A week at work in theatre
When walking down stage corridor at Leeds Grand Theatre this July, we were embarking on our second work experience delivery of the year and I overheard a young person say “this is what dreams are made of!” as we caught a glimpse of the stage. What followed was a meaningful, enriching week, teaching young people about the sector, the roles it takes to make the magic happen, and the ways they might be able to see themselves in those roles…
Written by Sarah Winstanley.
Project overview
I thought to myself, in one week, is it possible to give a group of Year 10 students a real flavour of what it’s like to work in a theatre? The answer is yes!
Upon delivering our seventh work experience project across four years with three schools, we wanted to gather some legacy feedback from participants to take time to reflect on the past few years, evaluating the project’s influence beyond one week, and seeing if there has been a longer-term impact on the students we’ve been lucky enough to work with.
Credit: Almir Datoo
We saw a gap in the way work experience is offered to Year 10 students and wanted to create something to make it feel meaningful, inspiring, and a way for young people to dabble in lots of different roles in the arts, whilst also developing self-confidence along the way.
The project had its weeklong pilot in 2023 with 15 students from South Craven School. Working across both City Varieties Music Hall and Leeds Grand Theatre, we delivered the project focusing on three main strands: practical experience of working in a theatre by producing a mock show, working on personal development skills through practical drama activities, and finally, having the opportunity to work with industry professionals. This week was not a performance week, but a glimpse into the roles behind the scenes, that enable theatre to flourish as a modern business, rooted in Leeds, with a rich heritage and story to tell.
Legacy and impact
Although we want the students to have an amazing week, we hope the project goes beyond enjoyment, focusing on lasting impact after the final presentations.
Through our practical, personal development sessions, we try to meet the young people where they are, and deliver the sessions to their needs, interests and confidence levels.
Credit: Chris Coote
“The people we worked with… created a really safe and relaxed environment where I felt comfortable to be myself and express my ideas”
Past Participant from South Craven School.
Crucially, we want to give students a toolkit to use in interviews, applications, and even auditions in the future. One student said, “it made me more aware of how to present my skills and things about myself that are valuable to a job”. We have observed this time and time again when students come in on Monday morning unable to look us in the eye, and we wonder how we will ever get them to the point where they can present back. One student told me that she was really proud of herself for speaking up in her group and standing on a stage gave her the self-belief that she can do things out of her comfort zone.
Confidence growth is the most recurrent feedback we receive and something that will support students in any career avenue. Students described the project as safe, relaxed and welcoming. They felt comfortable expressing their ideas, asking questions. One student said, “working outside of school really developed my confidence and communication skills” which rings so true, having had students look at me like I’m utterly mad when we stand in a circle to play a game of ‘Zip, Zap, Boing’. Yet fast forward a few days later, and they are leading a drama game for their peers, as part of a session plan they’ve pitched to the Head of Fundraising for a mock funding bid for their chosen show!
Something that inspires me when thinking about the legacy of the project is the newfound career imagination. Often when we tell them about their technical demo, they don’t seem connected… until they have a Q&A with some of our amazing technicians! They show them all the tricks you can do at the lighting desk and then we spend half a day directing peers on the stage and designing the lighting state for a song from their show. I find that, through this activity, students who haven’t felt fully won over by being in a theatre for a week come to life, and realise there really is something for everyone – being a performer is just one of many rewarding careers in the sector.
“It made me think about other jobs that would be nice to do in the theatre and made me realise how many jobs there are in this profession.”
Past Participant from South Craven School.
Credit: Chris Coote
In the workplace
I am passionate about the sense of belonging young people feel in our venues. When we work with the Comms team to deliver a session on photocalls to promote our mock shows, the young people often can’t believe that being a Social Media Officer could possibly be a real job! Showing them real life footage and photographs of our backstage antics with actors for socials often sparks a connection between them, their interests and their city, not to mention their transferable skills using different social media platforms. I have seen many a wacky and wonderful photo-op in our venues, and the students certainly look at home posing in different locations in the theatre.
Some students referenced that work experience solidified their subject choices for A-Level. Although one participant concluded theatre was “not really my thing”, they described the week as enjoyable and worthwhile, while another stated that it has inspired them to study Maths at A-Level after learning about finance through tasks and a Q&A with our Finance Manager who has supported the project each year.
Credit: Chris Coote
“It’s great interacting with the young people and answering their questions about working in theatre and my role in the Finance Team in the Q&A session.”
Beth Ellis, Finance Manager
This shows that meaningful work experience helps young people make better-informed decisions, whether it confirms an interest in the sector or enables them to consider other paths at such a formative stage in their school career. And don’t be fooled, we still have many budding performers in our midst at work experience too!
We may never know exactly what our participants will go on to do. What matters is knowing that, even in a small way, we may have helped them find their confidence to take that next step towards something they love.
Whether it’s inspiring them to pursue a subject or job role they’re passionate about, giving them more self-confidence, or simply creating a fun and memorable experience, we’re proud to have shared our passion for the arts with them. Because sometimes, hands-on experiences, a supportive environment and the chance to just ‘have a go’ can make a bigger impact than we realise. So, I’ll end with this quote from a past participant which sums it up better than I can:
“I think my work experience week was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I made the absolute most of. Not only does LHT teach you about theatre and all the roles, but also treats you as adults and I made some very valuable memories. I learnt loads about theatre, making friends along the way.”
Credit: Chris Coote
Leeds Heritage Theatres Engagement Fund
Every year, we work with over 10,000 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 Leeds City Region.
