"Making a mistake in front of press can be embarrassing"

Hometown
I used to live near Bracknell in Berkshire with my parents, but I now live in Northampton

What do you do?
Press and marketing assistant, Royal & Derngate

What was your very first role in theatre?
This is my first full time job in theatre

What else have you done in theatre?
Press and marketing assistant during Edinburgh Fringe Festival at C Venues, Edinburgh

Work experience in the marketing department, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire

Have you got qualifications?
A history degree from University of Southampton plus A-levels and GCSEs

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
I did temp work as customer care assistant at Fujitsu-Siemens while applying for jobs at Edinburgh Festival

How did you make the move to working in theatre?
Gaining work experience and applying to all relevant jobs that came up on websites such as the Guardian, Arts Hub etc and in publications such as The Stage and Arts Professional

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A journalist

What do you do all day?
* Dealing with press on the phone or via email is a daily occurrence to arrange interviews, competitions and features
* Reading local papers every day to gauge and archive coverage and get ideas for future features/publicity
* Accompanying actors to interviews
* Planning press campaigns for longer running shows

What’s the best thing about your job?
* Being creative with ideas for features and interviews
* Being involved in the process of putting on a production
* Seeing results from your work, both in print/on TV/on radio and in sales figures

And the worst?
* Making a mistake in front of press can be embarrassing and have repercussions, as the media is a gateway to the public and your image as a company can be affected if it is negatively portrayed.
* When press are unsupportive or negative towards you and the company

What’s your dream job in theatre?
Communications/marketing manager

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
* Gain work experience in the field you want to enter
* Know what you want to do and don’t give up trying to get there
* Apply for all jobs at your level that are in the field you are interested in – it’s a game of numbers and interview experience can be very advantageous in terms of gaining experience and future contacts.