Career in theatre - 16+ options

[golemmings]

DD is passionate about theatre. She has been involved in enough performances to think that she doesn't have the skills to be a performer but she loves back stage. Wardrobe, props, stage manager, sound, lighting... She's supported a number of amateur companies and the professional tech crews.

She started an unrelated T-level last September but now is keen to look at either a degree or an apprenticeship in stage management.

Does anyone have experience in this field?

Is she likely to get into a tech theatre degree or apprenticeship with an unrelated T-level but a CV with evidence dance, drama, musical theatre, choreography and teaching with junior and adult companies?

Is she better to give up on half T-level now and reapply to to the extended performing arts btec in sept (which I believe would still be funded if she starts sept 26).

Her current plan is to quit her current college, restart at a different college in sept with a view to going to Liverpool (lipa) in sept 28 to study tech theatre.

We're happy to support this if it gets her to where she wants to be.

There's a big skills shortage in lighting and sound currently, suggest she look at those. But don't take one of the very specialist degrees, eg Lighting Design, no-one will hire you as an LD straight out of college. A lot of lighting and sound are very heavily computer-based, networking and OSC/midi etc.

I did a 2 year course in stage management and technical theatre at one of the big London drama schools about 15 years ago. I've been working in stage management ever since, but knowing a bit about the other areas always comes in handy. I had no related qualifications before I went to college (I already had a degree in a completely non-related area), and only am-dram experience.

Does she need to do a degree? I know quite a lot of people who've started off crewing at their local venue, did an NVQ or similar and never looked back. One thing to bear in mind is theatre is so badly paid, she wouldn't start playing off a student loan for years after graduating.

When applying to jobs or courses, it's OK to mention performing and choreography/ teaching experience, but keep it very low-key and professional, not am-dram. We don't like to think of our industry as a second/third/fourth choice for performers who couldn't make it.

Thank you. That's really helpful.

She's looking at tech theatre btecs now - found one that is commutable (1hr in the car for late night pick ups) and daily commute only an hour and a half.

We'll deal with the degree /apprenticeship/job issue after first year on that.

Many thanks for your help!

I run a tech theatre degree course, very similar to the LIPA one, and agree with everything @StripedPillowcasesaid!
We would accept unrelated T levels with relevant experience but a performing arts BTEC should give her more insight into what a career backstage would look like and best degree/apprenticeship options.
Good luck to her! It’s not the best paid job in the world but if you love the theatre and want a challenging, varied life then there’s plenty of work out there! We have a real skills shortage. I’ve been in the industry all my life, in stage management and now teaching, and still love it in my 50s. It’s been a great career for me.