If you just one thing today, make sure it’s one of these…
Get yourself some work experience
And when you’ve done that, get yourself some more. If you don’t know where to start, visit our work experience section.
Sign up to artsjobs
It doesn’t matter if you don’t think you’ll actually be looking for a job for years. You still need to know what jobs are out there – and what you can expect to get paid to do them. Sign up at artsjobs.org.uk
Join a youth theatre
Some will be better than others at offering backstage and offstage opportunities, but you don’t know until you give them a call. Find your local youth theatre at nayt.org.uk
Visit your local Arts Council website
Visit the Arts Council website and download all the relevant information you can find. You will discover information sheet about careers and be able to read press releases about what is going on in theatre in your area.
Take advantage of opportunities at school/ college
Make sure you take advantage of every opportunity your school or college offers. If they don’t currently let students get involved with the technical or other aspects of shows, ask them if you can be the first. Offer your support with marketing or fundraising. Create some ideas for the set or costumes. Show an interest in the sound and lighting of the show. If you are at university, you don’t have to be studying drama to get involved in student theatre.
Subscribe to industry bible The Stage
It costs £36 to sign up for six months of The Stage. Ask for a subscription for your next birthday.
Sign up for the free e-newsletters
Sign up for the e-newsletters at Arts Professional and Arts Industry
Join the Get Into Theatre group on Facebook
It’s a group for people who want to work in theatre. Join the Get Into Theatre Facebook group. Or myspace if you prefer. Or both.
Check out our recommended reading list
Everything on our reading list has been highly recommended by people who are currently working in the theatre industry
Go to see as many shows as you can
As you probably already know, you can often get a much reduced ticket for a first night performance.
Q. What would you do differently if you did your work experience again?
A. I’d probably ask more questions and be a little bit cheeky and ask for a job at the end of it. Why not?
Lateisha Lovelace-Hanson, 18, Huddersfield
Q. What’s the best thing about your job? A. The people I meet
Q. And the worst? A. Some of the other people I meet
Frances Anne Rafferty, theatre manager, The Lyric
Recommended reading
Get Into Theatre has asked industry experts to name their most inspiring reads and the books that made them who they are today.
We’ve got books on acting, directing, theatre design, marketing, stage management, street arts and much more.
