Meet our first Access and Communications Intern
Leeds Heritage Theatres has been delighted to offer another internship this year with the University of Leeds – this time with a focus on supporting the Communications and Learning teams to improve accessibility. We spoke to our first Access and Communications Intern, Lauren Felsenstein, about her time here.
Written by Lauren Felsenstein
About Lauren
I have just finished my second year studying Global Creative Industries at University of Leeds, and I saw this opportunity as a great way to gain experience within an arts and cultural institution. I’ve loved my time at Leeds Heritage Theatres – arriving in a theatre every day for work isn’t what everyone gets the chance to do! This internship has given me hands-on experience and improved my confidence in accessible marketing and communications – so I’m feeling ready for my next step which is a placement year with the University’s Careers Service in managing opportunities for students.
Being the first Access and Communications Intern at Leeds Heritage Theatres has felt really rewarding, particularly as this opportunity is a collaboration between the University of Leeds and I have had lifelong involvement in the arts.
During this internship, I have had the opportunity to:
Be involved in press nights.
Shadow a workshop in the theatre (the young people’s questions about the history of City Varieties never failed to amuse me).
Make access guides for both The Grand and The Varieties to help those with access needs throughout their experience at the venues.
Attend meetings with both the Learning and Engagement team and Communications team, where I contributed my own ideas.
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This short but intensive internship has challenged me in more ways than one – but it takes the pressure off when you’re welcomed by the warmest team, and their enthusiasm about the importance of my role has been greatly appreciated.
Lauren Felsenstein in the auditorium at Leeds Grand Theatre. Credit Kelly Scotney.
About the internship
The application process for this internship was ideal. I didn’t have to submit a cover letter, it was just my CV and answers for two questions about what attracted me to the job and previous experience in projects related to accessibility and inclusion. Being given these questions was beneficial, as it clarified what the interviewers were looking for and helped me focus my answers on the most important information about myself.
After receiving the interview invitation, I was both thrilled and grateful for the chance to showcase my skills through a task and a prepared presentation. Despite the short notice, I was determined to prove I was right for the role. While waiting nervously, I found comfort in knowing the panel had once been interviewees too. Having the questions in advance eased the pressure and allowed me to give in-depth responses. The experience was positive, with a relaxed atmosphere and moments of informal conversation. I learned that when you genuinely care about something, your responses come naturally, and enthusiasm becomes essential, especially in an internship centred around supporting others.
Lauren taking photos at Leeds Grand Theatre. Credit Kelly Scotney.
Lauren taking photos at Leeds Grand Theatre. Credit Kelly Scotney.
My highlights
One of the obvious perks of this internship has been the opportunity to stay and watch the shows I’ve helped with during press nights. In my first week, I got to see The Rocky Horror Show – quite the way to kick off my theatre experience! My second week I stayed to watch Little Women – a little escape from the week’s routine. Additionally, I toured the theatres during the day to learn the routes which gave me the chance to see the set-up for each night’s show. It was exciting to catch a glimpse of costumes backstage, and I even had my own star moment standing on the stages of the empty auditoriums. The biggest highlight for me was being surrounded by people who equally share my passion for the arts. Spending each day in a theatre space inspired the work I completed and strengthened my belief that this is the industry I want to pursue after my degree.
My biggest learning moments
The nature of working in access and communications is being able to understand other people’s perspectives and, while I would consider myself strong at this, it has taken great attention to detail when creating the Access Guides. There are aspects of going to the theatre that I used to take for granted but, for many people, those same things can be real physical or mental challenges. Realising this has meant spending a lot of time learning how accessible documents are written, using the correct communication style, and figuring out how to create guides that truly work for all needs.
Lauren’s takeaways
My time at Leeds Heritage Theatres has helped build my adaptability. I’ve worked with a wide range of staff, each with their own ways of working and different expectations of me. While writing the access guides, I’ve learned how to shape my work to fit the needs of each person and their role within the organisation. Attending various meetings has taught me how professional meetings run, and the ‘etiquette’ involved. Listening to busy brainstorming sessions has been especially interesting, and it’s made me feel ready to confidently participate in any professional setting.
This experience has really set me up for a future in arts and culture by giving me a backstage look (no pun intended) at how different departments collaborate to produce incredible campaigns and host experiences for all people of all ages. Working on the Access Guides has provided me with the tools and understanding to help arts organisations make their spaces more inclusive so that everyone can enjoy the magic of theatre!
And, finally, being part of the Learning and Engagement team has sparked a new interest in educating people about all things arts and culture related, something I had never considered before. For my placement year, I’m excited to bring the same enthusiasm as the Leeds Heritage Theatres team when encouraging students to jump into work experience and volunteering opportunities in and around Leeds.
Lauren Felsenstein.
Lauren’s advice
Here are the things I would tell someone wanting to apply for an internship:
Any experience is valuable: Never feel disheartened if you don’t have a long work history under your belt when applying for a role. I never realised how many transferable skills I’ve gained from my time at school and university; just think of how many situational examples you can talk about from doing group projects.
Shift your perspective: Researching a company’s mission and values not only helps you stand out in terms of knowledge, but it also shows to employers that you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their goals, rather than just what you can get from the job. Employers are always looking for young people to bring in fresh ideas and a new perspective – that’s you!
Make the most of every opportunity: Got the job? Great! While it’s important to focus on your main responsibilities, say yes to any optional events or meetings you’re invited to. Don’t hesitate to take initiative, like asking colleagues if there are other activities happening around the company that you can join in. Putting yourself out there can lead to new opportunities, and you never know who you might meet along the way.
All questions matter: The purpose of an internship is to learn, and your colleagues want you to gain as much as possible from the experience – don’t be afraid to clarify anything you don’t understand.
Leeds Heritage Theatres Engagement Fund
Every year, we work with young people across the city – in schools, youth groups and other sessions – to help them build skills, confidence and pride through our creative learning and engagement programme. All donations to this fund will help us to continue our work and reach more people across the region.
