Name Rory Jakeman
Age 16
Lives Leicestershire
I applied to be a deputy stage manager (DSM) on His Dark Materials at Curve in Leicester when I saw the opportunity advertised on their website.
The experience was fantastic, learning throughout the course of rehearsals, writing rehearsals reports, prop lists, blocking etc. During performance week I even got to call the show, which was hard but very fun.
I got to work with another DSM and the company stage manager who had worked in the West End before on shows such as Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph.
The show ran for a week in July, and with a company of 70 we put on a great show. There were people from all over Leicestershire who took part, while we were led by the professionals at Curve.
I definitely learned to be more responsible and set a good example. As the stage manager is running the show, people are looking up to you. The experience I got has made me really keen on stage management and now I am looking for more chances like this one.
I would recommend that people do work experience to get a feel for what the profession you are looking at is really like. You may find out during work experience that you in fact do not enjoy the job.
I hope to apply for the National Youth Theatre for stage management and then hopefully build up more experience in theatres to put on my CV and then apply for a London University. My aim would be to eventually work on shows such as Jersey Boys, Lion King and Wicked in the West End.
