internships in london theatre
the top internships in the UK are sought after by aspiring arts professionals
If you’re researching how to get your foot in the door at some of the UK’s leading theatre, opera and dance organisations then you really need to check out their internship schemes.
Many (but not all) of these are unpaid but provide a great range of opportunities for recent graduates and students who want to learn about a particular organisation or role from the inside, network like crazy and maybe just find themselves making a coffee or two for some influential people along the way!
Be warned that these internships are highly sought after, usually limited in number and often only available for short periods so it’s best to keep an eye on what’s coming up by signing up to mailing lists or RSS feeds.
internship roles are unpaid – interns earn experience of professional life and add skills to their CV
In an average week, you may be:
- Updating the website
- Sending out e-newsletters
- Preparing marketing materials for a new show
- Researching and updating contacts for the database
- Proofreading and editing copy for PR mailings or website content
- Assisting with audience development projects.
theatre internships in London are competitive and highly exclusive
Internships in the London theatre scene are highly sought-after. Many of them are extremely selective, and if you’re lucky enough to earn a spot, you’ll be in great company. You’ll work with some of the best directors and producers in the world, and your main job will be to make sure their productions run smoothly. Having an internship under your belt is one of the best ways to establish an industry presence for yourself–you can start making connections and getting referrals from colleagues who’ve worked with you before. While some positions are closed to international applicants (for example, if they require British citizenship), many internships will allow anyone who meets their criteria. By looking for positions that don’t require UK residency or citizenship, you can find opportunities that will work for you!
interns will work alongside a production’s management, marketing, sales and artistic teams
You will be part of a team working closely with the production’s management, marketing, sales and artistic teams. You’ll be working in a fast moving and exciting environment where you’ll gain day-to-day experience of the ins and outs of theatre production. You’ll receive hands-on training in your role and have the opportunity to observe other departments so you can learn more about different job roles within the theatre industry.
The internship is an excellent way to build up your CV as well as meeting others who share an interest in theatre production.
some internships are at companies such as Shakespeare’s Globe, others at individual productions
It’s common knowledge that the theatre industry is full of opportunities for internships. Here are some of the companies and productions that offer internships:
- Shakespeare’s Globe
- Almeida Theatre in London, England
- Arcola Theatre in London, England
- Bush Theatre in London, England
Shakespeare’s Globe offers a variety of internship opportunities for college students. For example, interns can work as part of their Learning and Participation Department to aid in their education programs by assisting teachers and organizing events. Interns can also apply to be part of the Globe Education department, which works with local schools and community groups around England. In addition to working with children from ages 7-19 years old, interns also help organize workshops for teachers and create digital resources for schools across the country. Their Production department provides an opportunity for interns to work alongside professional designers on costumes or stage designs during rehearsals. For example, one intern was able to help design props such as a throne used during rehearsals at Shakespeare’s Globe! You never know what you’ll be doing next!
theatre internships in London offer great opportunities to learn about working in the UK theatre industry
Internships can be a fantastic way to get into the industry, or to move from one part of it to another. You will have the opportunity to meet people who are already working in theatre and build contacts that could prove vital later on in your career.
London theatre internships are unpaid, which is a drawback for some students and graduates, but considering the competition for places, this does not seem to deter people from applying.
Internships are available in all areas of theatre production: marketing and press; artistic; casting; literary management; stage management; design; technical theatre. Interns usually work a set amount of hours per week (sometimes more) and they receive an induction upon starting their internship period.