TEENAGERS Fin Thomas, Jenny-Lu Deane, Harry Foreman and Rebecca Hinde are all taking part in an innovative project at Theatre Royal Bath which will see young people stage an event from scratch.
The 14 and 15-year-olds from Frome have become junior apprentices in the innovative project sponsored by city lawyers Mogers, to give an insight into the variety of careers available at a major arts organisation.
The young people are taking over the Theatre Royal’s egg theatre for two weeks and will be responsible for every aspect of producing an event. This will include researching, booking and contracting professionals, creating a marketing strategy to publicise the night, as well as liaising with the technical department on its needs.
Fin said, “I wanted to get involved because I really enjoy drama and I know the egg is a very good theatre and I’m hoping to learn how to put on a production and enhance my skills.”
Jenny-Lu added, “The theatre’s work experience looked really fun and interesting and I wanted to see how a theatre runs and what happens behind the scenes to put on an event/show.”
Harry said, “It was a great opportunity to get involved and learn about how a professional, successful theatre works. I’m hoping to learn what it’s like to have a job at a fully operational place of work and learn about the theatre.”
And Rebecca added, “I wanted to get involved in a new theatre that is out of my comfort zone, and I want to learn from professionals about what working in a theatre is like, and experience the atmosphere of a successfully run theatre.”
The two week project involves different GCSE students each week, with the final event taking place on 19th July.
Steven Treharne, managing partner of Queen Square based Mogers said, “The Theatre Royal’s initiative gives young people structured work activities and they will be working alongside industry professionals including ourselves on a real-life project.
“The project gives a real insight into all aspects of how a professional theatre operates and the career opportunities that exist beyond those acting on the stage.”
Acting creative learning producer Lizzy Cummins said, “This scheme gives students a high-quality experience of how events are produced in a theatre setting. Working alongside professionals they are given ownership of a project, leaving them energised and excited about the possibilities ahead of them.”
