adverts occasionally in the local paper job section, however at the time I was living in Oxford which has a larger than average number of private schools with theatres locally.

 

Be patient and keep looking.

 

Good luck

[deranged-angel]

Thanks folks for the positive feedback.

 

I have had a little look at the STSG - there's a link from the blue-room on to it and it seems like quite a useful site.

 

I'll be patient and keep looking! I have a couple of months until this contract finishes and I believe most people would hand their notice in around June / July time. Ah well, that only leaves a couple of months for temping...or a holiday :(

 

Thanks again

 

Em