Name Sophie Willis
Age 16
Hometown Water Orton, near Birmingham
I did a week’s work experience at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Year 10 and absolutely loved it! It actually was the best week I’ve ever had!
Initially the whole idea of work experience scared the life out of me. We had to do two weeks last summer for the school syllabus. I was worried about going into the world of work, and not only was there the actual getting a placement, but there was a question of travel and the time I’d have to get up!
My first idea was to get a placement at a theatre, as I desperately want to be an actress. After contacting more than 25 different theatres, the general response was, ‘you’re too young,’ ‘we’re closed,’ and they were the ones who actually replied. I found it exceedingly demoralising, the constant rejection and lack of enthusiasm from everyone involved.
My dad, who is a radio engineer, suggested the Royal Shakespeare Company and I fired off a covering email, describing my personality, enthusiasm and school life. I quickly received another email informing me that I was too young.
So it looked like that was it…until I contacted them again in March, to discover the fact that they had set up a week-long course for Year 10 and 11 students! Brilliant! But I still had to apply; an extensive application form and CV, and to my surprise I was called for an interview. After attending the interview (and many bitten fingernails later!), I received the phone call I had been waiting for…I was in the top 20 applicants of 500 for the placement.
My dad worked about 20 minutes away, and generously drove me the hour each way every day. If he hadn’t then I would have had to get two busses and walk quite a considerable distance. That would have taken two hours each way, but it would still have been worth it! The daily routine involved leaving the house at 6.15am and returning at 7pm.
The course had been specifically designed for pupils like myself, and I got on well with the other students. Over the week I did set design, hair, make-up, costume, special effects, wig-making, costume cleaning, lighting, sound design, front of house, prop design, finance, production planning, stage management, prompt, set construction, learning lines and even a voice coach session…and I mustn’t forget meeting Patrick Stewart and David Tennant who were both playing in Hamlet at the time!
The voice-coaching session was my favourite part. It was the most theatrical activity and made me look at different ways of using my voice that I hadn’t considered previously.
I thoroughly loved the entire week. I would strongly recommend anyone to pester the RSC until they give in and run the course again! Keep asking and sending off CVs until you get where you want to be. My work experience has helped me with college and job applications, as they both like to see that you have some real experience.
When I got back to school, most of my friends had hated their time, but my experience could not have been more different.
