TheatreCraft22 - Programme

TheatreCraft is the UK’s largest FREE event for anyone aged 16-30 seeking an offstage career in theatre

Tuesday

Masterclass // www.masterclass.org.uk

Masterclass is a home from home for aspiring creatives, supporting generations of young theatre makers to hone their skills, develop their own work, market themselves and find their place in our industry. Many of the biggest names in theatre took their first steps with Masterclass. Become a member to learn from Masterclasses with industry legends, in our beautiful home at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, take part in our new writing programme, find paid internships and become part of a supportive community.

Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre are membership organisations for organisations and individuals. They run OfficialLondonTheatre.com, the biggest theatre website in London. Follow them for news about the annual Official London Theatre Sale (tickets start at £10); Kids Week (kids go free throughout August); full details on West End Live (a free yearly event in Trafalgar Square) and check out TKTS online and at their Leicester Square booth for on-the-day and discount tickets every day. They are proud to support audiences and workforce of the future, so all profits go back into supporting the industry.

The Royal Opera House transports its audiences to other worlds through award winning music, dance and theatre. The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House bring together the world’s most extraordinary artists in more than 500 performances every year on two world-class stages. The Royal Opera House is open every day from 12pm with a programme of daytime events, activities and festivals for people of all ages.

Mousetrap Theatre Projects // www.mousetrap.org.uk

Mousetrap Theatre Projects believes that theatre has the power to change lives. It’s a place for imagination, education and creativity – but not always an accessible one. Each year, they give 12,000 – 14,000 disabled and disadvantaged young people the chance to fall in love with theatre through access and education work. From playwriting projects to employability workshops, they use drama as a tool to educate, challenge and inspire young people and help them to achieve their full potential.

SOLT & UK Theatre // www.solt.co.uk

The Royal Opera House // www.roh.org.uk

Welcome to

TheatreCraft 2022

We are thrilled to welcome you to TheatreCraft 2022 - the 16th annual gathering of enthusiastic young theatre-makers. Taking place in London’s famous Royal Opera House, along with neighbouring West End venues, TheatreCraft is a fantastic event that is only made possible by the generous support of the wonderful sponsors, venue hosts, theatre professionals and companies you’ll meet today.

Whether you’re interested in a creative, technical or administrative career, there’s a role for everyone in the theatre industry and we’re confident that after today you’ll be well on your way to finding it. There is an abundance of roles in theatre, both on and off the stage, and TheatreCraft is here to introduce you to career options that you may not have known even existed. There are so many reasons why you should pursue a career in theatre – TheatreCraft is your opportunity to discover them.

TheatreCraft is a totally unique opportunity, so: ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask at the panel talks and Q&A sessions, or take part in some of the wide variety of workshops on offer. Get involved and speak to the many industry professionals and education providers who will be in the Marketplace throughout the day.

“We are very excited to be back for TheatreCraft - in person at last! The future of theatre depends on you, the new creatives and backstage practitioners who will make brilliant shows that delight and inspire audiences. This year’s TheatreCraft is, as always, packed with industry experts to inspire, support, guide and inform you about all the careers our industry has to offer, so make the most of it. Strike up conversations, jump into workshops, explore backstage and get your questions ready for the panel talks. We will look forward to seeing the relationships and opportunities that arise.

Claire Walker & Hannah Essex - Co-CEOs of Society Of London Theatre and UK Theatre

How to plan your day

With so much for you to do at TheatreCraft 2022, here are some pointers to help you get the most out of your day.

Panel Talks

Pages 13 - 19

Panel Talks will be held throughout the day in the Linbury Theatre. Join conversations on Making Theatre Affordable, Making Theatre Sustainable and Making Theatre with New Technologies. End your day with our Super Panel, Freelancers Make Theatre Happen. Panel Talks are highlighted in pink on the schedule.

Workshops & Tours

Pages 13 - 19

If you have booked your place on a workshop or tour, these will take place in various locations at the Royal Opera House, Lyceum Theatre and Novello Theatre. Check the schedule carefully for the different locations, use the map on the back of the programme to help you navigate, and if you have any trouble, ask a pink T-shirt. If you have not pre-booked, you cannot be guaranteed a place on a workshop or tour, but if you arrive before the start time there may be a few spaces available. Workshops are white in the schedule, tours are highlighted in blue.

Marketplace & Info

Pages 20 - 21

The Marketplace in the PAUL HAMLYN HALL is the perfect place to chat one-on-one with industry professionals, ask questions about training and employment and find out more about starting a career in theatre. This is also where you’ll find the INFO DESK, where our team is on hand to help you find the location of a workshop or talk, answer any questions you might have and find you a quiet space if you need it.

First Steps, Next Steps

If you’re exploring a career in theatre, the Marketplace and Workshops will help you really dig into the different roles. If you are already settled in the biz, you may find the Marketplace and Panel Talks of most interest. But of course, you are free to enjoy whichever parts of the day suit you most.

Filming & Photography

Please note that our offical photographers and Media Team will be capturing the day through photography and film. Feel free to take your own photos, but please note that no photography is permitted in backstage areas, in auditoriums or during tours. If you are unsure, please ask one of our volunteers.

Can’t get enough of TheatreCraft? Head over to our social media channels where the conversation continues! Don’t forget to tag & follow us@TheatreCraft, we’ll look out for your reels and tweets, ready to share with our followers. Use the hashtag #TheatreCraft22 to share your thoughts and journey with the TheatreCraft community, and see what everyone else is up to! Check out the hashtag #TCJobs for our digital jobs board from exhibitors.

Social Media Jobs Board

Lighting Tour Backstage at Royal Opera House

Set & Production Tour Backstage at Royal Opera House

PANEL TALK

Making Theatre A ordable

Schedule

Royal Opera House; Ground Floor Cafe 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Led by the Royal Opera House Team

Royal Opera House; Ground Floor Cafe 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

Led by the Royal Opera House Team

Royal Opera House; Linbury Theatre

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Led by Robbie King, Head of Communications at Battersea Arts Centre, Tom Ryalls, Fundraiser, Writer & Organiser and Zoe Spurr, Lighting Designer & Equity Member

Royal Opera House; Crush Room

Prosthetics and Prop Making

Careers In Technical Theatre

‘You've Written a Play. What Now?' Tips for Emerging Playwrights

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Led by Lisa Martin, Senior Prop Making Tutor at Mountview

Royal Opera House; Conservatory 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Led by Steve Macluskie, Lecturer in Stage Technology at Royal Conservatoire Scotland

Lyceum Theatre; Ambassador Lounge

Led by Rob Young, Head of Production and Technical Training at LAMDA

Novello; Ivor Bar

Using Projection In Theatre

Costume Tour Backstage at Royal Opera House

Technical Tour Backstage at The Lion King

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Careers In Stagecra 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Led by Rachel Taylor and Imogen Sarre, Agents at Casarotto Ramsay

Novello Theatre; Waldorf Bar

Led by Dick Straker, Video Designer at UAL

Royal Opera House; Ground Floor Cafe 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Led by the Royal Opera House Team

Lyceum Theatre; Foyer 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Led by Nancy Shakerley, Disney Theatrical Group’s Education & Audience Engagement Manager

E

Lighting Tour Backstage

Backstage CVs to Get You In The

A

With

Started In

Being An Agent

Getting Into Production Management

to

PANEL TALK

Theatre

Tour

Knowing Your Rights In The WorkPlace

Arming The Stage

Novello Theatre; Schubert Bar

Designing For Live Performance; Set & Costume

Accessibility & Diversity in Theatre

The Director’s Toolkit

-

Led by Karrim Jalali, Equity’s Industrial O icial for Fringe and Independent Theatre

Royal Opera House; Conservatory

Led by Royal Opera House Team

Novello; Ivor Bar

Led by Helen Davies, Principle Lecturer, Design for Stage and Screen, and Sharon Bainbridge, Course Leader for Costume Design and Construction at Nottingham Trent University.

Lyceum Theatre; Ambassador Lounge

-

Led by Gloria Louis, Equality, Inclusion and Diversity O icer at Delfont Mackintosh

Royal Opera House; Crush Room

-

Led by James Seager, Creative Director and Justin Masterson, Senior Producer at Les Enfants Terribles

Novello Theatre; Waldorf Bar

Approaches to Sound Design

Keeping Up with Costume on Hamilton

Set & Production Backstage Tour at Royal Opera House

Technical Tour Backstage at The Lion King

Props Tour Backstage at Royal Opera House

-

Led by Peter Rice, Course Leader in BA Sound at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama

Novello Theatre; Auditorium

-

Led by Chris Boone, Technical Director at Delfont Mackintosh, and the costume department from Hamilton

Royal Opera House; Ground Floor Cafe

Led by Royal Opera House Team

Lyceum Theatre; Foyer

-

-

Led by Nancy Shakerley, Disney Theatrical Group’s Education & Audience Engagement Manager

Royal Opera House; Ground Floor Cafe

Led by Royal Opera House Team

-

PANEL TALK

Making Theatre with New Technologies

Wellbeing at Work

Royal Opera House; Linbury Theatre

PM - 3:30 PM

Led by Tony Gayle, Sound Designer, Jason Larcombe, Senior Project Manager at White Light and and Emma Wilson, Director of Technical, Production and Costume at the Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House; Crush Room 2:45 PM -

Led by National Youth Theatre Team

Royal Opera House; Conservatory

Lighting Design: From the Page to the Stage

Careers in Programming

PM -

Led by Hansjorg Schmidt, Programme Director and Ben Ratcli e, Lighting Design Subject Leader at Rose Bruford

Lyceum Theatre; Ambassador Lounge

What Does a Marketing Manager Do?

The Producer’s ToolKit

Technical Tour Backstage at The Lion King

Costume Tour Backstage at Royal Opera House

PANEL TALK

Freelancers Make Theatre Happen

PM

PM

PM -

Led by Joe Bates, Executive Director and Fiona Ross Learning and Participation Co-ordinator at Dance Consortium, Michelle Norton, Director of Breakin’ Convention, Marissa Garbo, Programming Manager and Richard Cross, Head of Programme Management at Sadler’s Wells

Novello Theatre; Ivor Bar

Led by Gemma Nelson, Marketing Manager at The Stage

Novello Theatre; Schubert Bar

PM 2:45 PM -

PM -

PM

PM

Led by Monique Foulger, Associate Producer at Opera Holland Park

Lyceum Theatre;

PM -

Led by Nancy Shakerley, Disney Theatrical Group’s

& Audience Engagement Manager

Royal Opera House; Ground Floor Cafe

Led by Royal Opera House Team

PM -

PM

Royal Opera House; Linbury Theatre 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Led by Paule Constable, award winning Lighting Designer, Ameena Hamid, Producer and Angela Michaels, Freelance Theatre Director. Hosted by Claire Walker, Co-CEO of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre.

The Marketplace Exhibitors

All front of house areas have stepfree access – please ask an Usher or TheatreCraft Volunteer for directions

GROUND FLOOR CAFE

F R OM T H E F O Y E R :

U P T H E S T AI R S T O

D OW N TH E RAMP T O

Almeida Theatre

Association for Lighting Production and Design

Association of British Theatre Technicians

Association of Sound Designers Ambassadors Theatre Group

BECTU

Casarotto Ramsay Associates

CREATEBritain

Dance Consortium

Delfont Mackintosh Theatres

Dewynters

Disney Theatrical Productions

Equity

Glyndebourne Productions Hackney Empire

Les Enfants Terribles

LW Theatres

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

Masterclass

Mayor of London’s Creative Industries Hub Mousetrap Theatre Projects

National Theatre

National Youth Theatre Open Door Opera Holland Park Pleasance Theatre Trust Production Managers Forum

Rose Theatre

Royal Opera House Royal Shakespeare Company Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre Stage One TAIT

The JMK Trust

The Mono Box

The Old Vic Theatre Trust

The Stage & Get Into Theatre Theatre Deli UK Theatre

We Teach Drama Ltd White Light Ltd

Year Out Drama Arts University Plymouth Backstage Academy Bath Spa University Bristol Old Vic Theatre School East 15 Acting School Federation of Drama Schools Guildford School of Acting Guildhall School of Music & Drama LAMDA Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Mountview Nottingham Trent University RADA Rose Bruford College Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Royal Central School for Speech and Drama, University of London Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama University of Arts London - Central Saint Martins & Wimbledon College of Arts University Centre South Essex University for Creative Arts

So, what next?

Now you’ve started to make some connections and had a taster of what working in theatre could be like, this is our guide to getting your career in theatre off to the perfect start...

Follow up on your notes! It’s so important to email the people you spoke to, follow them on social media, visit their websites, go and see the plays they spoke about! Not only will this cement the relationship, they may think of you the next time they have a job opportunity... After all, personal connections matter!

Visit the websites of the exhibitors you’ve met here today. Sign up to their newsletters , find out what opportunities you can get involved with and follow the companies on social media to be the first to find out about their news and recruitment.

If you can’t remember which stalls you visited, just check out the Exhibitors tab on our website for the full list.

Have a look for work experience opportunities! Work experience is a great opportunity to learn more about your chosen career on the job. Lots of theatre companies and organisations can help you out, but we wouldn’t recommend accepting any unpaid jobs or internships!

Do not just use one cover letter. When you start applying for jobs, don’t write one generic cover letter and send it to everyone. It is really unimaginative and rarely gets you the job. Carefully consider the role specification and signpost how you meet the requirements. Also, if you met the employer at TheatreCraft, tell them!

If you can’t find work, make work.

If you’re struggling to find work, there’s nothing to stop you writing your own script or collaborating with friends to create something new!

Theatre is a really small industryeveryone knows everyone. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.

Come back - and stay in touch! We miss you already. You may find yourself still hunting for the perfect job next year - and that’s totally fine and perfectly normal. Just come back to TheatreCraft 2023! Keep us up to date with your successes and your struggles - we’ll do everything we can to help.

Sign up to our newsletter and follow us on social media - we’ll keep you updated with news and info throughout the year.

Twitter - @TheatreCraft Instagram - @TheatreCraft Facebook.com/TheatreCraftFair

Thank You

The organisers of TheatreCraft would like to extend their thanks to the team at the Royal Opera House for hosting the event, as well as the Lyceum Theatre and Novello Theatre for generously hosting some of our workshop and tours programme.

TheatreCraft would not be possible without the support of our Major Sponsor, White Light, Associate Sponsor, John Good and our media partners Masterclass, Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, Royal Opera House and Mousetrap Theatre Projects.

We are enormously grateful to all the professionals who have kindly given their time to run workshops, be part of talks and exhibit in the Marketplace, making today’s event possible.

We would also like to thank our BSL InterpretersJuliet Enebi, Natasha Trantom and Pettra St Hilaire, our Mousetrap Youth Forum and Royal Opera House apprentices. Also our venue hosts Lili Sanchez, Nancy Shakerley, Laura O’Day and Ingrid Turner.

The Team

Siobhan Walsh Event Coordinator Charlotte Wallis Event Assistants Gift Onomor, Alex Donnachie and Rebecca Lightburn Press Amy Down (WDW Entertainment)

Project Manager

Marketing

Rosie Snell Graphic Design Ellen Walpole Website Holly Whytock

Event Photographer

Aemelia Taylor Blogger Sophie O’Sullivan

And of course, a huge thanks to all of our wonderful TheatreCraft volunteers!

Partner Steering Group

Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust : Clare Annamalai Royal Opera House: Sarah Waterman Mousetrap Theatre Projects: Susan Whiddington CBE