Internship in London/West End?

[Kaz10Sylvester]

Hello,

 

I am currently studying Technical Theatre & Stage Management and I have been looking around currently to see if there are any west end theatres or theatres in london who are offering an Internship or Job in the west end, where I can learn on the job. I have been looking for a while but I cannot find this information on the websites or by going to talk at the stage doors. Are there any theatres offering an internship for a year yet available?

 

Thanks

[erroneousblack]

Groundhog Day!

[ramdram]

Kelly it may be you have to cast your net further afield and try out in the suburbs. It may be that even then the intern thing still does not happen and you might just get the odd show...

 

If you get really desperate there are always the amdrams...but beware of expecting anything remotely "structured".

[Jivemaster]

The chance of a West End theatre having a space for an unknown person who is new to the industry is NIL. West End is probably the most critical part of the whole theatre industry. High ticket prices and hotel costs mean that there is NO Room for people who are not FULLY up to speed. The only worse place would be Cruising where you must succede on a personal and professional level.

 

Try looking at outer London theatres and even out of London theatres. Your profile says North Wales -look there too. Apply to Butlins Pontins etc for Winter season staff work -You'll work hard and get paid a little, maybe get food and accommodation as well.

[Ynot]

If you get really desperate there are always the amdrams...but beware of expecting anything remotely "structured".

Actually, I take some exception to the suggestion that tars all am dram with the same brush.

Yes, there are those at the base of the ladder with few if any crew with any real experience.

But similarly there are others that have a highly structured approach to stage work and provide polished support for their shows.

 

And having worked in both camps I can say that I know a good many amateurs who are FAR more organised and proficient than many who profess to be professionals...!

[GridGirl]

As Jivemaster said, you're pretty much not going to find what you're looking for in the West End itself. You might (repeat, MIGHT!) have more luck at a producing theatre like the National or the Globe, as they don't just have already-rehearsed shows bump in and open as a West End theatre does, but rehearse a show from scratch. The Royal Court might be another one which is worth a look as well, or Hampstead Theatre.

[ramdram]

Amdrams. You may well be right Ynot, but what are the chances Kelly just happens to stumble across one of these "as good as if not better than pro" groups? Pretty slim.

[kerry davies]

Tony I don't think Ram was being confrontational as Kaz is a member of an "amdram" that has a decent rep up in Gogland.

Kaz has also done two sets of free work experience and is living in London so really should know the score on internships and how some of us feel they devalue the industry. We have plenty of topics in "search" about the subject which explains Erroneous' comment.

 

I would have thought that a school charging significant fees, based in London and employing former professionals would have been able to sort their students out a little better. This comes down to the honesty or otherwise of educational establishments yet again and some do not appear to inform their "customers" about life after education. Where do they think their students will get work?

 

Not having a go at Kaz, who is if anything the victim. I would suggest that one of the better ways to get into West End theatre would be to go back to Theatr Clwyd and start building from a home base where I was already "part of the scene".

[Kaz10Sylvester]

Tony I don't think Ram was being confrontational as Kaz is a member of an "amdram" that has a decent rep up in Gogland.

Kaz has also done two sets of free work experience and is living in London so really should know the score on internships and how some of us feel they devalue the industry. We have plenty of topics in "search" about the subject which explains Erroneous' comment.

 

I would have thought that a school charging significant fees, based in London and employing former professionals would have been able to sort their students out a little better. This comes down to the honesty or otherwise of educational establishments yet again and some do not appear to inform their "customers" about life after education. Where do they think their students will get work?

 

Not having a go at Kaz, who is if anything the victim. I would suggest that one of the better ways to get into West End theatre would be to go back to Theatr Clwyd and start building from a home base where I was already "part of the scene".

 

 

Thank you very much for all the comments, they have been a help.

 

I understand that some people in the industry would view 'learners' as a bit of a pain, as they dont yet know the ropes fully and are not used to the way that things are suppost to be done in that particular environment. But the only way you can learn how to do something is just to go and do it. I understand and can sympathise with people who have this view, as I know full well what it feels like working with professionals who are getting paid to do their work and we are there doing it for free. I hope this doesnt start anything, but I'm just saying what I know from experience.

[MrBoomal]

Kaz, it's not that you are viewed as a pain. It is purely down to practicalities.

My budget has taken a hit of 20%. Which means I cannot afford to take on someone inexperienced and have a member of crew shadow their work.

 

It is difficult at the moment for everyone. If you have just graduated it is doubly hard.

I hope you get the lucky break that everyone needs.

Persevere. The worthy people will all make it. It just may take longer and be a lot harder then what your tutors told you.

[ramdram]

You are the first to say it Kerry, where ARE these nippers going to get work experience, let alone real work?

 

We are trying to be helpful...even to the point of suggesting work in the suburbs...even if there is a element of amdram.

 

There are plenty of smaller theatres...after all London IS a huge area and theatres are not all clustered in the West End. There are even "new" theatres such as here:

 

 

http://www.yat.org.uk/venues/index.php3?vid=1

 

and here for more of their activities:

 

http://www.hamptonhilltheatreschool.co.uk/showcase/default.htm

 

 

(I used to live just round the corner, literally, from that place and it is a nice area in which to live...you don't have to live in Central London btw.)

 

 

Whether or not such theatres offer internships, or even work experience on a show by show basis sort of thing, is for Kelly to discover for herself, and, you may find this of use Kelly:

 

 

http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/list

 

 

Quite a few places to try in that lot, some are even "new" as of this year:

 

 

http://www.arcolatheatre.com/

 

 

but not all the theatres listed are still working of course...

 

To echo above you could start in Wales or, more likely anywhere in the country (and, slightly t-I-c, GG went to another country to work in theatre). In short Kelly IF you want work you will have to look for it, it really is down to you.

 

All the above came via google in about 10 mins btw.

[Kaz10Sylvester]

Thank you for this help, it is much appriciated, and I understand that money is a problem because of all the cuts

[LXbydesign]

Kaz,

 

Take a look at venues like Theatre by the Lake and Theatre Royal in Norwich. Lovely, lovely theatres producing their own shows. Norwich produced the acclaimed Railway Children production.

 

Soooo many producing venues out there in fantastic locations. I just dont understand why newbies think the West-End is the be-all of theatre!!

 

Try and see if you can get in to a venue that does rep. Chichester, National, Glynbourne etc etc.

[Hilary Watts]

Kaz,

 

Take a look at venues like Theatre by the Lake and Theatre Royal in Norwich. Lovely, lovely theatres producing their own shows. Norwich produced the acclaimed Railway Children production.

 

 

I don't want to appear partisan and it's rather OT but was it not the even more lovely Theatre Royal at York who did the recent acclaimed production of the Railway Children (although the earlier Theatreworks production did tour to Norwich after opening at Northampton)?!!

[Tom]

The chance of a West End theatre having a space for an unknown person who is new to the industry is NIL. West End is probably the most critical part of the whole theatre industry. High ticket prices and hotel costs mean that there is NO Room for people who are not FULLY up to speed.

Ha ha ha - have you actually worked with many West End house crews?

 

You do though need to understand the difference between the house staff and the producing company staff.

 

Seriously, I see no reason why you shouldn't get work experience, particularly if it's part of your course work, at a West End venue but the suggestions above of alternative places would probably (IMO) be more interesting. Most importantly, you don't say what sort of "backstage work" you're interested in. Whether it's West End, Off West End or regional rep (or in fact any other company) you're applying to you need to be targeting your enquiry. Decide what you want to do, find out who the most appropriate person to approach is and then sell yourself.